Post-doctoral researchers
Svetlana Samokhvalova
I obtained my B. Sc. in chemistry from the Saint Petersburg State University (Russia) and M.Sc. in complex systems chemistry from the University of Strasbourg. I then joined the Laboratory of Chemistry of Informational Macromolecules for my PhD project under the supervision of Dr. Jean-François Lutz. During my PhD I worked on information transfer in sequence-defined polymers. Currently I am a postdoctoral researcher with Dr. Guillermo Monreal Santiago. I am working on electricity-based techniques for spatial and temporal control over coacervate systems.
Fiza Akbar
I am a postdoctoral researcher specializing in heterogeneous catalysis, electrocatalysis, and solid-state chemistry. I combine advanced synthesis techniques with structural and spectroscopic characterization to design efficient catalytic systems. Passionate about bridging fundamental research and real-world impact, I actively collaborate across disciplines to advance clean energy solutions. My previous work focused and electric field-assisted ammonia synthesis (TotalEnergies). Currently, I develop electrocatalysts with properties at the nanoscale for electrochemical CO₂ fixation, mimicking biological pathways to form value added chemicals such as acetate and pyruvate, in a collaboration between Syensqo, Prof. Joseph Moran (University of Ottawa) and Dr. Yannick Geiger.
PhD students
Malak Jaber
I am Lebanese, born and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Lebanese University in Beirut, Lebanon, where my growing interest in systems chemistry inspired me to pursue graduate studies abroad. I was awarded a scholarship to join the Complex Systems Chemistry Graduate School in Strasbourg, France, where I completed my Master’s degree. During my academic journey, I gained diverse research experience through three internships: with Dr. Guillermo Monreal Santiago and Prof. Thomas Hermans on coacervate systems, with Dr. Claudia Bonfio on the synthesis of prebiotically plausible ether lipids, and with Dr. Giulio Ragazzon on endergonic chemical reaction networks. These projects helped shape my interest in self-assembly and dynamic chemical systems and led me to pursue a PhD under the supervision of Dr. Guillermo Monreal Santiago. My work focuses on controlling self-assembly and crystallization within stimuli-responsive coacervate microcompartments.
Outside of research, I serve as the President of the Amicale de la Complex Systems Chemistry (ACSC) student association. I also enjoy singing, drawing, and cooking.
Shana Valapra
I am originally from Kerala, a picturesque state in southern India. I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, where I carried out my Master’s thesis under the guidance of Dr. Pramod Pillai on gold nanoparticle-catalyzed reactions. I then joined the Complex System Chemistry (CSC) graduate school in Strasbourg, where I pursued internships with Prof. Thomas Hermans and Dr. Giulio Ragazzon. My PhD research focuses on out-of-equilibrium behaviours reminiscent of cellular complexity under the supervision of Prof. Thomas Hermans (IMDEA, Madrid) and Dr. Guillermo Monreal Santiago.
Beyond research, I enjoy travelling, exploring new places, hiking, and photography.
Lunan Yan （严璐楠）
I come from Pucheng County, Fujian Province, China. I obtained my Bachelor’s degree from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, and my Master’s degree from the Guangzhou Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. I am a recipient of the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and pursue my doctoral studies under the supervision of Dr. Guillermo Monreal Santiago.