Catalina is a Research Group Leader at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin responsible for applied catalysis research in the Energy Materials In-Situ Laboratory. Catalina leads the Work Package 1 in the CARE-O-SENE project. One aspect of this work package is the development of thin film catalysts for the Fischer-Tropsch Technology that is driven by the HZB team. Furthermore, she coordinates the synchrotron-based characterization approaches of HZB at the BESSY II Light Source for Work Package 2 and transfers the knowledge for the design and development of thin-film based micro-channel reactors in Work Package 3.
Catalina has several years of experience combining synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopies, scattering and imaging methods. Related to the CARE-O-SENE project dedicated deposition chambers for synthesis as well as high-pressure Fischer-Tropsch reaction chambers for testing have been set up. These tools allow to generate highly innovative thin-film catalysts (Cat 4) and distinguish surface from bulk phenomena with elemental specificity during chemical reactions using synchrotron light. The goal of this subproject is to fabricate robust and stable catalysts minimizing the use of raw materials.
Catalina organizes the HZB Photon School, which contributes to the CARE-O-SENE mentoring programme, and is also an active mentor within the program.
She has a PhD in engineering science from TU Berlin, Germany, and studied physics and materials science in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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