João Cabral

João Cabral is a Professor of Soft Matter Engineering at Imperial College London's Department of Chemical Engineering, serving as Associate Director of the Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering (IMSE) and co-chair of the department's Equality, Diversity & Culture Committee. His research focuses on complex fluids, sustainable materials, and industry collaboration, supported by a Procter & Gamble/Royal Academy of Engineering research chair. He holds a physics background from Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) in Lisbon, with postgraduate work at KTH Stockholm, Laboratoire Léon Brillouin (Paris), and a PhD from Imperial College London. His career includes a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) postdoc in Washington, D.C., emphasizing translational research and industrial partnerships.

Research interests include polymer thermodynamics, surfactant systems, and microemulsion behavior, with applications in biomimetic materials and sustainable manufacturing. Cabral advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusion in STEM, leveraging Imperial’s supportive environment to mentor students while balancing personal and professional life. His work bridges fundamental science with industrial innovation, addressing challenges in materials science and energy transition.