Where do you come from?

I am Adhil Kabeer, and I am from Kerala which is the southern-most state in India. I am BS-MS Chemistry graduate from IISER Bhopal, India.

What are your main personal and professional concerns?

On a personal note, I would love to have much more exposure to the environment and to evolve herein (with new country and culture). Professionally, I want to complete my doctoral studies with successful projects (collaboration and secondments) while completing all the training (transferable and soft skills) and supported by the IDEAL training program.

What does your research consist on?

Photosynthesis is one of the most efficient processes in nature. If you look at the work horses of this process, you can find proteins with chromophores. We work with protein-biohybrids for light harvesting by taking inspiration from the design principles of nature. To this end, we utilize de novo proteins (Alpha 4) and chromophores (TADF) to assemblies. TADF molecules are known for their delayed fluorescence and is potent of having cent percent quantum efficiency.  Nonetheless, they are prone to their environment. We design protein constructs and rule out the influence of protein environment on the chromophore properties (conducive for light energy harvesting).

What power does science have to transform the world?

Science is the key to everything and has the power to advance the world ahead. For instance, think of the pandemic; the scientific exploration with biomolecules (like proteins) that people did in the past, made it possible to have the vaccines. In the Bio-Engineered Nanophotonics group, we delve into proteins to harness the potential of light.

Where do you find inspiration?

I would like to attribute my inspiration to 2 facets. One being my parents, the kind of nurturement and support that given from childhood are pivotal to evolve me as person. I would also like to gratefully acknowledge my teachers who laid the cornerstone teaching and introducing me to scientific concepts and also the inspirational stories of many great scientists. The kind of freedom they give me and an opportunity to train under them is a blessing for me. Long story short, they influence a lot and without any doubt I derive inspiration from them.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

I would love to work in a scientific environment/organization, while profoundly spreading the power of science education (in downtrodden and rural areas). I aspire to work and enjoy a career in academia (to pass on light to next generation), given my doctoral studies complement it.

Why IMDEA Nanociencia?

IMDEA Nanoscience offers best suited interdisciplinary/international environment for young aspirants like me in the field of nanoscience. Research here in IMDEA foster industrial collaborations, develop our ideas beyond lab desks.

More information on the IDEAL Fellowships Programme 

The IDEAL Fellowships Programme is supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND. Grant agreement ID: 101034431.