Dr Cristina Vallés is a Lecturer in Polymer Nanocomposites at the Department of Materials. She leads a research group focused on the development of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites for applications in the aerospace sector, and nanostructured polymer fibres for wearable electronics. Her research activity in the field of Functional Nanomaterials has been published in more than 60 high-ranking, peer-reviewed international journals. She has presented her research work in more than 50 International Scientific Conferences (including 15 invited seminars) and has two international patents accepted out of her work. In her research career she has formed and actively maintain multiple collaborations in an international and interdisciplinary context, including both academia and industry.

Dr Vallés is currently the Programme Director for the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) Postgraduate Taught Studies at the Department of Materials, and works as an Academic Theme Lead (Composites) for the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC).

Academic Course 2025/2026:

MATS68301 - Principles of Polymers & Composites (Unit Coordinator & Lecturer)

MATS32402  - Multiphase Polymers & Nanocomposites (Unit Coordinator & Lecturer)

Current research projects in Dr Valles' group include:

• Epoxy nanocomposites for out-of-autoclave thermosets curing and CFRPs repair through resistive heating.

• Electrically conductive nanocomposites as heating elements for thermoplastics Joule welding.

• Graphene and silica based stimuli responsive ionic nanocomposites.

• MultiFunctional Hybrid Epoxy and Vitrimer Nanocomposites.

• Multifunctional fibres based on nanomaterials for a new generation of wearable sensors.

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy