Carla Casadevall, surprising finalist for the 2026 Princess of Girona Award

Carla Casadevall, researcher at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, is vying for one of the most prestigious awards for young scientific talent. This recognition focuses on projects that could change the way we harness energy.

URV has announced that Casadevall is one of the five finalists for the Princess of Girona Research Award 2026. The prize will be decided on May 26 in Murcia, as part of the Talent Tour.

An international and promising career

Training and global experience

With a background in Chemistry from the University of Girona, Carla has worked at renowned centers such as Cambridge, KTH, and the Max Planck Institute. This experience has allowed her to establish herself within international sustainable chemistry.

Recognition and achievements

Among her merits are an ERC Starting Grant, a Leonardo BBVA Fellowship, and awards from entities such as the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry. She has published more than 40 articles and leads projects with funding exceeding 2.7 million euros.

Research that mimics nature to save the planet

Artificial photosynthesis and clean energy

Her BIOPOLE project explores technologies that simulate photosynthesis to create sustainable fuels and chemicals. It uses artificial membranes and polymer microreactors to improve the precision of key reactions.

Impact on the circular economy and decarbonization

Casadevall’s research aims to close the carbon cycle and accelerate the energy transition. This affects critical sectors such as energy, the chemical industry, and environmental sustainability.

The Princess of Girona Award and the future of Catalan research

A prestigious and competitive award

With 20,000 euros and 400 applications, the award highlights profiles with the capacity to make a real impact on global challenges such as health, energy, and the environment. The jury particularly values applied knowledge.

Impact for URV and local research

Casadevall’s candidacy puts URV and Tarragona research on the international map, at a time when sustainable innovation is key for the future.

The reality is that Carla Casadevall has already placed sustainable chemistry where it belongs: at the epicenter of Catalan and European scientific talent.

Source of the article: Universitat Rovira i Virgili