Alba MARCELLAN

Alba Marcellan is a Professor at Sorbonne Université, affiliated with the Faculty of Chemistry and the Soft Matter and Materials Engineering Laboratory (SIMM), a joint research unit of ESPCI Paris, Sorbonne Université, and CNRS. She leads research on soft matter, polymer science, and sustainable materials, with a focus on designing mechanically robust and self-healing hydrogels and fiber-based materials.

Her educational background includes:

• Doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering, Mines ParisTech (2003)
• DEA in Mechanics and Materials, Mines ParisTech (2000)
• Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) in Chemistry, Sorbonne Université (2015)

Marcellan's research centers on understanding and designing soft materials, particularly hydrogels and polymer fibers, by introducing reversible sacrificial bonds at the molecular or mesoscopic scale. Her work aims to create materials that combine rigidity, fracture resistance, and self-repair capabilities, contributing to sustainable resource use. She has developed experimental platforms for testing soft materials under controlled environmental conditions (pH, ionic strength, humidity) for non-standard samples.

Analysis of her recent publications (2013-2023) reveals a consistent focus on the mechanical reinforcement of soft materials, especially hydrogels and fibers. Key themes include the role of weak bonds in self-assembly, biomimetic design, nanoparticle-based adhesion, and thermoresponsive toughening. Her work bridges polymer chemistry, mechanics, and sustainability, often targeting applications in biomedicine and eco-friendly materials.

Her scientific awards include:

• Junior Member of the Institut Universitaire de France (IUF) in Chemistry (2017)
• PEDR (Doctoral and Research Supervision Grant) level 2 (5 years, 2017)
• Associate Professor position at Hokkaido University, Japan (2016, renewed 2021)
• Biennial Prize of the French Polymer Group / French Physical Society and Chemical Society (2014)

Marcellan is actively involved in teaching and mentoring. She co-leads the Materials Master's track at Sorbonne Université (100 students) and has developed courses on polymer mechanics, eco-design, and industrial applications of polymers. Her leadership in research supervision is recognized by the PEDR grant. She also serves on national committees, including the CNRS National Committee for Soft Matter.

She is a key member of the SIMM laboratory, where she established an experimental platform for environmental-conditioned mechanical testing. Additionally, she holds roles in professional societies, such as Treasurer of the Polymer Networks Group and co-leader of the Polymers Working Group under MÉCAMAT.