The 2024 Regional PhD Award in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology goes to Sebastian MUCHA

Sebastian Mucha received the 2024 Regional PhD Award in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, granted by the C’Nano Grand-Sud-Ouest (GSO), in recognition of the doctoral work he carried out at L2C and defended in December 2023.

Sebastian Mucha holds two Master’s degrees: one in Chemistry from Wroclaw University of Science and Technology (Poland), and another in Molecular Nano- and Biophotonics for Telecommunications and Biotechnologies, awarded by ENS Cachan.

His doctoral research, conducted within the Nanomaterials team under the supervision of Lucyna Firlej, focused on the synthesis, characterization, modeling, and applications of carbon quantum dots of various shapes. He was particularly interested in the design and understanding of structure-property relationships in luminescent carbon nanoparticles, as well as their potential for biomedical applications.

The nanomaterials developed during his PhD demonstrated efficient and color-tunable light emission under one- and two-photon excitation. The spectral range covered includes the first biological window (650–950 nm), offering promising perspectives for biosensing and bioimaging.

He is co-author of 11 scientific publications and has presented around twenty communications at international conferences. Currently, he is pursuing a postdoctoral position in Wroclaw in the field of materials engineering, as part of a project entitled “An intelligent platform of bio-inspired ionic materials with beneficial effects on plants.”

This project aims to design and synthesize non-toxic, environmentally friendly phytosanitary products, thereby contributing to the development of sustainable and innovative chemistry.