Experts in Cellular Materials
Our Specialists
At CellMat Technologies we believe in the strength and power of a great team of experts. More than 20 years of experience behind us support our knowledge and specialized know-how. Meet our specialists and do not hesitate to contact them if you have any inquiries.
Miguel Angel Rodriguez Perez, Ph.D
CEO
Physicist, Ph.D. in Physics (University of Valladolid, 1999). Miguel Ángel Rodriguez-Perez is a full professor at the University of Valladolid. In 2012 he founded CellMat Technologies. He is a well-known scientist in the field of polymeric foams, topic in which he has published more than 290 papers, filed more than 15 patents (several of them transferred to companies), has supervised 38 PhD students, and participated in more than 200 international conferences giving more than 25 invited or plenary talks. From January 2019 he is the Editor in Chief of the Scientific Journal “Cellular Polymers”. He is also a fellow of the Society of Plastics and Engineers (SPE) from 2017. Currently, his research is focused on advanced cellular materials, polyurethane-based foams, cellular nanocomposites, nanocellular polymers and cellular bioplastics.
Cristina Saiz Arroyo, Ph.D
Manager New Products and R&D
Physicist, Ph.D. in Physics (University of Valladolid, 2012). Cristina has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2005. She has collaborated in more than 100 projects for companies involved in the plastics sector. She is an expert in polyolefin foams and her activities are focused on the management of projects connected with the development and adjustment of formulations intended for foaming applications and with the implementation of processes at industrial scale. She is also an active researcher with more than 20 papers in JCR, 4 patents and more than 70 contributions to conferences.
Alberto Lopez Gil, Ph.D
Team Leader
Industrial Engineer, Ph.D in Physics ( University of Valladolid, 2016). Alberto has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2009. He has been actively involved in several private and public funded projects in this topic. He has also published more than 20 papers in JCR and has 4 patents. His main expertise lies in biopolymer foams and rubber foams for different sectors and has also experience in the design of new methodologies to characterize the cellular structure of foams.
Ester Laguna Gutierrez, Ph.D
Team Leader
Physicist, Ph.D. in Physics (University of Valladolid, 2016). Ester has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2010. She has participated in more than 50 projects for companies involved in the plastics sector. She is an expert in analyzing the foaming mechanisms of thermoplastics by using rheology. She is leading the activities based on polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. She is also a very active researcher, with more than 20 papers in JCR and more than 30 contributions to conferences.
Mikel Mugica Izaguirre, Ph.D
Team Leader
Physicist, Industrial Ph.D. in Physics (University of Valladolid, 2022). Mikel has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2016. He has been actively involved in several private and public funded projects in this topic. He has also published 3 papers and has one patent. He is an expert in the bead foaming process at laboratory and industrial scale and has a wide experience in gas dissolution foaming processes and nanocellular polymers.
Sara Lagüens Perez
Project Manager
Chemical engineer (University of Valladolid, 2018), Master in Occupational Risk Prevention, Quality, and Environmental Management (University of Valladolid, 2019). Sara is the Project Manager of the company. She has been involved in several private and public funded projects in the field of polymeric foams. She is working in the development and characterization of polyolefin-based foams (cross-linked and non-cross-linked) manufactured by injection molding, extrusion foaming, or compression molding in one and two stages
Eduardo Sanchez Iglesias
Quality Manager
Chemist (University of Valladolid, 2020), Master in Advanced Techniques in Chemistry, Chemical Analysis and Quality Control (2021), Master in Laboratory Management: Quality, Environment and Safety (2024). Eduardo leads the quality function at CellMat Technologies since 2024, where he is responsible for monitoring quality KPIs, coordinating audits, supervising equipment calibration, managing supplier homologation and overseeing staff training and corrective actions, among others. He also has prior experience in quality departments within the food industry.
In the experimental field, he has experience in chemical synthesis and in material characterization through chromatographic techniques and standardized testing methods (ISO, ASTM). He is actively involved in gas-dissolution and reactive foaming processes, as well as in the development of new polymer materials and additives.
Ismael Sanchez Calderon, Ph.D
Senior Researcher
Physicist, Ph.D. in Physics (University of Valladolid, 2023). Ismael has been working in the field of polymer foams since 2018. He is an expert in the physical foaming process (bead foaming and gas dissolution foaming) as well as in nanocellular polymers, thermal insulation and thermal conductivity. He is also an active researcher, with one patent, more than 5 papers in JCR and more than 5 contributions to conferences.
Patricia Torres Regalado, Ph.D
Senior Researcher
Chemical Engineer (University of Salamanca, 2017), Industrial Ph.D. in Physics (University of Valladolid, 2025). Patricia has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2018. She is an expert in polyolefin-based foams (crosslinked and non-crosslinked) and chemical foaming processes (one/two-step compression molding and continuous and semicontinuous foaming processes). She has collaborated in public funded projects and privately funded projects. She is also an active researcher, with one patent, more than 2 papers and more than 5 contributions to conferences.
Marta del Val Armesto
Researcher
Chemist (University of Valladolid, 2018), Master in Advanced Chemistry Techniques, Chemical Analysis and Quality Control (2019) and Master in Prevention of Occupational Risks (2023). Marta has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2023. She is working with thermoplastic elastomers and gas dissolution foaming process (one/two-step) using physical blowing agents.
Lucia Marin Briz
Researcher
Chemist (University of Oviedo, 2019), Master in Industrial Chemistry (University of Zaragoza, 2020). Lucía brings a wealth of extensive experience to industrial research and development projects across different fields. Since 2023, she has been an integral part of CellMat Technologies as a specialist in polyolefin-based foams (crosslinked and non-crosslinked) and chemical foaming processes (compression molding, continuous and semicontinuous foaming processes).
Silvia Perez Gallego
Researcher
Mathematician (University of Salamanca 2020), Master in Engineering and Data Science. Silvia is an expert in the field of Artificial Intelligence. She is also expert in computer vision for optical microscopy images; some of the techniques include image processing, particle analysis, and neural networks. She also has experience in software development using Python and Java.
Monica Pelaez Lozano
Senior Researcher
Chemical Engineer (University of Valladolid, 2021), Master in Nanoscience and Molecular Nanotechnology (University of Valladolid, 2022). Certified in the Safe Use of Diisocyanates (2023). She has been part of CellMat Technologies since 2021, where she is currently a Senior Researcher. Her work has been mainly focused on the development and characterization of polyurethane-based cellular materials. She has extensive experience in the design of tailor-made polyurethane formulations to obtain foams with specific properties, incorporating different types of additives, fillers, blowing agents, and catalytic systems. She has worked intensively on the formulation of foams containing biobased components, such as biopolyols and natural fillers. She is also an expert in the structural and physical characterization of polymer foams, with proficiency in techniques such as optical and electron microscopy, gas pycnometry, universal testing machines, transient and steady-state thermal conductivity measurements, and impedance tube analysis.
Sayam Vela Bolado
Researcher
Industrial Design and Product Development Engineer (University of Valladolid, 2024). Sayam has experience in the field of R&D and has worked with different materials (metals, paper, board and polymers). In addition, she has extensive knowledge about 2D and 3D design programs. Since 2025, she has been an integral part of CellMat Technologies as a Researcher.
Miriam Barazon Pena
Researcher
Chemical Engineer (University of Valladolid, 2024). Miriam has experience in applied research and sustainable industrial processes. She is currently working at CellMat Technologies as a research engineer in physical foaming, participating in extrusion lines for the development of foamed materials
Fernando Garzon Martin
Researcher
Chemist (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 2022), Master in Sustainable Chemistry (2023). He have two years of experience as a research chemist in European projects related to sustainability, working on the revalorization process of polymers and biomass waste. Currently working on the development and improvement of rubber materials, bioplymers and foams.
David Perez de Saja
Researcher
Electronic and Automation Engineer (University of Valladolid, 2025). David has been part of CellMat Technologies since 2025, working in the field of polymeric foams. He is currently involved in the Extrusion Foaming team and collaborates on projects related to industrial automation and sensor integration. His work includes the generation of innovative knowledge, process optimization, and technology transfer to industrial applications.
Miguel de la Calle Rivero
Researcher
Physicist (University of Valladolid, 2024), Master’s in Physics with a specialization in Materials Physics (University of Valladolid, 2025). Miguel specializes in advanced polymeric and cellular materials, with particular expertise in aerogel systems. His research focuses on developing functional materials with improved structural properties, thermal insulation, and flame retardancy. He has investigated the mechanical performance of these materials through impact testing, with particular attention to the underlying mechanisms of the energy absorption. He combines strong experimental skills in materials physics principles. His academic work bridges fundamental research with potential industrial applications in advanced materials development.
Francisco Javier Garcia Gonzalez
Senior Laboratory Technician
Senior laboratory technician in quality control and analysis (2014). Francisco Javier has been working in the field of polymer foams since 2014. He is the coinventor of 3 patents and has collaborated in more than 30 research projects.
Sergio Barrado Arranz
Senior Laboratory Technician
Senior laboratory technician in quality control and analysis (2018) and in Enviromental Health (2015). Sergio has been working in the field of polymer foams since 2020. He is an expert worker in the fields of extrusion foaming, compound extrusion, material’s characterization, optical microscopy, and analysis of the cellular structure. He has participated in several research projects.
Alba Isern Muñoz
Senior Laboratory Technician
Laboratory technician in processes and quality in the food industry (2019). Alba has been working in the field of polymeric foams since 2020. She is an expert in the fabrication and characterization of PU foams (rigid PU, flexible PU and PIR). She has participated in more than 30 research projects.
Francisco Paramo Aguado
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory technician in quality control and analysis (2025). Francisco has been working in the field of polymer foams since 2025. He is working in the production and characterization of PU foams (rigid PU, flexible PU and PIR).
Estela de la Gala Martinez
Laboratory Technician
Laboratory technician in quality control and analysis (still studying) and radiotherapy and dosimetry technician (2024). Estela has been working in the field of polymer foams since 2025.