Dr Alvaro Lopez-Acosta
Dr Álvaro López-Acosta is a Research Associate at the Departments of Biochemistry and Chemistry. He specialises in dynamic synthetic molecular systems that mimic living biological processes. His previous research focused on understanding the self-assembly mechanisms that control the morphologies and properties of synthetic materials inspired by biology. At Cambridge, he studies how light, particularly ultraviolet radiation, affects lipid membranes, the protective compartments of life. His work aims to understand how these membranes survive extreme conditions, which is essential for searching for life on other planets, growing food during future space missions, and creating advanced synthetic materials with improved properties, such as artificial organs.
Álvaro holds a PhD from the Institut de Science et d’Ingénierie Supramoléculaire (ISIS) at the University of Strasbourg, where he studied artificial systems that mimic living processes. He also earned a master’s degree in supramolecular chemistry from York and Strasbourg, and a degree in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry from the University of York. His research experience spans leading institutions in the UK, France, Germany, Israel, and Spain, including the York Structural Biology Laboratory, the Weizmann Institute of Science, the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, and IMDEA Nanoscience.
Beyond the lab, Álvaro is proactive Laidlaw Scholar alumnus and trainer, a consultant in group dynamics and organisational management, and a certified public speaking trainer accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). His pastoral experience includes Mental Health First Aid certification, training mental health first aiders, and leading wellbeing initiatives at the University of York in partnership with city police. Additionally, he has managed international volunteer projects, serving as Expedition Manager and DOC for Raleigh International Costa Rica and Tanzania, where he coordinated youth leadership and community support programs.
In his free time, Álvaro enjoys Salsa dancing and is currently training towards his private pilot license. He particularly enjoys catching up with students in the corridors or hearing the latest gossip.
