Céline Calvino

Céline was born and grew up in La Chaux-De-Fonds, Switzerland. She received her MSc degree from the department of Chemistry at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland, with a focus in organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and materials science. She completed her master thesis at Asulab, a division of The Swatch Group R&D Ltd, investigating the formation of homogeneous and resistant anchor layers on the surface of watch components, and on the introduction of the epilam (anti-spreading agent) effect using controlled polymerization processes via “grafting from” and “grafting to” methods. Céline stayed in Fribourg to pursue her PhD in polymer chemistry and materials at Adolphe Merkle Institute under the supervision of Prof. Christoph Weder. Her thesis focused on the design of chromogenic systems relying on supramolecular interactions and on their incorporation into polymeric materials to create new functional mechanoresponsive materials. Céline joined the group of Stuart Rowan at Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, at the University of Chicago, as a postdoctoral fellow with a SNFS Mobility Fellowship seeking to enhance her knowledge on the preparation and the use of cellulose nanocrystals, dynamic covalent bonds and materials engineering. Her research focused on the use of dynamic covalent chemistry to functionalize cellulose nanocrystals and on the development of appropriate engineering melt processes for the preparation of mechanically reinforced and sustainable nanocomposite materials. Early in 2021, Céline was appointed as Junior group Leader and principal investigator at the University of Freiburg, Germany, with a research interest on the design photoresponsive systems to achieve renewable polymer materials.