I completed my chemistry degree from University of Valencia in 1999. Then, I moved to the University of Girona to work on the synthesis (in solution and solid phase) of heterocycle libraries, as a fellow of the agreement between the University and the pharmaceutical company Janssen Cilag S.A., under the supervision of Professor Jose Manuel Villalgordo. In November 2001, I got a fellowship from the Generalitat Valenciana to perform my doctoral thesis at the University Jaume I (UJI) of Castellón, working on asymmetric synthesis of natural products and development of synthetic methodologies (specifically aldol reactions with double asymmetric induction), under the supervision of Professors J. Alberto Marco and Miguel Carda.

After the completion of my PhD I was granted a fellowship of continuity of the University Jaume I, followed by two postdoctoral research contracts in March 2006 and the year 2010, to continue my research in the group of Professors Marco and Carda. Firstly I finished the study about the aldol additions with double asymmetric induction, but later the research was evolving from synthesis of natural products to medicinal chemistry (specifically searching for improved antimitotics).

During this tenure I had a chance to visit several other laboratories for research experience and exchange. In late 2007 I made a postdoctoral stay of 4 months in the group of Professor M.C. Willis at the University of Oxford (in the Chemistry Research Laboratory), working on the development and application of enantioselective Suzuki couplings to the synthesis of natural products. In the years 2012-2013 I made several stays at the Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC), in Madrid, with Dr. Fernando Díaz to study interactions with tubulin and cytotoxic activities of synthetic products prepared within the collaboration that was taking place between UJI and CIB.

At the end of 2013 I started a new line of research in supramolecular organic chemistry, focused on the study of peptide derived molecular hydrogels for applications in catalysis, nanotechnology and biomedicine, with Professors J.F. Miravet and B. Escuder. At the beginning of 2014 I got the accreditation to University Associate Professor (Profesor Titular de Universidad) of the national agency of quality and accreditation evaluation (ANECA), but at that time I had difficulties to find a stable position in organic chemistry. For this reason, in September 2016 I moved to the Education Department of the University Jaume I as Assistant Professor (Profesor Ayudante Doctor), to focus on the didactics of experimental sciences.

Fortunately, in September 2019 I got a new position as Assistant Professor (Profesor Ayudante Doctor) in the Department of Organic Chemistry of the University of Valencia (UV), and one year later I promoted to Associate Professor (Profesor Titular de Universidad). Since 2021, I am working with Professor C. del Pozo in asymmetric synthesis using tandem processes to obtain compounds of pharmacological interest.

I began my research career in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of Valencia (UV), where I continue to work today. I completed my doctoral thesis on the isolation of natural products from endemic plants of our region. I undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at Imperial College London, under the supervision of Professor S. V. Ley, where I gained experience in the total synthesis of organic products. Upon returning to UV, I joined Professor R. Mestres's group to work on the reactivity of unsaturated carboxylic acid dianions, a line of research I assumed leadership of in 2000. In 2007, I joined Professor A. M. Costero's group and focused my research on supramolecular chemistry. Since then, we have been dedicated to the design, synthesis, and evaluation of chromium and/or fluorogenic chemosensors and chemodosimeters for the detection of small molecules. Significant contributions have been made to the detection of nerve agents, polluting gases, neurotransmitters, and date rape drugs.

Since 2008, I have been part of the Interuniversity Institute (UPV+UV) for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM), which I have directed since 2022. The IDM focuses on health, food, safety, and the environment. This multidisciplinary center has allowed us to begin developing new applications for our sensors using solid supports and exploring their potential in vivo uses through monitoring in various cell lines and mice. As a result of using mesoporous materials, we have initiated a new line of research aimed at functionalizing these systems with molecular gates for the controlled release of drugs, a much more efficient dosing method. We are already obtaining results for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases and osteoporosis. Every year, we organize the International Workshop on Sensors and Molecular Recognition, which has now been held 18 times.

During this time, I have published approximately 140 articles (almost half of which are Q1), supervised 12 doctoral theses, and around 40 other research projects, including undergraduate and master's theses. I have participated in 40 research projects, funded by the National Research Plan, the Valencian Government (GV), and the University of Valencia, and have been the principal investigator on 5 of them. I have also participated in one European project and two projects funded by the Argentine National Research Agency (PICT), thanks to my collaboration with Professor Pedro Mancini of the National University of Litoral (UNL). Recent findings on chemosensors for the detection of date rape drugs have resulted in 6 patents and the creation of the spin-off company Opticalsens SL, which has already launched its Celentis brand drug-detecting wristbands. This project has received numerous awards, the most recent on November 25th: 1st UPV Ideas Prize for Best Spin-off 2025. Deeply committed to knowledge transfer, we have always maintained agreements with various companies, which has allowed us to hold several patents currently in use.
After enjoying several scholarships and contracts, I became a tenured professor in 1991 and a full professor of Organic Chemistry in 2010. I have been awarded six five-year research periods and six six-year research periods. I have been involved from the beginning in adapting our programs to the Bologna Process (European Higher Education Area) and in management positions, notably serving as Vice Dean and Coordinator of the Degree Program, and participating in the drafting of the white paper for the Chemistry Degree. I have taught in the Master's programs in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Forensic Chemistry at the University of Valencia (UV), as well as in the Diploma program in Industrial Chemistry. I am also part of the teaching staff at Nau Gran. I received the Teaching Excellence Award from the Consell Social in 2017, along with several Educational Innovation awards, and the Docentia program awarded me an "excellent" rating.
Due to the increased social impact we have recently been experiencing, I was awarded the 2024 EVAP (Association of Businesswomen and Professionals of Valencia) Diversity Award and was featured in Forbes magazine as one of the 100 most influential women in Spain.

[Biography, english version]

B.Sc. in Chemistry, Universidad de Murcia, Spain, 1986. Ph.D. in Chemistry, Universidad de Murcia, Spain, 1991. EU Human Capital & Mobility Fellow, University of Cambridge, UK, 1991-1994. Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, Technische Universität Brawnschweig, Germany, 1994-1995. MEC Senior Research Scientist, Universidad de Murcia, Spain, 1995-1998. MEC Senior Research Scientist, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Spain 1998-1999. Profesor Asociado and MEC-GV Senior Research Scientist, Universidad de Valencia, Spain, 1999-2001. Ramón y Cajal Research Scientist, Universidad de Valencia, Spain, 2002-2006. Profesor Contratado Doctor, Universidad de Valencia, Spain, 2006-2008. Habilitación Profesor Titular de Universidad, Universidad de Córdoba, Spain, 2008. Profesor Titular de Universidad, Universidad de Valencia, Spain, 2008-2018. Head of the Organic Chemistry Department, Universidad de Valencia, Spain, 2012-2018. President of Sección Territorial de Valencia de la Real Sociedad Española de Química, 2016. Catedrático de Univerisidad, Universidad de Valencia, Spain, 2018
Research Interests: crystal engineering, catalysis, organic and metalorganic frameworks, nonconventional intermolecular interactions, single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Dr. Carlos Vila (Albaida, 1982) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the Faculty of Chemistry of the University of Valencia (UVEG). He earned his degree in Chemistry (2005, Extraordinary Award, Best Academic Record of 2005, and National Award from the Ministry of Education of Spain in 2005) and his PhD in Chemistry (2010, Excellent Cum Laude) from the University of Valencia.

PROFILES/ ORCID: 0000-0001-9306-1109  |  SCOPUS: 55539188936 | Author ID: C-6849-2015 | Google Scholar: Carlos Vila

RESEARCH
His work has focused on several research lines:

1. Organic synthesis and synthetic methodology for the sustainable synthesis of organic compounds, particularly heterocyclic compounds.
2. Asymmetric catalysis using metal complexes.
3. Organocatalysis.
4. Photocatalysis using visible light.
5. Cross-coupling reactions using organolithium reagents catalyzed by palladium.
6. Activation of allylic alcohols.

He has undertaken four research stays (59 months): In 2005, an Erasmus stay (5 months) at the Leiden Institute of Chemistry, University of Leiden (Netherlands), with Prof. H. Overkleeft. In 2008, a predoctoral stay (4 months) at the Institute of Chemistry, Aarhus University (Denmark), with Prof. K. A. Jørgensen. From 2010 to 2012 (26 months), a postdoctoral stay at the Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen (Germany), with Prof. M. Rueping. From 2012 to 2014 (24 months), at the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen (Netherlands), with Prof. B. L. Feringa (2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry). In 2014, he returned to the University of Valencia as a "Juan de la Cierva" researcher in the group of Prof. J. R. Pedro. In 2017, he gained a "Ramón y Cajal" contract (12 awarded in Chemistry in 2017) in the Department of Organic Chemistry at the University of Valencia. In March 2023, he was promoted to Associate Professor.

He has published 107 articles in JCR-indexed journals (70% in Q1 JCR), >4300 citations, and has an h-index of 37 (Scopus). He has contributed 5 book chapters, > 120 conference communications, and 1 outreach article in Anales de la RSEQ. He has participated in 8 research projects, led 1 funded by the BBVA Foundation, and co-led 2 projects under the National Research Agency (AEI) of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. He has been recognized for 3 research periods (2006-2012; 2013-2018; 2019-2024). He has served as a reviewer for scientific journals (>400 reviews), the National Research Agency (Spain), the Castilla-La Mancha Research Agency, Murcia Research Agency, the Swiss National Science Foundation and the Canada Foundation. Member of the expert evaluation panel of the National Research Agency (AEI, RyC2021, PID2022) and the Czech Science Foundation (2023, 2024, 2025).

TEACHING AND TRAINING

He has been recognized for 2 teaching periods (2006-2016; 2017-2021). His teaching experience (>1100 hours) focuses on the Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and the Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry, though he has also taught in the degrees of Pharmacy, Biology, Optics and Optometry, and Chemical Engineering. He has co-supervised 3 doctoral theses (1 awarded an Extraordinary Doctorate Award and international mention, and another with an international mention). He has also supervised 19 Bachelor’s theses (TFG) and 16 Master’s theses (TFM). He has participated in 11 teaching innovation projects (2 as IP), contributed > 15 conference communications, published >10 proceedings and articles, and authored 3 teaching material books. Additionally, he has served on doctoral thesis committees (7), master’s thesis committees (7), and undergraduate thesis committees (4) and has supervised three collaboration grants in research.

MANAGEMENT AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

Co-director of Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry (2024-present). He has been a member of: the Faculty Board of Chemistry (2017-2021). The University Senate at the University of Valencia (2017-2021); the Governing Council of the University of Valencia (2020-2021); the Research Commission of the Department of Organic Chemistry (2018-2021, 2024-present); the Internship Commission of the Faculty of Chemistry (2022-present); the CAT of the Degree in Optics and Optometry (2023-2025); the Quality Committee of the Faculty of Chemistry (2024-present). President of the Academic Coordination Committee (CCA) of the Master’s Degree in Organic Chemistry (2024-present).  He has participated in the Local Organizing Committee of the Chemistry Olympiad (2020 and 2023), the Preselection Committee of the “Reacciona” Contest (2020, 2021, and 2022), and >20 hiring committees. He has completed over 30 courses (>380 hours) in University Teaching Training and Innovation, including the FIPU program (Integral University Teacher Training, 150 hours).

Last Updated: 30/10/2025