Dr. Bárbara Bellón

My Story

“From a very young age, I have been captivated by technology. As a child, I was always building things—whether with blocks or whatever materials I could find. One day, I wanted to be an architect, the next a scientist, and then a pilot. My mother nurtured this curiosity by giving me books, and authors like Jules Verne and Carl Sagan quickly became my favourites. This early fascination eventually grew into a deeper interest in science.

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My passion for space and technology led me to pursue a degree in Industrial Engineering, followed by a Ph.D. in Materials Science at IMDEA Materials Institute in Madrid, Spain. This journey then brought me to the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials, where I focused on fundamental science, particularly in micro-mechanical testing. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a desire to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and to seek out challenging opportunities.

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After dedicating many years to science, I felt the need to broaden my horizons. During the final year of my Ph.D., I completed a Master's in Data Science and Machine Learning from UNED (Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Spain). This additional qualification allowed me to apply my expertise in Materials Science, combined with data science, in a more practical, industrial context.

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This drive to explore the unknown extends to my personal life as well. I am naturally curious about how things work and enjoy hands-on problem-solving. Whether it's repairing appliances, fixing pipes, modelling for 3D printing or engaging in crafts like woodworking, sewing, and knitting, I find great satisfaction in the process of creating and improving.”