From an early age, Liliana Perez Manriquez was interested to learn about different cultures, languages, and ways of life. It was during her senior year, studying Biological and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), where she attended a recruiting session and discovered KAUST. She felt that KAUST met all the requirements to develop her academic career and fulfill her motivations.

In 2012, Liliana started a Master's Degree in Bioscience under the supervision Prof. Klaus-Viktor Peinemann. Fueled by the good results obtained, she continued her doctoral studies focused on the manufacture of solvent resistant nanofiltration membranes that provide a cost-effective alternative for industrial separations.

On November 15, Liliana successfully defended her thesis entitled 'Bioinspired solvent resistant nanofiltration membranes'.

"As a bioscience student, it was a challenging and exciting journey.  Thanks to the guidance of Prof. Peinemann, I was able to combine bioscience and membrane science by manufacturing bioinspired solvent resistant nanofiltration membranes, which are useful for industrial separation processes such as purification of active pharmaceutical ingredients, catalyst recovery, solvent recovery, etc.," Liliana explains.

"I am very happy to have been involved in this multidisciplinary research during my Ph.D. and being able to publish six papers," she adds.

Liliana's research has always been oriented towards industrial applications, and she would like to continue doing so.

"I really want to work in the industry because I would love to see my work materialized in using technology for humanity," she notes.

Finally, she recommends students from around the world to come to KAUST and enjoy this unique experience.

"Living and studying at KAUST is a great experience; you will never have the chance to encounter so many cultures, amazing facilities, and talented staff in one single space. It's an oasis for research in the middle of the desert where you can accomplish all that your scientific inspiration tells you with the right guidance of the faculty", concludes Liliana.

AMPM Center wishes Dr. Perez Manriquez all the best!