Lucas’ curiosity about biology and the environment led him to pursue a five-year BSc in Biotechnology Engineering at Universidad Andrés Bello in Chile. His bachelor thesis focused on alginate-based systems for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater, sparking his long-term interest in sustainable water treatment.
Motivated to bring science closer to real-world challenges, he founded a biotechnology start-up in Chile that developed algae-based products for wastewater treatment. This experience deepened his belief that science should move beyond the lab and address real-world environmental needs. He then broadened his expertise with a Master’s in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at the University of Barcelona, where he explored cross-disciplinary applications of nanomaterials, ranging from biomedicine to environmental science.
Now a Doctoral Candidate in the NANAQUA project (DC10), based at PureBlue Water in the Netherlands and enrolled at KU Leuven, Lucas is developing hybrid biofilm systems enhanced with nanostructured materials for micropollutant biodegradation. Through his work in NANAQUA, Lucas aims to contribute to innovative strategies that make water treatment more sustainable and effective.