Sergio Barbeira Arán, a researcher in the group led by Martín Fañanás Mastral at CiQUS, has been awarded one of the 2026 Lilly PhD Research Awards, presented annually by the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) and Lilly to recognise outstanding young researchers working across different areas of chemistry.
This year’s competition attracted 38 candidates from universities and research institutions across Spain. Barbeira was selected as one of the three recipients of the award, alongside Albert Gallego Gamo (Autonomous University of Barcelona) and Víctor Manuel Amador Luna (Spanish National Research Council, CSIC). Each award carries a €2,000 prize and aims to support the development of promising scientific careers. In addition, the 2026 Early Career Researcher Award was presented to Irene Marco-Ríus from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC).
Barbeira’s doctoral research focuses on the development of new synthetic methodologies based on sustainable catalytic strategies. As he explains, “my doctoral research focuses on developing new catalytic methodologies to transform hydrocarbons into valuable compounds through sustainable approaches based on catalysis and photocatalysis. In particular, my thesis explores the functionalisation of strained systems and light alkanes, expanding the synthetic possibilities of these types of structures.”
The Lilly Research Awards are widely regarded as one of Spain’s leading distinctions for early-career chemists. They seek to promote excellence in research while highlighting the transformative potential of science developed by a new generation of researchers, particularly in fields with an impact on health, sustainability and technological innovation.
This latest distinction adds to CiQUS’s strong track record in the programme. Over the past decade, several doctoral researchers associated with the centre have received the Lilly PhD Research Award, including Marcos Vilela (2024), José Manuel González (2023), Soraya Learte (2021), Eva Rivera (2021), Noelia Casanova (2017), Andrés Seoane (2015), Mateo Sánchez (2014), Isaac Alonso (2013), Lorena Tizón (2012) and Olalla Vázquez (2010). Barbeira’s award further reinforces the centre’s longstanding commitment to nurturing scientific talent and research excellence.
The CiQUS holds the CIGUS recognition by the Xunta de Galicia, that accredits the quality and impact of its research, and receives financial support from the European Union through the Galicia FEDER Program 2021-2027.
