Dr. Judit Morlà will now continue her scientific career in the Nanomol-bio group as a Ramón y Cajal researcher, working with Dr. Mariana Köber and her team. Her work will focus on advancing a project aimed at enhancing cancer immunotherapy through nanoparticle-based photodynamic therapy. Her research interests broadly revolve around the design of organic nanoparticles with therapeutic and diagnostic properties for biomedical applications.
Her trajectory reflects strong multidisciplinary expertise. During her PhD (URV–Medcom Advance, Spain), she developed ultrasensitive SERS-based diagnostic tools, enabling direct quantification of epigenetic DNA modifications and detection of K-Ras mutations. Following a research stay at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), she worked as Innovation Manager at Beauty Cluster Barcelona, strengthening her ability to build productive academia–industry collaborations. In 2018, she joined Prof. Kevin Belfield’s group (NJIT, USA), and later integrated into Nanomol-bio through a Marie Curie Tecniospring+ fellowship, where she developed ultrabright quatsome nanoprobes for bioimaging and photodynamic therapy—work that resulted in impactful publications and a patent.
In 2021, she moved to the Nanomedicine Lab at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York City), where she led nanoparticle-based PDT development, established the hospital’s first Laser Lab, contributed to non-human primate translational studies, and co-taught a graduate course in nanomedicine. After maternity leave, she returned to ICMAB-CSIC in 2024 under the EU Nano4Rare project at Nanomol-bio, contributing to the progress of nanoGLA toward its first-in-human clinical trials.
Beyond her research, Judit is committed to science outreach: she has delivered public talks, organised workshops for Researchers’ Night, and participated in the FameLab science monologue competition. Reflecting on the Ramón y Cajal appointment, she noted: “I’m truly excited to open this new scientific chapter. After years of hard work, strengthened by meaningful collaborations and the support of those who care about me, it’s inspiring to begin this promising new adventure.”
Finally, the centre highlights that two additional Ramón y Cajal awardees will also join other ICMAB research groups, while a fourth researcher currently at ICMAB will take up the position at ICN2—evidence of the strong talent attraction and scientific dynamism within the institution.
