Researcher Careers in Finland: Eduardo Anaya studies dyes and cellulosic materials

Case - Published 12.12.2024

Researcher, PhD Eduardo Anaya works at Aalto University and studies dyes and cellulosic materials. Currently his work focuses on developing new dyes for biomedical applications and optoelectronics. Let’s take a closer look at his career journey.

Career in academia and bioeconomy has meant living and working in various countries for Eduardo Anaya. Originally from Spain, Anaya has settled in Finland with his wife and two little children. He states that Finland is one of those very few places where you can successfully balance work and family life.

Working here has also meant combining two fields of interest: “I quickly realized the clear symbiosis between my interest in light-activated technologies and cellulose.”

“When I moved to Finland, I found an entire ecosystem revolving around the bioeconomy of cellulosic materials. Cellulose offers incredible potential as a platform for innovation and commercialization,” Anaya explains.

He adds that cellulosic materials are extraordinary matrices and support for further modification. They also have unique properties like structural colours or serving as nanocarriers, which can be used to transport for example, drugs.

Structural colours are created without pigments. Instead, the surface structure interacts with light to produce visible colours, that gives the natural iridescence to the shell of insects or feathers of birds.

Experience from across Europe

Anaya´s journey began with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, followed by a master’s in nanoscience and molecular nanotechnology, and ultimately a PhD in organic chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid.

During his academic career, he has lived in Germany, United Kingdom and now in Finland. “During the PhD, I realized that being in the same place for years was not the best choice, so I started looking for mobility”, Anaya describes.

Finland first entered the picture in 2015, thanks to an internship at Aalto University. “I liked it so much that I sought ways to return,” he recalls. This opportunity came back in 2018, when he started working as a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at Aalto University. This marked the beginning of his research career.

Currently, Anaya´s work focuses on developing new dyes for biomedical applications and optoelectronics, including lighting devices. He brings up a project about self-sterilizing cellulose-based materials capable of killing over 99.9999% of common bacteria within 15–30 minutes of sunlight exposure.

“In a world increasingly affected by power outages due to war or natural disasters, access to pathogen-free materials is critical,” he explains.

The project team has also added an extra layer of complexity to their research by focusing not only on the product itself, but also on developing greener approaches to their preparation. For instance, finding methods to decrease the reactants and solvent usage in both the dyes and the cellulosic materials.

Role of education

Beyond the lab, he emphasizes the importance of education. “As researchers, we shape the next generation of professionals. While technical knowledge is vital, values like integrity, proactivity, and a sense of community are even more crucial”, he remarks. “We can’t have good scientists without good people.”

Balancing the responsibilities of research and education requires multitasking. His typical week may involve laboratory research, teaching courses, supervising PhD students, managing projects, and applying for funding.

His motivation to work stems from both the joy of discovery and the societal impact of their work. In addition, he also finds great fulfilment in seeing students´ knowledge and drive grow, describing it to be extremely rewarding. Anaya emphasized the importance of learning both technical and soft skills. For instance, he currently undertakes courses on pedagogical skills, to be a better teacher and communicator.

“Be curious!”

To those considering a career in the bioeconomy, his advice is clear: “Keep yourself curious. Don’t settle with the amount of knowledge you have on a specific field. There is a lot of potential in the “in between”, where fields or disciplines are in contact. And to be able to exploit it, you need to either know about both fields — or know someone who does. “

Anya also highlights the importance of fundamental research. “While we all want our work to make a direct societal impact, we must remember that basic research is the foundation of innovation. We need that to make truly impactful progress.”

Throughout December and January, Bioeconomy.fi is sharing career stories from researchers in the bioeconomy sector. This article is the first part of the series #ResearchCareersInFinland

Writer of the article is Selma Salin, editor of Biotalous.fi, selma.salin(at)tapio.fi