Luis M. Liz-Marzán

Luis M. Liz-Marzán is an Ikerbasque Professor and Scientific Director at CIC biomaGUNE in San Sebastián, Spain. He was previously a Full Professor at the University of Vigo and has held visiting positions at institutions such as Tohoku University, University of Michigan, and Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces.

Education: He studied Chemistry at the University of Santiago de Compostela (1983–1988) and earned his PhD in 1992 with a thesis on microemulsions and magnetic nanoparticles.

Research Interests: His work focuses on nanoplasmonics, colloid science, and nanoparticle self-assembly. He has pioneered the use of colloidal methods for controlling nanoparticle shape, optical properties, and biomedical applications such as biosensing and early disease diagnostics.

His publications span a broad range of topics including plasmonic tuning, nanowire growth, biofilm imaging, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The trend in his work shows a strong integration of synthesis, characterization, and application of nanomaterials, particularly gold and silver-based systems, with a growing emphasis on biomedical interfaces.

Awards and Honors:

• Blaise Pascal Medal in Materials Science (2017)
• ERC Advanced Grants (2011 & 2018)
• Highly Cited Researcher (2014–2018)
• Fellow of EURASC, OSA, and RSC

Grants and Collaborations: He has led major international projects, including two ERC Advanced Grants, and has collaborated with institutions across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. His group, the Bionanoplasmonics Laboratory, has reshaped CIC biomaGUNE into a globally recognized center.