María de Nicolás Morillas is an aerospace engineer with a deep-seated passion for design and materials science. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master’s in Materials Science and Engineering from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, where her academic work included theses on hybrid welding of polymer-based composites and three-dimensional graphene structures for electromagnetic shielding. She completed her PhD in 2021 with a focus on the mechanical integrity of metal-ceramic composite hard materials, attaining Cum Laude and International PhD distinctions and receiving the Outstanding Thesis Award and SECV-YOUNEXA Award. Her current postdoctoral research lines include additive manufacturing, high-entropy alloys, and Ni-based superalloys for aerospace and hydrogen storage applications.

María has gained significant experience through various roles. She has worked as a guest researcher -Delft University of Technology (ten months), Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (three months) and Ceratizit company in Luxembourg (International PhD stay, four months)-, as an assistant professor and as research assistant at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. She has also mentored in the STEM Talent Girl program and enjoys hobbies such as hiking, climbing, and playing the piano.