Welcome to IONs, a team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of optical nanotechnologies at the intersection of chemistry, physics, and computer science.
Get in touch or check other opportunities: Become part of the IONs team!
Meet The Team
Principal Investigator
Dr. Riccardo Marin
Riccardo has 10+ years in the preparation of molecular and nanomaterials with optical properties appplied in imaging and sensing. A design enthusiast, his interests beyond academia include enogastronomy and fitness.
Project Manager
Dr. Irene Sancho Casado
Irene is an organic chemist who oversees project management and coordinates administrative and information technology activities.
Related projects: MAtCHLESS
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Araceli de Aquino Samper
Araceli has several years of experience working on gold complexes and the study of their photophysics. Her work at IONs entails the development of multiparametric luminescent sensors.
Related projects: MAtCHLESS
Postdoctoral Researcher
Dr. Liyan Ming
Liyan is an expert of in vivo luminescence imaging and sensing, and the use of artificial intelligence. At IONs, she is employing her knowledge to develop advanced fluorescence microscopy approaches for cell studies.
Related projects: NAMASTEPS, MAtCHLESS
Postdotoral Researcher
Dr. Deniz Koçyiğit Kaplan
Deniz has research experience in luminescent materials for photonic applications, nanoparticles, RE ion doped glasses, and their optical and photophysical properties. Her research at IONs focuses on the development of lead-free perovskite nanocrystals for luminescence-based sensing applications.
Related projects: MAtCHLESS
PhD Student (FPI fellow)
Emily Andreato
Emily studied Sciences and Technologies of Bio and Nanomaterials. Her current research focuses on the development of novel luminescent nanomaterials to be applied in biological environments.
Related projects: NAMASTEPS, MAtCHLESS
Co-supervisor: Dr. E. Ximendes
PhD Student (CAM fellow)
Nikita Panov
Trained as a chemist, Nikita is currently working at the development of machine-learning driven approaches for multparametric luminescence sensing.
Related projects: NAMASTEPS, MAtCHLESS
Co-supervisor: Prof. D. Jaque
PhD Student
Arif Muhammad
Arif is an expert of organic optical nanomaterials with linear and non-linear optical properties. His work currently focuses on the preparation of quantm dots for multiparametric luminescence sensing.
Related projects: MAtCHLESS
PhD Student
Joan Riera Cayetano
Joan is a Physicist with a MSc in Condensed Matter Physics specialising in Nanophysics. His current research focuses on applying machine learning algorithms to efficiently use multiparametric luminescent sensors and achieve 3D reconstructions.
Related projects: MAtCHLESS
Student
Cristina Olvera Alonso
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
TFG
Student
Ángela Martínez Gutiérrez
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
TFG
Alumni
Dr. Julio Corredoira Vazquez
Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Visiting PDF (2025-2026)
Dr. Leyre Aldaz-Caballero
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
PhD student (2022-2025)
Collaborations
IONs works in partnership with the Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (nanoBIG) at UAM. Get to know the rest of the team.
We count on a vast network of collaborators worldwide
Prof. M. Fondo, Dr. A. Carneiro-Neto, Dr. J. Corredoira Vázquez - Universidad Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Dr. L. Besteiro - Biomedical Research Center (CINBIO), Universidade de Vigo (Spain)
Dr. J. Pedro Cascales - Universidad Complutense de Madrid (Spain)
Prof. M. Ribagorda - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain)
Prof. L. Carlos, Prof. C. Brites - Universidade de Aveiro (Portugal)
Prof. J. Moilanen - University of Jyväskylä (Finland)
Prof. X. Liu - Northwerstern Polytechincal University (China)
Prof. U. Resch-Genger - BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Germany)
Prof. M. Suta - University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf (Germany)
Prof. A. Skripka - Oregon State University (USA)
Prof. F. A. Sigoli - University of Campinas (Brazil)
Prof. E. Hemmer, Prof. M. Murugesu - University of Ottawa (Canada)
Prof. A Gökçe, Dr. M. Gökçe - Aydin Adnan Menderes University (Türkiye)
Our core beliefs
IONs actively works to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of our work, including recruitment, mentoring, collaboration, and authorship. We aim to provide a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where all members can thrive scientifically and professionally.
We recognize that systemic barriers exist in science and are committed to continual learning, reflection, and action to reduce bias and improve inclusivity within our group and the broader chemistry community.
Discrimination, harassment, and exclusion have no place in our group!