Carlos Espinosa Gavilanes

B.Sc. in Chemistry from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (2015) and an M.Sc. in Materials Science and Technology from Instituto Sabato (2026). He is currently a CONICET Doctoral Fellow at the Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (INN, CNEA-CONICET). His PhD research is centered on the design and synthesis of hybrid artificial photosynthesis systems for solar energy conversion via water oxidation and CO2 reduction. The project utilizes Au@TiO2 nanocomposites functionalized with Ru polypyridines and Fe porphyrins (FeTPP/FeTBP) to investigate charge transfer mechanisms induced by plasmonic effects (LSPR and PIRET). His graduate background includes the development of circular economy protocols for synthesizing gold nanoparticles using precursors recycled from laboratory waste. Additionally, he possesses eight years of professional experience at the Servicio Ecuatoriano de Normalización (INEN) as a technical expert and auditor in quality management under ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17020 standards for the petrochemical, food, and cosmetic sectors.