RESEARCH INTERESTS
Eneko's work is at the interface of physics, materials science and nanomedicine. A major focus is the design, fabrication and characterization of hydrogels and nanocomposites for biomedical applications. Eneko has extensive experience on developing mathematical models to predict the behavior of soft materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. Eneko’s more recent research interests include soft materials and coatings for brain machine interfaces. At NASA, he develops models and biomaterials to prevent and treat spaceflight-induced bone loss in astronauts. He also have a passion for food science and gastrophysics.
EDUCATION
PhD, Materials Science, University of the Basque Country - 2015
Thesis: Uncovering the Role of Free Volume in Biomaterials and Biological Matter
MS, Molecular Biology & Biomedicine, University of the Basque Country - 2012
Thesis: Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) Study on Adenocarcinoma 3D Cell Cultures
MS, Materials Science, University of the Basque Country - 2011
Thesis: Free Volume and Shape Memory Properties of Gamma-Irradiated Poly(cyclooctene) Polymers for Biomedical Applications
BS, Physics, University of the Basque Country - 2010
HONORS, AWARDS, and SCHOLARSHIPS
Marie Curie Individual Global Fellowship (H2020-MSCA-IF-GF), European Commission, 2019-2021
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Basque Government, 2018-2019
Panther Postdoctoral Fellowship, Erasmus Mundus - European Commission, 2017-2018 (awarded and declined)
Young Investigator Award, Bizkaia Talent and SRUK, 2017
Homerton College Research Associate (non-stipendary fellowship), 2016-2019
Best Dissertation Video Award, Donostia International Physics Center and Elhuyar, 2013
FCT-ZTF Conference Best Poster Presentation Award, 2012
Predoctoral Fellowship, Basque Government, 2012-2015
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Stanford University, Feb 2018 – Mar 2021
Research Advisor: Prof. Eric Appel
Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Jun 2016 – Feb 2018
Research Advisor: Prof. Michelle Oyen
Wyss Institute, Harvard University, Nov 2017 – Dec 2017
Research Advisor: Prof. Neel Joshi
Department of Physics, University of Oxford, Apr 2014 – July 2015
Research Advisor: Prof. Sonia Contera
Department of Electricity & Electronics, University of the Basque Country, Sept 2010 – May 2016
Research Advisor: Prof. Fernando Plazaola and Prof. Jose Angel Garcia
ABOUT
Born in the city of Bilbao, a vibrant city in The Basque Country, Spain, Eneko developed its passion for the arts and sciences, with the Basque country beautiful coast, and world class gastronomy as a backdrop. He attended the university of the Basque Country completing a Bachelor of Science in physics, and master´s degrees in Materials Sciences and Biomedicine, all while also pursuing his interest in music and filmmaking. Eneko left Spain to pursue part of his doctoral research at the Clarendon Lab at Oxford University, UK. After completing his PhD, Eneko became a postdoctoral researcher at Cambridge University Nanoscience Centre. He comes to the Bay Area to pursue an interdisciplinary joint research project between the Appel Lab and NASA’s AMES Research Center.
Since 2010, he is a host collaborator for an arts and science outreach radio show. Outside of the lab, Eneko spends its time creating music, short films and music videos. He enjoys sailing, going to the cinema, reading graphic novels and spending time with people from all around the world. He has passion for good food, and he is a beer judge with official recognition by the Beer Judge Certification Program.