Dr. Vilà-Nadal leads the LVN-Group at the University of Glasgow, an internationally recognised team for advancing molecular inorganic chemistry through a combination of computational chemistry and experimentation, creating new functional materials, and training future innovators.
Hi! I’m Laia Vilà Nadal
Biochemist, Materials Scientist and Educator
Who I Am:
I am first and foremost a biochemist, fascinated by how molecules and materials connect with life. My career has followed a strange, non-linear path that has shaped how I see research, teaching, and leadership. Today, I lead the LVN-Group at the University of Glasgow, where we combine computational chemistry, inverse design, and experiments to create functional systems spanning molecular-oxo clusters to bio-inspired materials.
My Journey:
Born in 1983 in Valls, Spain, old enough to remember life before smartphones and social media, young enough to believe science will change the world.
- 2006–07 — I hold two Catalan llicenciatures (equivalent to BSc): Chemistry (2006) and Biochemistry (2007), both from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona (Spain)
- 2008 — MSc in Theoretical & Computational Chemistry (2008), as part of the now established European Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling (TCCM) network, class of 2007 in Santander.)
- 2007–2011 — PhD in Computational Inorganic Chemistry in the Quantum Chemistry Group
- 2011–2019 — Postdoctoral researcher in the Cronin Group (including a Nature paper); later Group Coordinator for four years
- 2019–present — Lecturer in Inorganic & Materials Chemistry, University of Glasgow
Full bio:
I am first and foremost a biochemist, exploring how molecules and materials connect with life. I earned BSc degrees in Chemistry (2006) and Biochemistry (2007) at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona, Spain), followed by an MSc (2008) in Theoretical & Computational Chemistry and a PhD (2011). I learned how to be a scientist during my postdoctoral years in Lee Cronin’s group, and I must have learned it quite well, with a few papers published in JACS, Angewandte Chemie, and yes, even in Nature (the proper Nature, not just the spin-offs… though I published in those too 😏). I then spent four years as Group Coordinator in Lee’s group, gaining experience not only in research but also in leading teams and managing complex projects, etc.
I never originally planned to be an academic, and this has given me a non-linear, “strange” career path that shapes how I approach research and leadership. Since 2019, I have been a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, leading a group that combines computational modeling, inverse design, and experiment to develop functional systems spanning metal oxide clusters to bio-inspired materials.
Along the way, I have applied for (and failed at) securing many fellowships and grants and had more papers rejected than accepted. These experiences are part of the reality of science, and they have taught me resilience, humility, and the value of persistence.
I remain committed to teaching, mentoring, and building a people-first culture where science and scientists can thrive.
My Values:
My mother language is Catalan, and this has made me deeply aware of the importance of identity, diversity, and respect in science. I believe that different voices and perspectives make research stronger, and this shapes how I mentor and lead.
Since I never originally planned to be an academic, I bring a perspective that is different from the “traditional path.” For me, people come first: good science is only possible when scientists feel supported, valued, and free to be creative.
My leadership style is rooted in mentoring, collaboration, and openness, a deliberate alternative to the competitive, hyper-individualist culture that too often dominates academia.
Beyond the Lab:
Outside the lab, I enjoy oil painting, learning piano, and hitting the gym, along with the bon vivant mix of family, friends, travel, and good wine. Creativity and curiosity drive both my science and my life!
Find Me Online:
You can find my full academic record and profiles here: