ICFO
The Institute of Photonic Sciences
ICFO is a CERCA research center member of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, founded in 2002 by the Government of Catalonia and the Polytechnical University of Catalunya · Barcelona Tech. Located in the Mediterranean Technology Park in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, the institute currently hosts 500 people, organized into 25 research teams that use 80 state-of-the-art research laboratories. Research lines encompass diverse areas in which photonics plays a decisive role, with an emphasis on basic and applied themes relevant to medicine and biology, advanced imaging techniques, information technologies, a range of environmental sensors, tunable and ultra-fast lasers, quantum science and technologies, photovoltaics and the properties and applications of nano and quantum materials such as graphene, among others.
The team
Pelayo Garcia de Arquer
Professor/ICONIC CoordinatorGroup Leader at ICFO in Barcelona, Spain.
After completing his PhD in Optoelectronics, he spent several fruitful years as a postdoctoral fellow in the Sargent Group at the University of Toronto. He was then appointed Director of Research for Emerging Optoelectronic Applications, making several high-impact contributions to the field.
He is passionate about green technologies and eager to work with talented students and scientists with similar ambitions.
Viktoria Golovanova
Postdoctoral researcherShe obtained her PhD at IREC – The Catalan Institute of Energy and made a long journey from theoretical physics through gas sensors and photovoltaics to catalysis. She is currently focused on developing novel catalytic materials for renewable energy.
Anku Guha
Postdoctoral researcher He obtained his PhD from TIFR Hyderabad (India) on electrode-electrolyte interface engineering by modulating electrolytes for mainly hydrogen evolution and nitrogen reduction reactions. He is currently focused on developing novel catalytic materials and studying the electrocatalytic pathways by Operando Raman spectroscopy.
Kaiqi Zhao
Postdoctoral researcherHe obtained his PhD in Materials Science and engineering from Chongqing University in China. He specialized in the process engineering of electrochemical systems, such as electrolytic cells and rechargeable batteries, with a strong emphasis on the underlying materials science and multiphysics coupling simulations. He is currently focused on developing smart systems for selective electrosynthesis.
Linlin Yang
Postdoctoral researcherShe received her PhD in Nanoscience from the University of Barcelona and the Catalonia Institute for Energy Research (IREC). She is currently focusing on fundamental studies and the mechanistic understanding of C–N coupling reactions through in situ characterisation techniques.
Luis Guillermo Gerling
Knowledge and Technology TransferHe is a Chemical Engineer specialising in renewable energies (MSc) and photovoltaics (PhD). He has worked as a process engineer for the copper refining industry and as an entrepreneurial scientist focused on transparent photovoltaic applications. In 2021, he joined ICFO’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTT) unit, where he is the project manager of the energy and materials portfolio.
Judith Salvador
Project ManagerShe holds a degree in Economics from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra and a master’s degree in project management from IL3-Universitat de Barcelona. She started at ICFO in 2018 and has since been the project manager of several European Projects.
Ivana Cavaliere
Project ManagerShe is a Biomedical Engineer (MCs) and obtained her PhD in Materials Science at the ICN2 – Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. She has worked as a senior scientist in a technological centre, specialising in technical and scientific management. In 2025, she joined ICFO as project manager for the Energy and Materials portfolio.
Marta Martín
Science CommunicationShe is an Environmental Biologist with an MSc in Neurosciences. She started her career as a researcher in evolutionary biology and then specialized in science communication (MSc). Having worked both in research institutes and at universities, she joined ICFO in 2020 as a science communication officer for European Projects.