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 over 60 high-ranking, peer-reviewed international journals. She has presented her research work in more than 50 International Scientific Conferences and has several patents accepted out of her work. In her research career to date she has formed and actively maintain multiple collaborations in an international and interdisciplinary context, including both academia and industry. Some of the main current foci of her group’s research include the fabrication of multifunctional polymer nanocomposites for applications in the aerospace sector and graphene/polymer fibres for wearable electronics. Dr Vallés is also working on the development of sustainable materials that can replace products currently used in industry, e.g. she is currently leading a research project on sustainable replacements for coal tar pitch binders.