Maria Dolores Robustillo Fuentes

Maria Dolores Robustillo Fuentes is a Professor in the Department of Industrial and Environmental Chemical Engineering at the School of Industrial Engineering, Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), since 2020. She holds ANECA accreditation as Associate Professor (Profesor Titular) and was promoted to full Professor on May 27, 2025. She leads the POLCA research group (Polymers, Characterization and Applications) and co-founded UPM's award-winning Didáctica de la Química educational innovation group.

Education:

• Chemical Engineer, University of Salamanca (USAL), 2004
• Ph.D. in Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (European Mention, Sobresaliente Cum Laude), Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), 2010

Research Focus: Dr. Robustillo Fuentes pioneers high-pressure phase equilibrium studies using calorimetry (HP-DSC) to develop methodologies for gas hydrate phase diagrams. Her work bridges energy sustainability through CO₂ capture applications, biodiesel cold-flow assurance, and paraffin precipitation in crude oils. She integrates experimental thermodynamics with renewable energy systems and supercritical fluid technologies.

Scientific Recognition:

• FAPESP Young Researcher Program Award (2014) for gas hydrate research
• UPM Educational Innovation Award (2022) for chemistry didactics

Research Leadership: She has directed 17 competitive projects totaling €2.93M (PI on 9 projects), including FAPESP/CNPq grants in Brazil. Her Repsol-collaborated doctoral thesis generated 46 technical reports and 10 JCR articles. She actively mentors early-career researchers through UPM Water and EELISA Water ERASMUS+ initiatives.

Professional Networks: Member of the Royal Spanish Chemical Society (RSEQ) Calorimetry & Thermal Analysis group, Energy & Sustainability division, and UPM Water research community.