Rebeca Gomez Castillo

Dr. Rebeca Gomez Castillo serves as Group Leader of the Time Resolved Spectroscopy research group within the Inorganic Spectroscopy department at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion (MPI CEC) since 2024. Her work bridges ultrafast optical and X-ray spectroscopic methodologies to investigate dynamic processes in catalytic and energy conversion systems, with emphasis on plasmonic nanomaterials and metalloenzyme mechanisms.

Her academic foundation includes:

• B.Sc in Chemistry from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (2015)
• M.Sc from Ruhr University Bochum / MPI CEC, Germany (2016)
• Phil(Hons) in Chemistry from Ruhr University Bochum / MPI CEC, Germany (2017-2021)

Gomez Castillo's research integrates time-resolved spectroscopy with computational modeling to unravel electronic and structural dynamics in inorganic systems. Key investigations span plasmon-induced hot carrier generation in gold nanoparticles, reaction mechanisms in iron-catalyzed amino functionalization, and electronic structure analysis of metalloenzyme intermediates like nitrogenase and methane monooxygenase. Her experimental approach leverages synchrotron radiation and free-electron laser facilities for sub-picosecond resolution.

Recent publications reveal a cohesive trajectory toward elucidating energy conversion pathways through advanced spectroscopic interrogation of transient states. Her 2023-2025 work demonstrates particular innovation in correlating ultrafast photodynamics with catalytic function across nanomaterial and biological platforms, establishing foundational insights for renewable energy applications.

Her scholarly recognition includes:

• NCCR MUST and Cluster of Excellence Fellowship (2021-2023)
• International Max Planck Research School Fellowship (2016-2021)
• UCr scholarship for young scientists, Krakow (2017)
• UCM ERASMUS internship fellowship (2015)
• Imperial College London-UROP fellowship (2013)

She currently mentors PhD candidate Utkarsh Prakash while collaborating with visiting researchers like Christopher Kim. Her group maintains active partnerships with Swiss FEL and Paul Scherrer Institute for beamtime access, driving methodological advances in time-resolved X-ray techniques. Current projects focus on real-time observation of charge transfer processes in electrocatalytic systems and plasmonic energy conversion mechanisms.