Interview with Dr. Carlos Marcuello—Winner of the Nanomaterials Best Paper Award

We are delighted to invite the winner of the Nanomaterials 2023 Best Paper Award, Dr. Carlos Marcuello, to discuss his article, “A Review of the Current State of Magnetic Force Microscopy to Unravel the Magnetic Properties of Nanomaterials Applied in Biological Systems and Future Directions for Quantum Technologies”. The paper was published in Nanomaterials (ISSN: 2079-4991)  and has received a significant amount of positive feedback from our readers.

Dr. Carlos Marcuello is a biophysicist with a strong international career. After earning his bachelor's and master’s degrees from the University of Zaragoza, he obtained his PhD with honors from the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragón (INMA, Spain). Then, he spent five years on postdoctoral stages in Paris, Lisbon, and Reims (France, Portugal). Currently at the Biofisika Institute (Leioa, Spain), he is at the cutting-edge of research by coupling fluorescence microscopy with ultraspeed atomic force microscopy (AFM) to unravel cell membrane dynamics and repair processes. His research focuses on advanced AFM studies to determine topology, nanomechanics, and adhesion properties of soft matter systems.

The following is a short interview with Dr. Carlos Marcuello:

1. How did you first learn about Nanomaterials, and what made you decide to submit your work to us?
As a researcher in nanoscience, I relied on prestigious publications in scientific journals like Nanomaterials to stay abreast of the state-of-the-art. My doctoral work at the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragón (INMA, Zaragoza, Spain) demanded a comprehensive understanding of the most relevant findings, and this journal was an invaluable resource to gain knowledge in the latest discoveries in this exciting field.

2. What was the core insight or most exciting finding of your award-winning study?
The review paper titled “A Review of the Current State of Magnetic Force Microscopy to Unravel the Magnetic Properties of Nanomaterials Applied in Biological Systems and Future Direction for Quantum Technologies” by Robert Winkler (Christian Doppler Laboratory-DEFINE Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria), Miguel Ciria (Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, INMA, Zaragoza, Spain), Margaret Ahmad (Photobiology Research Group, IBPS, Paris, France), Harald Plank (Christian Doppler Laboratory-DEFINE Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria) and Carlos Marcuello (Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón, INMA, Zaragoza, Spain) critically examines the application of magnetic force microscopy (MFM) in the characterization of biological sourced magnetic nanomaterials. This work shows a critical forward-looking perspective connecting biomagnetism to the emerging field of quantum technologies through the design and development of ultrasharp magnetic tips to increase the sensitivity limits of this technique.

3. What inspired you to pursue this specific research direction?
The quantum revolution is no longer a distant dream but a tangible reality. We are on the brink of a new technological era where the peculiar laws of quantum mechanics will be harnessed to transform our world.

The coming decades promise to redefine our understanding of computation, security, and measurement. With continuous breakthroughs in qubit stability, error correction, and scalable hardware, we are moving beyond the realm of theoretical physics and into practical, commercial applications. This progress will unlock new frontiers in medicine, finance, materials science, and artificial intelligence, paving the way for innovations we can only begin to imagine.

4. Could you share a challenge you encountered during the research process and how you overcame it?
The successful completion of this work was made possible by the invaluable collaboration of brilliant researchers. I am deeply grateful for their expertise and willingness to cooperate, which ensured a smooth and efficient process.

5. How does it feel to receive this award, and what does it mean to you and your team?
This award is far more than a simple accolade; it is a powerful validation of our vision. It reinforces our belief that our work is truly impactful and meaningful. Most importantly, it is a tremendous motivator, inspiring us to continue pushing the boundaries and striving for excellence in our field.

6. What’s one piece of advice you would give to early career researchers?
Hard work, excellence, and integrity are the cornerstones of achieving our objectives. Rather than viewing setbacks as failures, we see each failed experiment as a crucial learning opportunity, building the invaluable troubleshooting skills needed to propel our research forward.

7. Are you planning to continue this line of research? What's next?
I specialize in using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to address the fundamental physicochemical properties of soft matter systems, including nanomechanics, magnetism, adhesion, topology, and surface chemistry at the nanoscale.

My future research aims to apply this expertise to unravel the key molecular mechanisms driving diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. By combining advanced techniques like nanoindentation and force spectroscopy with functionalized tips, I intend to identify more effective drug candidates and accelerate their translation into clinical therapies.

8. How was your experience with our submission and peer-review process? Do you have any suggestions for us?
The peer-review process was an exceptionally valuable experience. The reviewers provided insightful and constructive feedback, highlighting key shortcomings and areas for improvement. Their comments were instrumental in strengthening the scientific quality of our manuscript.