Lancaster University: Lancaster energy storage researcher recognised by ‘Emerging Talent’ award
A Lancaster University scientist has been recognised for their research into new materials for new battery technologies.
Dr Nuria Tapia Ruiz, who is originally from Barcelona, has been awarded the Emerging Talent Award 2022 by the Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU) and the Banco Santander Foundation.
Part of Lancaster University’s Department of Chemistry, Dr Tapia Ruiz’s research focuses on the creation of new materials, particularly for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery technologies. By using diffraction and spectroscopic techniques, Dr Tapia Ruiz aims to characterise these materials with the aim to produce a new generation of batteries that will last longer and deliver higher energy density, while also being cheaper and safer than currently existing batteries.
Dr Tapia Ruiz was selected by the SRUK/CERU’s Scientific Committee chaired by Professor Carmen Domene.
Professor Domene said: “The relevant and outstanding work carried out by Spanish researchers in the UK and their successful research trajectory are recognised with the SRUK/CERU Emerging Talent Award. The quality of all the evaluated applications has been exceptional and the number of received applications has increased one more year, which shows the positive impact this award has on the scientific community. In this 7th edition, the Scientific Committee has highlighted the research carried out by Dr Nuria Tapia Ruiz in the fields of fundamental materials chemistry and energy, as well as her leading skills and training work. On behalf of the Committee, I would like to congratulate the awardee.”
Dr Tapia Ruiz said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the SRUK/CERU Emerging Talent Award 2022. I would like to thank past and present members of my research group without whom this award would not have been possible, as well as SRUK/CERU and the Fundacion Banco Santander for providing me with this wonderful recognition.”
Dr Tapia Ruiz finished her BSc in Chemistry at the University of Barcelona. She then moved to the UK to carry out her PhD studies at the Chemistry Department in the University of Glasgow. In 2013, she joined the University of St Andrews to work as a Postdoctoral Fellow in energy storage materials with Prof Peter Bruce. In 2014, she moved to the University of Oxford to work as a Research Fellow. Dr Tapia Ruiz started her independent career as a Lecturer in Chemistry at Lancaster University in 2017, where she was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2020. One year later, she was awarded with the Lancaster’s Science and Technology Research of the Year Award.
Dr Claudia Román, president of SRUK/CERU, said: “Dr Nuria Tapia Ruiz is a young researcher with an already impressive career demonstrated by her leadership and ability to conduct world-class research. I am sure this award will give visibility to the incredible talent that Spanish researchers bring to the United Kingdom. Her work focuses on developing materials for sustainable energy storage technologies that contribute toward the important and much needed transition to renewable energy generation to fight global warming.”