PLASTIMPACT: Radmila Tomovska (University of the Basque Country)

Radmila Tomovska

Researcher: Radmila Tomovska (University of the Basque Country)

CURRICULUM VITAE

NAME SURNAME: Radmila Tomovska
Ikerbasque Research Professor
University of the Basque Country (EHU) – POLYMAT
Donostia - San Sebastian, Spain
Email: radmila.tomovska@ehu.eus | ORCID: 0000-0003-1076-7988 | Google Scholar | Web page

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Radmila Tomovska is an Ikerbasque Research Professor at the University of the Basque Country (EHU) with more than 25 years of experience in polymer chemistry and polymer reaction engineering. Her research focuses on polymerization processes in dispersed media—particularly emulsion and miniemulsion polymerization—and on the design of advanced waterborne polymer systems with controlled structure–property relationships. Her expertise covers polymer nanogels, bio-based and ionic polymers (ionomers), and polymer–graphene composite materials, with applications in waterborne coatings and adhesives, proton-exchange membranes for fuel cells and desalination, CO₂ capture, sensors, and photocatalysis. Her work combines fundamental understanding of polymerization mechanisms with application-oriented materials development and scalability considerations. She has authored more than 110 peer-reviewed publications, coordinated and led numerous national and European research projects (including EU collaborative programs), and is inventor on granted and filed patents related to functional polymer materials. She has supervised approximately 16 PhD theses and multiple postdoctoral researchers. Her research activities are supported by close collaborations with European industrial partners and research institutes, positioning her work at the interface of fundamental polymer science, sustainability, and industrial relevance. Moreover, since 2009 she is a member of Scientific Committee of Industrial Liaison Project on Polymerization in Dispersed media, financed by 13 world largest chemical companies (BASF, Arkema, Synthomer, Akzo Nobel, Allnex, Wacker, Vinavil, Ellix Polymers, Asian Paints, Convestro, Inovin, Stahl and Tesa), in the frame of which she has leaded 6 projects funded by this consortium.

KEY METRICS & LEADERSHIP AT A GLANCE

  • Ikerbasque Research Professor since 2009
  • More than 110 peer-reviewed publications
  • 7 Book Chapters
  • h-index: Scopus - 25; Google scholar - 29
  • Coordinator / PI of  > 15 national & European projects
  • 4 international projects coordinated
  • ~16 PhD theses supervised; multiple postdoctoral researchers
  • Patents: 1 granted, 1 filed (EPO)
  • Strong industry collaboration at European level

RESEARCH EXPERTISE (KEYWORDS)

  • Emulsion & miniemulsion polymerization
  • Waterborne polymer dispersions & nanogels
  • Bio-based polymers and ionic polymers (ionomers)
  • Polymer–graphene composites & aerogels
  • Functional coatings, membranes, sensors, CO₂ capture

ACADEMIC POSITIONS & APPOINTMENTS

  • Ikerbasque Research Professor, EHU (2009–present)
  • Visiting Professor, KTH (June - September 2023)
  • Previous academic appointments
    • Assistant Professor: Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, North Macedonia (January, 2005 – January, 2009)
    • Postdoctoral Researcher: Institute of Chemical Processes Fundamentals - ICPF, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic (June, 2001 – December, 2004)
    • PhD Fellow: Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy, University of Sts. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, North Macedonia and Institute of Chemical Processes Fundamentals - ICPF, Academy of Sciences of Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic (January 1995 – December, 2000)

COMPETITIVE FUNDING & PROJECT LEADERSHIP (SELECTED)

  • European Collaborative Project (M-ERA.NET) – Coordinator
    Bio-based ionic polymers for forward osmosis draw solutions
    Development of novel ionomers from renewable monomers for membrane-based separation technologies, combining sustainable chemistry with controlled polymer architecture (July, 2025 – July, 2028)
  • Regional Reaserach Project (PIBA – Basque Government) – Principal Investigator
    On-Site Sensing of Dissolved CO2: Process Intensification Using Graphene Hydrogels and CO2 - Responsive Conjugated Polymers in Structured Reactors (DISSCO2)
    Development of hybrid materials of graphene hydrogel and conjugated polymers for dissolved CO2 detection (January 2026 - January, 2028)
  • Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship candidate Dr. Yusef Tamsilian, Principal Investigator
    Graphene Nanogyroids, a new technological platform for CO2 capture and sequestration
    Hybrid nanogyroids will be manufactured using self-assembly templates of thiolene block-like co-polymers, (November, 2025 – November, 2027)
  • Spanish National Project (Knowledge Generation Projects Programme – MCIU)  - Principal Investigator
    Process Intensification Through Implementation of Gyroid-type Graphene in Structured Reactors (ccc-GYRO)
    Architectural graphene in gyroid morphology implemented on macroscopic monoliths for design of structural reactors for capture and conversion of CO2 (September 2024 – September, 2028)
  • European Collaborative Project (M-ERA.NET) – Principal Investigator
    Development of novel bio-based ionomers for proton-exchange membranes
    Focused on structure–property relationships, water management, and scalable waterborne processing; resulted in patent filing and multiple publications (July, 2022 - July, 2025)
  • European Collaborative Project (NATO Sciense for Pease) – Coordinator
    Conductive Composite Based Flexible and Wearable Chemical Sensors  (CONSENS)
    Design of molecularly imprinted polymers for selective pesticide detection in aqueous environments (May, 2023 – May, 2026)
  • Regional Flagship Project (ELKARTEK – Basque Government) – Principal Investigator
    Superficies multifuncionales en la frontera del conocimiento (FRONTIERS 2024)
    Development of optical coatings con abilities of self-detection of mechanical damage and spontaneous initiation of self-healing reactions (January, 2024 – April, 2026)

 

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Thiols as depletion agents for elimination of residual monomers from waterborne polymer latex,
    A. Trajcheva, J. Elgoyhen, A. Agirre, R. Tomovska
    Polymer, 2026, 344, 23, 129515, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.129515
  2. Enzyme biocatalyst for removal of residual monomer fractions in waterborne polymers,
    A. Trajcheva, C. Gkountela, J. Elgoyhen, O. Sanz, S. Vouyiouka, R. Tomovska
    Eur. Polym. J., 2026, 244, 114507, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2026.114507
  3. UVC-Driven Postphotopolymerization: An Advanced Strategy for Reducing Residual Monomers in Waterborne Polymer Dispersions, 
    A. Trajcheva, J. Elgoyhen, L. Lezama, R. Tomovska
    ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng. 2025, 13, 25, 9891, https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5c04987
  4. Optimizing Emulsifier-Free Emulsion Polymerization of (Meth)acrylates with Zwitterionic Monomers: Impact of Radical Initiator Types,
    S. Murali, A. Agirre, R. Tomovska
    ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. (2025) 7, 3, 2112 – 2122, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.4c03998
  5. Overcoming Challenges of Incorporation of Biobased Dibutyl Itaconate in (Meth)acrylic Waterborne Polymers,
    J. Gupta, R. Tomovska, M. Aguirre
    Biomacromolecules 2024, 25, 8, 5310–5320, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.4c00739
  6. Advanced Nanostructured All-Waterborne Thiol-Ene/Reduced Graphene Oxide Humidity Sensors with Outstanding Selectivity,
    A. Trajcheva, J. Elgoyhen, M. Ehsani, Y. Joseph, J. B. Gilev, R. Tomovska
    Adv. Mater. Technol. (2024) 2400114, https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202400114
  7. Synthesis and Crystallization of Waterborne Thiol−ene Polymers: Toward Innovative Oxygen Barrier Coatings,
    J. Elgoyhen, V. Pirela, A.J. Müller, R. Tomovska
    ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2023, 5,11,8845–8858, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsapm.3c01128
  8. Emulsifier-free (meth)acrylic colloids stabilized by cationic monomer containing two charged moieties,
    M. Argaiz, M. Aguirre, R. Tomovska
    Colloid and Interface Science Communications 50 (2022) 100659; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colcom.2022.100659
  9. Microwave irradiation versus conventional heating assisted free-radical copolymerization in solution,
    B.T. Pérez-Martínez, M.A. Aboudzadeh, U.S. Schubert, J.R. Leiza, R. Tomovska
    Chem. Eng. J. 399 (2020) 125761; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.125761
  10. Design of Stable and Powerful Nanobiocatalysts, Based on Enzyme Laccase Immobilized on Self- Assembled 3D Graphene/Polymer Composite Hydrogels,
    N. Ormategui, A. Veloso, G.P. Leal, S. Rodriguez-Couto, R. Tomovska
    ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces 7 (2015) 14104−14112

SUPERVISION & MENTORSHIP

Has supervised 16 PhD students, more than 10 Postdoctoral projects and about 10 Master theses.

Recent supervised PhD theses:

  1. Thiolene photopolymerization in Miniemulsion, (2018-2023)
    University: EHU
    Candidate: Justine Elgoyhen
    Defended March, 2023, Cum Laude
  2. Incorporation of zwitterionic monomers in to waterborne polymer dispersions, (2019-2023)
    University: EHU
    Candidate: Sumi Murali Nair
    Defended December, 2023, Cum Laude
  3. Novel strategies to Reduce End of Reaction VOC in Acrylic Systems, (2020-2025)
    University: EHU
    Candidate: Ana Trajcheva
    Defended September 2025, Cum Laude

In due course:

  1. Biomimetic Polymer Coatings, Candidate: Hansel Currier, Co-supervision between University of Mulhouse (Dr. Abraham Chemtob) and EHU, France, (Since January 2021).
  2. Synthesis of bio-based water-borne polymers, Candidate Gyoti Gupta, (Since June, 2022). (supported by Industrial Liaison Project on Polymerization in Dispersed Media)
  3. Synthesis of polyMOF – graphene 3D composites for CO2 capture and sequestration, Candidate Monika Findanchevska, (Since July 2022, INVESTIGO Program launched by Basque Government).
  4. Synthesis of bio-based and bio-degradable ionomers for proton conductive membrane for fuel cell application, Candidate: Alba Gonda (Since October 2022) in the frame of IMMENSE, M- ERA.NET project
  5. CO2 Capture process intensification through implementation of gyroid-type graphene in structured reactors, Candidate Diego Zabala, (Since January 2025), in the frame of ccc-GYRO, MCIU Project
  6. Waterborne polymer dispersion crosslinked by the thiol-ene reaction, Candidate: Iker Rodriguez (Since January 2025), supported by Industrial Liaison Project on Polymerization in Dispersed Media

PATENTS & TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

  1. Authors: R. Tomovska, N. Politakos, I. Barbarin
    Title: Photocatalysts based on reduced graphene oxide and semiconductors
    ES2937334; 20/10/2023
  2. Authors: A. Gonda, A. Agirre, J. Elgoyhen, R. Tomovska
    Title: Synthesis of bio-based waterborne ionomers, preparation of proton conductive membranes and uses thereof
    Filled in December 2025 to European Patent Office.         

INDUSTRY COLLABORATION

Bilateral Industrial projects:

  • Industrias Kolmer S.A. 2015-2018,
  • Oribay Group Automotive - Headquarters & Warehouse 2019/2020,
  • International Fragrances and Flavors, IFF S.L in 2018/2019
  • International Fragrances and Flavors, IFF S.L in 2022/2023
  • Graphenea 2023

Industrial Liaison Project on Polymerization in Dispersed Media (2009 – 2029)

  • Consortium of companies: BASF, Arkema, Synthomer, Akzo Nobel, Allnex, Wacker, Vinavil, Ellix Polymers, Asian Paints, Convestro, Inovin, Stahl and Tesa

TEACHING & ADVANCED COURSES

Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy in Skopje, Macedonia, 2003 - 2009

  • Undergraduate studies:
    • Chemical Reactors Design
    • Analysis, Synthesis and Design of Chemical Processes
    • Design of Process Equipment

University of Basque Country, 2009-to now

  • Course of Master  and Doctoral studies (Applied Chemistry and Polymers)
    • Synthesis of Polymer Nanoparticles
  • Course on Emulsion Polymerization Processes (for scientists and engineers from industry and academia)
    • Particle Nucleation
    • Particle Morphology

KTH – Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden (2023)

  • Emulsion Polymerization Short Course

COST Action HISTRATE CA21155 (2023)

  • Participation in 1st HISTRATE Training Course

COST ACTIONS

  1. Action CA15107 - MultiComp, Start date - 07/04/2016 End date - 30/09/2020
    Participant
  2. Action CA 21155 – HISTRATE, Start date - 07/04/2022 End date - 30/09/2025
    Member of HISTRATE CORE group, co-leader of a work package

EVALUATION OF RESEARCH PROJECTS

  1. Technical Committee of Strategic Line of Sustainability of plastics and bio-based plastics (26.07. 2021) of the Spanish State Investigation Agency (AEI).
  2. Project evaluation for:
    • Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (FONCYT), Argentina
    • Emmy Noether Programme - Independent Junior Research Group – Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Germany
    • Applied and Engineering Sciences (AES) Dutch Research Council (NWO), Netherlands
    • AEI, Spain

CONFERENCES

  1. Invited lecture: Electrostatic Complexation of Polymer Colloids Towards High Performance Waterborne Coatings,
    R. Tomovska
    The 11th International Symposium on Engineering Plastics EP2025, August 3 - 6, 2025,Harbin, China
  2. Invited lecture: Interparticle Ionic Bonds for High Performance Waterborne Coatings
    R. Tomovska
    Coatings Science International Conference, COSI 2025, June 30 – July 3, 2025, Noordwijk, Netherland
  3. Plenary Lecture: Emulsifier-Free Waterborne (Meth)acrylic Formulations Enhanced with Zwitterionic Monomers,
    R. Tomovska
    27. Congress of the Society of Chemists and Technologists of Macedonia (SCTM), September 25–28, 2024, Ohrid, N. Macedonia
  4. Invited lecture: Graphene-polymer porous composites for CO2 capture
    R. Tomovska, I. Barbarin, N. Politakos
    GEP SLAP 2022, May 8 – 12, 2022, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
  5. Key-note lecture: Graphene monoliths decorated with functionalized polymer particles for selective CO2 capture,
    R. Tomovska
    X Symposium of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, 21-23 September, 2022, on-line (in organization of Society of Chemical and Biochemical Engineers of Mexico)
  6. Invited talk:  UV Shielding Coatings Based on Graphene/CNT Radical Scavenger Filler
    R. Tomovska, M. Prosheva, J. Blazevska-Gilev
    14th International Conference on Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Physical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry 2018, 24–28 September 2018, Belgrade
  7. Invited lecture: Waterborne Polymer and Composite Nanostructured Particles
    R. Tomovska
    East-West Chemistry Conference, 12-14 October, 2017, Skopje, N. Macedonia

ORGANIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC EVENTS

  1. International Conference Organization (Chair and member fo Scientific and Organizung Committeee)
    2nd International Conference on Aerogel Inspired Materials,
    San Sebastian, Spain
    27/09/2023 - 29/09/2023
  2. International Conference chair and host,
    2nd Conference on Advanced Composites under HIgh STRAin raTEs Loading: A Route to Certification-by-Analysis
    In frame of HISTRATE COST action, 4th and 5th June 2025 in San Sebastian, Spain.