Rafael Carrascosa Marzo

Co-Director of the Science Policy Department

Involvement in SRUK/CERU

Originally, I studied biotechnology with a focus on nanomedicine in the Polytechnic University of Valencia, developing and studying drug-delivery systems such as therapeutic polymers and silica nanoparticles capable of enhanced diffusion. This research led me away from Spain and acquainted me with the international academic field. Following my scientific curiosity, and after a MSc in Denmark, I started a PhD on DNA-based, self-assembling structures, their design and applications, in the University of Oxford, under a Marie Curie grant within the DNA-Robotics Innovative Training Network.
After completing my research thesis, I worked part-time as a postdoctoral researcher on the same laboratory continuing my PhD project for a year while also playing a role as a science policy officer for the Scientific Advise Mechanism (SAM) to the European Commission. In March 2024 I started working as a Capabilities and Impact Coordinator at CAPE (Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement) at UCL, where I am developing a capability building strategy for developing the academic-policy engagement interphase in the UK.
I am interested in applying the knowledge and transversal skills acquired during my formative years in informing science policy; providing comprehensible and comprehensive reports to stakeholders involved in policy-making, while aiding in the coordination and management of the efforts of research networks.