Dr. Carol López De Dicastillo | Materials Science | Best Industrial Research Award
Senior Scientist, Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC), Spain
Dr. Carol López de Dicastillo is a distinguished researcher in food science and materials engineering, currently serving as Tenured Researcher at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC) in Spain. She earned her PhD in Food Science and Technology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in 2011, after completing her MSc in 2007 and BSc in Chemistry in 2005, both from Spanish institutions. Her professional experience includes roles as a “Ramón y Cajal” Researcher in Spain (2022–2024), Marie Curie Researcher at ONYRIQ, Spain (2021–2022), and Academic-Researcher at the University of Santiago de Chile (2013–2021), with additional predoctoral and postdoctoral stays at Rutgers University (USA), CSIRO (Australia) and research collaborations in France, the Netherlands and Brazil. Her research interests focus on sustainable and active food packaging, including biodegradable and recycled polymers, hydrophilic polymers, chemical functionalization, controlled release and polymer-based delivery systems. She possesses strong research skills in polymer synthesis, emulsification, chemical grafting, material characterization and industrial technology transfer. Dr. Carol López de Dicastillo has authored 85 publications with 3,540 citations and an h-index of 33, including high-impact Q1 journal articles, 8 book chapters, and holds 7 patents (6 as responsible inventor). She has supervised 3 PhD students (2 ongoing), 4 MSc and 17 BSc theses, and taught courses in Food Engineering, Food Technology and Chemical Engineering. Her awards and honors include the Marie Curie Fellowship and Ramón y Cajal Research Contract, reflecting her excellence in research and international collaboration. Dr. Carol López de Dicastillo has also contributed to community outreach and science dissemination through initiatives such as PRONANO, CONICYT and #mejorIata. In conclusion, her outstanding contributions to sustainable food packaging, mentorship, innovation and international research collaborations make her highly deserving of recognition, highlighting her potential to continue advancing materials science and industrial applications globally.
Featured Publications
1. López de Dicastillo, C., Gómez-Estaca, J., López-Carballo, G., Gavara, R., & Hernández-Muñoz, P. (2023). Agro-industrial protein waste and co-products valorization for the development of bioplastics: Thermoprocessing and characterization of feather keratin/gliadin blends. Molecules, 28(7350).
2. Velásquez, E., Garrido, L., Valenzuela, X., Galotto, M. J., Guarda, A., & López de Dicastillo, C. (2023). Valorization of post-consumer recycled polypropylene through their reinforcement with amine and amine/silane organically modified clays for potential use in food packaging. Food Packaging and Shelf Life, 38, 101121.
3. Patiño Vidal, C., Luzi, F., Puglia, D., López-Carballo, G., Rojas, A., Galotto, M. J., & López de Dicastillo, C. (2023). Development of a sustainable and antibacterial food packaging material based on a biopolymeric multilayer system composed by polylactic acid, chitosan, cellulose nanocrystals, and ethyl lauroyl arginate. Food Packaging and Shelf Life, 36, 101050.
4. Rojas, A., Velásquez, E., Piña, C., Galotto, M. J., & López de Dicastillo, C. (2021). Designing active mats based on cellulose acetate/polycaprolactone core/shell structures with different release kinetics. Carbohydrate Polymers, 261, 117849.
5. Velásquez, E. J., Patiño-Vidal, C., Rojas, A., Guarda, A., Galotto, M. J., & López de Dicastillo, C. (2021). Natural antimicrobials and antioxidants added to polylactic acid packaging films. Part I: Polymers processing techniques. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 20(5), 4378–4393.