David Fernandez Rivas

David Fernandez Rivas is Professor at the University of Twente, Faculty of Science and Technology, within the Mesoscale Chemical Systems Group. Since 2017 he is also a Research Affiliate at the MIT Department of Mechanical Engineering and a Visiting Professor in the Dermatology Department of Erasmus MC, Rotterdam. His work bridges physics, chemical engineering and biomedicine.

Education

• BSc & MSc in Nuclear Engineering (2004, 2006) – Higher Institute of Science and Technology, Havana, Cuba
• PhD (2012) – University of Twente, Netherlands

Research Interests

David’s core expertise lies at the intersection of microfluidics and cavitation phenomena. He exploits controlled bubble collapse to achieve needle-free injection, process intensification, water treatment, and solar-to-fuel conversion. His ERC-funded BuBble Gun project aims for painless, cost-effective drug delivery, while spin-offs BuBclean and FlowBeams commercialize ultrasonic cleaning and ink-delivery technologies.

Scientific Awards & Recognition

• European Research Council Starting Grant 2019 (€1.5 M)
• NWO VIDI Grant 2023
• NWO Stairways to Impact Award 2021
• KIVI Prince Friso Engineer of the Year 2021
• KHMW Pieter Langerhuizen Fonds Prize 2016
• Elected member, Global Young Academy (2020) & Young Academy of Europe

Advising & Grants

David has successfully transferred research into society via two start-ups and several European consortia. He co-chairs the COST Action Greenering and mentors numerous PhD and master students within the TechMed Centre and MESA+ Institute at Twente.

Labs & Teams

He leads the BuBble Gun research team and collaborates closely with the Mesoscale Chemical Systems laboratory, MIT Bioinstrumentation lab, and Erasmus MC Dermatology department.