Laura Campanella

PhD candidate
Utrecht University

Department

Soft Condensed Matter & Biophysics

Contact information

Room
Ornsteinlaboratorium 020

Email address
l.campanella@uu.nl

Key expertises

Catalysis, Nanoparticles, Functional materials, Sustainability

About me

I was born near Como, Italy. I received my BSc in Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry at Insubria University. After the graduation, I worked on wearable electronics. I moved to Bologna where I attended a MSc in Industrial Sustainable Chemistry. Catalysis and functional materials were my focus. Indeed, my thesis project was about the development of a carbon dioxide sensitive (luminescent) material. In January 2025 I started my PhD as ARC CBBC member in the SCMB group at UU.

About my research

The objective of my research is the production of Ordered Mesoporous Graphene from Methane through the application of a well-ordered 3D-structured catalyst. This project is coherent with my background in Sustainable Industrial Chemistry since it is focused on the catalytic valorization of one of the major atmospheric pollutant (CH₄) into hydrogen, which is a promising energy carrier, and graphene. This product, in particular, can be applied in different sectors (e.g. electrochemistry) enhancing the possible developments of the project. In order to provide a detailed study of the reaction, different characterization techniques will be highly needed (e.g SERS, TEM, SEM). Thus, the collaboration on new techniques with experts from other groups is always welcome.

Academic career

PhD Candidate

2025-current: PhD candidate in Soft Condensed Matter and Biophysics group at Utrecht University, under supervision of Prof. Dr. A. van Blaaderen and Marijn van Huis.

MSc

2022-2025: Master’s degree in Low Carbon Technologies and Sustainable Chemistry at Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna. Thesis under the local supervision of Dr. Thijs Besseling about carbon dioxide sensitive material development.

BSc

2018-2021: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry. Thesis under the supervision of Prof. D. Monticelli about the development of an analytical method for the quantification of epoxides in hyaluronic acid formulations.