At ICN2, we are proud to celebrate the recognition of two of our researchers and Group Leaders in the 2026 Awards of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (RSEQ), one of the country’s leading scientific organisations in the field. ICREA Prof. Daniel Maspoch, leader of the Supramolecular Nanochemistry and Materials Group, has been awarded the RSEQ Medal. ICREA Prof. María Escudero-Escribano, head of the NanoElectrocatalysis and Sustainable Chemistry Group, has received the Excellence in Research Award, highlighting the institute’s significant contribution to cutting-edge chemical research.

The RSEQ, a non-profit scientific society with more than a century of history, works to promote the advancement, dissemination and application of chemistry in Spain, supporting both fundamental research and its industrial and societal applications. Its annual awards recognise the most outstanding careers and scientific contributions within the community.

The RSEQ Medal: recognising Prof. Maspoch’s outstanding scientific career

The RSEQ Medal awarded to Prof. Maspoch represents the highest distinction granted by the Society. Each year, it honours the scientific excellence of one of its members, considering leadership, international visibility, innovation, and impact of their research lines.

Prof. Maspoch’s research lies at the intersection of chemistry and nanoscience. His pioneering work includes “Clip-off Chemistry”, an approach that transforms complex chemical structures into new functional materials through controlled molecular disassembly. This research line obtained significant European funding through an ERC Advanced Grant. His team is also renowned for developing delivery systems and advanced porous materials, including metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and related covalent structures, which have applications in fields such as biomedicine and catalysis.

This medal adds to a series of prestigious recognitions received by Prof. Maspoch, including the Rei Jaume I Award for New Technologies (2023), the Hermanos Elhuyar Award from the German Chemical Society (2024), and the Scientific Excellence Award from the Catalan Society of Chemistry (2025).

Excellence in Research Award: highlighting Prof. Escudero-Escribano's leadership and trajectory

Prof. Escudero-Escribano has been honoured with the Excellence in Research Award for her leadership, independent scientific trajectory, and the quality and impact of her research over the past five years.  

Her work focuses on understanding and optimising fundamental electrochemical processes for the production of renewable fuels and value-added chemicals, as well as decarbonisation. She holds an ERC Consolidator Grant (2023-2028) on atomic-scale tailored materials for electrochemical methane conversion (ATOMISTIC). Her research lines advance the understanding and design of electrochemical interfaces for renewable energy conversion, reinforcing the crucial role of chemistry and nanoscience in the transition towards more efficient and sustainable energy technologies.

This recognition adds to other major distinctions she has received, including the National Research Award “María Teresa Toral” for Chemical Sciences and Technologies (2024), the Royal Academy of Sciences Foundation Award for Young Female Talent (2024) and the Princess of Girona Scientific Research Award (2018). She is also an elected member of the Young Academy of Spain and the Scientific Advisory Committee of CSIC.

We sincerely congratulate both researchers on these well-deserved achievements, which stand as a testament to the excellence, innovation, and impact of the research carried out at ICN2.