
Dr Paula Facal Marina
Grant-Funded Researcher (A)
School of Physics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences
Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology
My professional career as a Chemist spans across over 15 years, applying progressive knowledge of environmental chemistry, nanotechnology and organic synthetic chemistry to contribute to groundbreaking scientific research.
Notable accomplishments include the participation in innovative research projects at the interface between chemistry and biomaterials science to develop innovative solutions to current and emerging biomedical and environmental challenges.
My extensive experience as a chemist includes providing advice on matters such as waste and quality management, food packaging and conservation, identification of chemical hazards and advising on its correct manipulation and storage.
- My Research
- Career
- Publications
- Grants and Funding
- Teaching
- Supervision
- Professional Activities
- Contact
- Delivery gel lead optimisation: chemical formulation, Carina Biotech - CRC-P2 -patent filed
- Development of a thermo-responsive gel formulation for the localised delivery of CAR-T cells for the treatment of solid tumours, Cell Therapy Manufacturing CRC-funded project (P1-10)
- Development of functionalised nanoparticles for the detection and in situ treatment of cancer tumours, University of South Australia, 2016
- Method for marking magnetic nanoparticles to enhance microwave coatings and other applications, Frinova, University of Vigo, 2012. – translated and commercialised
- Different strategies for gold nanoparticles bio functionalisation for bacteria quantification, University of Vigo, 2011-2012.
- Development of an atmospheric physico chemistry dynamic model for local contamination analysis, 1999
-
Appointments
Date Position Institution name 2020 - ongoing Academic Coordinator Diploma of engineering and IT South Australian Institute of Business and Technology - UniSA 2020 - ongoing Research Associate University of Adelaide 2020 - 2020 Discipline Lead for the Diploma of Engineering South Australian Institute of Business and Technology - UniSA 2018 - ongoing University Tutor UniSA 2017 - 2020 Research Associate University of South Australia 2016 - 2017 Research Assistant University of South Australia 2015 - 2015 Administrative support services UniSA 2013 - 2016 High Degree by Research student University of South Australia 2012 - 2013 Research assistant - Fellowship Electronic Microscopy University Hospital Complex Of Vigo 2012 - 2012 Research Assistant University of Vigo 2012 - 2012 Research assistant University of Vigo 2010 - 2011 Research Assistant - Fellowship University of Vigo 2010 - 2010 Field Chemistry Technician Inserpyme Global 2009 - 2010 Field Service Consultant Mira Novas Tecnoloxias S.L. 2009 - 2009 Consultant for Corporate Training and Development Activa Formacion 2005 - 2008 WHS Project Manager L&L architecture 1998 - 2008 Research Assistant University of Vigo -
Education
Date Institution name Country Title 2013 - 2016 UniSA Australia PhD Applied Science and Materials 2011 - 2012 Complutense University of Madrid Spain Masters in Science and Technology of Colloids and Interfaces 1987 - 1993 Universidad de Buenos Aires Argentina Bachelors in Chemistry Sciences -
Postgraduate Training
Date Title Institution Country 2013 Project Management e-Grad School LEAP Australia Australia 2013 Research Commercialisation e-Grad School LEAP Australia Australia 2010 Masters in Quality Management and Internal Quality Auditor Euroinnova Spain -
Certifications
Date Title Institution name Country — Emergency Fire warden Tactical Training Australia - — First aid St John, Adelaide Australia -
Research Interests
-
Journals
Year Citation 2022 Yan, J., Gundsambuu, B., Krasowska, M., Platts, K., Facal Marina, P., Gerber, C., . . . Blencowe, A. (2022). Injectable Diels-Alder cycloaddition hydrogels with tuneable gelation, stiffness and degradation for the sustained release of T-lymphocytes.. Journal of materials chemistry. B, 10(17), 3329-3343.
Scopus5 WoS5 Europe PMC22021 Yan, J., Marina, P. F., & Blencowe, A. (2021). A facile strategy for the high yielding, quantitative conversion of polyglycol end-groups to amines. Polymers, 13(9), 1403-1-1403-11.
Scopus3 WoS2 Europe PMC12020 Otto, S., Marina, P. F., Zhou, F., & Blencowe, A. (2020). Thermoresponsive polysaccharides with tunable thermoresponsive properties via functionalisation with alkylamide groups. Carbohydrate Polymers, 254, 1-12.
Scopus3 WoS32020 Brewer, K., Gundsambuu, B., Facal Marina, P., Barry, S. C., & Blencowe, A. (2020). Thermoresponsive Poly(ε-Caprolactone)-Poly(Ethylene/Propylene Glycol) Copolymers as Injectable Hydrogels for Cell Therapies.. Polymers, 12(2), 19 pages.
Scopus16 WoS15 Europe PMC42020 Ayeleru, O. O., Dlova, S., Akinribide, O. J., Ntuli, F., Kupolati, W. K., Facal Marina, P., . . . Olubambi, P. A. (2020). Challenges of plastic waste generation and management in sub-Saharan Africa: A review. Waste Management, 110, 24-42.
Scopus48 WoS40 Europe PMC32019 Graham, S., Marina, P., & Blencowe, A. (2019). Thermoresponsive polysaccharides and their thermoreversible physical hydrogel networks. Carbohydrate Polymers, 207, 143-159.
Scopus92 WoS81 Europe PMC172019 Burzava, A., Forget, A., Harding, F., Cockshell, M., Penko, D., Rouzaud, C., . . . Voelcker, N. (2019). Replica moulded poly(dimethylsiloxane) microwell arrays induce localized endothelial cell immobilization for coculture with pancreatic islets. Biointerphases, 14(1), 9 pages.
2018 Facal Marina, P., Xu, J., Wu, X., & Xu, H. (2018). Thinking outside the box: Placing hydrophilic particles in an oil phase for the formation and stabilization of Pickering emulsions. Chemical Science, 9(21), 4821-4829.
Scopus20 WoS19 Europe PMC22018 Ozcelik, B., Palmer, J., Ladewig, K., Facal Marina, P., Stevens, G. W., Abberton, K., . . . Qiao, G. G. (2018). Biocompatible porous polyester-ether hydrogel scaffolds with cross-linker mediated biodegradation and mechanical properties for tissue augmentation. Polymers, 10(2), 1-19.
Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC22018 Facal Marina, P., Cheng, C., Sedev, R., Stocco, A., Binks, B., & Wang, D. (2018). Van der Waals Emulsions: Emulsions Stabilized by Surface-Inactive, Hydrophilic Particles via van der Waals Attraction. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 57(30), 9510-9514.
Scopus16 WoS16 Europe PMC12018 Facal Marina, P., Delcheva, I., & Beattie, D. A. (2018). Multi-modal stabilisation of emulsions using a combination of hydrophilic particles and an amino acid. Colloids and Surfaces A, 538, 765-773.
Scopus3 WoS32017 Richter, K., Facal, P., Thomas, N., Vandecandelaere, I., Ramezanpour, M., Cooksley, C., . . . Vreugde, S. (2017). Taking the silver bullet colloidal silver particles for the topical treatment of biofilm-related infections. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 9(26), 21631-21638.
Scopus35 WoS34 Europe PMC132015 Xi, C., Facal, P., Xia, H., & Wang, D. (2015). Directed self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into plasmonic chains. Soft Matter, 11(23), 4562-4571.
Scopus43 WoS38 Europe PMC111999 Iglesias-Fernández, O., Facal, P., González, M., & Rey, F. (1999). Conductimetric analysis of the interaction of Cu(II) ions and a humic-like natural polyelectrolyte (Laurel, Laurus nobilis) mixture. Analytica Chimica Acta, 401(1-2), 251-255.
Scopus2 WoS31999 Kaemmerer, M., Guiresse, M., Revel, J. C., Koetz, P., Facal, P., & Rey, F. (1999). Conductimetric behaviour of humic acids with Cu(II) ions. Analusis, 27(5), 421-423.
Scopus6 WoS51997 Rey, F., Pérez-Asenjo, M., Machado, A. A. S. C., Facal, P., & Ferreira, M. A. (1997). Influence of small alcohol concentrations on the conductimetric behaviour of a natural polyelectrolyte (laurel, laurus nobilis). Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 431(1), 77-79.
Scopus4 WoS41996 Rey, F., Ferreira, M. A., Facal, P., & Machado, A. A. S. C. (1996). Effect of concentration, pH, and ionic strength on the viscosity of solutions of a soil fulvic acid. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 74(3), 295-299.
Scopus12 WoS131995 Rey, F., Pérez-Asenjo, M., Machado, A. A. S. C., Facal, P., Ferreira, M. A., & Toja, A. (1995). Conductimetric analysis of the ion binding properties of three leaf extracts of chestnut (Castanea sativa), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) and oak (Quercus robur). Talanta, 42(12), 1919-1923.
Scopus8 WoS9- L, M. (n.d.). Comparisons on Different Liquid Crystals Doped with Various Sized Gold Nanoparticles for Nonvolatile Memory Effects. Nanoscience & Technology: Open Access, 4(1), 1-10.
-
Book Chapters
Year Citation 2022 Facal Marina, P., Kaul, L., Mischer, N., & Richter, K. (2022). Metal-Based Nanoparticles for Biofilm Treatment and Infection Control: From Basic Research to Clinical Translation. In Springer Series on Biofilms (pp. 467-500). Springer International Publishing.
- China–Australia Centre for Health Sciences Research (CACHSR) – CHIEF INVESTIGATOR 2018
- China–Australia Centre for Health Sciences Research (CACHSR) - 2017
- UniSA Travel Grant – University of South Australia - 2015
- PhD Scholarship – International President Scholarship – University of South Australia - 2012
- Research Fellowship Electronic Microscopy – CACTI (Scientific and Technological Research Assistance Centre) – University of Vigo - 2012
- Masters’ studies Scholarship – Spanish Government – Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports - 2011
- Research Fellow - Nanotechnology and Surface Analysis - CACTI (Scientific and Technological Research Assistance Centre) – University of Vigo - 2010
- Post-Graduate Travel Grant – University of Vigo – 1998/2000/2011
- Becas de Tercer Ciclo (post-graduate grant) – University of Vigo – 1995-1996
Supervision
Visiting and summer students
High Degree by Research Students (UniSA)
Honours students (First class 2019)
Leadership positions | Course development
Discipline Lead Diploma of Engineering - South Australian Institute of Business and Technology (UniSA)
Course coordination and lecturing
Physics 1,2 and maths and Stats – SAIBT
Tutoring and Laboratory demonstrator
Chemistry (UniSA)
Physical Chemistry University Assistant Lecturer (University of Vigo, Spain)
University teaching – Private
Statistics for Engineers - Centrovigo
High School Teaching
Maths, Physics and Chemistry Teacher (Academia Barreiro)
Maths, Physics and Chemistry Teacher (Colegio Marcote)
-
Other Supervision Activities
Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name 2019 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Synthesis of polymers for biomedical applications UniSA - Doctorate Full Time Yan Yie 2018 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Thermoresponsive Polysaccharides for biomedical applications UniSA School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences Division of Health Sciences Doctorate Full Time Sarah Otto 2018 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Development of Novel Thermoresponsive Polysaccharides with Tunable Transition Temperatures UniSA Bachelor of Biomedical Research (Honours) Honours Full Time Sarah Otto
-
Memberships
Date Role Membership Country 2020 - ongoing Member Premier's Women's Directory Australia 2017 - ongoing Member Scimex Australia 2017 - ongoing Member RACI Australia 2015 - ongoing Member Association of Colloid and Interface Scientists Germany 2015 - ongoing Member Australian Nanotechnology Network Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles