Editor Interview: María Concepción Serrano López-Terradas

María Concepción Serrano López-Terradas is a Doctor in Biology (2006) from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). She was a FPU predoctoral fellow at UCM, a MINECO postdoctoral fellow at Northwestern University (USA), a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellow at ICMM-CSIC and a Miguel Servet postdoctoral fellow at the Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos. Since 2017, she is a tenured scientist at the Group of Materials for Medicine and Biotechnology (ICMM-CSIC). She has published over 70 research articles, co-edited a book for Springer-Nature and contributed to more than 100 scientific conferences. Her research interests are focused on biomaterials, tissue engineering and nanomedicine.

Here's the interview we did with her:

Q: Could you briefly introduce your current research field?

A: My research is currently focused on the design of novel biomaterials including bioactive and responsive hydrogels for neural repair. I am also interested in iron oxide nanoparticles as therapeutic nanocarriers and the impact of magnetic stimulation in biological systems.

Q: What obstacles or difficulties have you encountered in your research work? How did you overcome these difficulties?

A: The main difficulties in my research path have been assuring enough funding to settle down as an independent scientist and to get a permanent position, as resources are limited and science is becoming more and more competitive. Both have been addressed with hard work, passion in science, perseverance, and endurance.

Q: As an associate editor, what type of articles or which direction of research are you interested in?

A: I try to keep an open mind when working as an Associate Editor. Breakthroughs are pivotal for the advance of science and those only come from “out of the box”. Any attempts to personalize medicines are a priceless direction to follow.

Q: What are your expectations for the future development of Bioactive Materials and its promotion of related fields?

A: I expect Bioactive Materials to keep growing, advancing science and leading some of the topest research in the field of biomaterials. We are experiencing an exponential growth in these topics and Bioactive Materials should be part of it, preserving high standards.

Q: What is your greatest hobby outside of scientific work?

A: Practising yoga and taichi, reading, travelling, and walking in natural landscapes.

Q: How do you balance scientific research work and personal life?

A: That is still a tough one with a 6-years old son. I try to manage, but it often comes difficult. This profession is very demanding and our passion pushes us to long days and nights of work. But preserving the balance in a daily-based is vital.

Q: What do you think is the most important quality for researchers?

A: Passion. If I can say a few more, honesty and curiosity.

Q: What advice do you have for young scholars who are determined to engage in scientific research?

A: Please, keep your passion in science fresh even through the obstacles you will for sure encounter. This is a not an easy journey, but the advance of knowledge and science/technology closely linked to the advance of society is priceless. We must be committed to work for a better future for more people in the world.