María Dulce Pérez Mezcua (Qui 10 and PhD 16) always knew that the world of science and the researcher degree program had a hard side - of intense work-. Over time, after the Degree and the doctorate, she has discovered a reverse side full of gratification for the results at laboratory and for the challenge of contributing to the advancement of materials science.

- How did you receive the recognition of the extraordinary award of doctorate at Chemistry?
It was a great joy. The perfect culmination to a year of much work, since I was working at workshop completely on das-Nano at the same time that I was writing the thesis . In fact, the greatest award was to finish it, and to do it with a recognition like this award.

- What was the theme of your research at doctorate?
In my doctoral thesis we have studied ferro-piezoelectric materials. Ferro-piezoelectricity is very present in many of the technological devices used today: from the approach sensors of a vehicle, to the training of images in an ultrasound scan, or to the storage of information in a report. In particular, the work focused on the (Bi0.5Na0.5)TiO3-BaTiO3 system, which are lead-free compositions and, in principle, biocompatible.

- How do you value the training received in the School of Sciences at the time of orienting your professional future?
I have received a very good training. The thesis is developed at the University of Navarra and at the high school of Materials Science in Madrid, belonging to the committee Superior Institute for Scientific Research (ICMM-CSIC). All the training received during this stage has been very important to give me the tools I needed and help me to focus my knowledge in the field of Materials Science. Specifically, nanomaterials, where work is currently working at das-Nano, as a PhD in Chemistry at department of research and development.

- In the degree program researcher, what would you say is the kindest side? And the hardest?
Let's start with the hardest. Science itself is hard, in the sense that there are many days of arduous work in which nothing seems to come out. And, in spite of everything, you have to keep going.

When I talked to a new PhD student who was starting thesis I always told him that the worst year is the second one, when you see neither the beginning nor the end. But then comes the good part, when you reap the fruits of the daily work , of perseverance and, with the financial aid of the directors of thesis , results appear on laboratory that allow you to publish, go to congresses and share exciting experiences with people working in the same field as you. These moments are very motivating and make the scientificdegree program so rewarding.

- What are your short-term plans deadline?
For now I will continue with my work at das-Nano, business dedicated to the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. Doing so allows me to continue within the field of my doctoral thesis -materials science-, halfway between physics and Chemistry. In this sense, the training that I have received during the thesis -both at the University of Navarra and at ICMM- has been crucial to be able to meet the challenges that we face from the department of research and development of das-Nano.