Prof. Tomas Torres
Full Professor of Organic Chemistry

Departamento de Química Orgánica - Facultad de Ciencias
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
28049 - Cantoblanco
España
Tel.: 34-91-4974151 (office)
Tel.: 34-91-4975097 (lab)
Fax : 34-91-4973966
e-mail: tomas.torres@uam.es

Born in 1951 in Madrid, Tomás Torres is currently Full Professor (2000) and Head of the Department of Organic Chemistry (2000- ) at the Autonoma University of Madrid (UAM). He received his Ph.D. (1978) at the same University, working at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid (Prof. Fariña). After two years (1978-80) at the Department of Organic Chemistry and Spectroscopy of the Max-Planck-Institute for Biochemistry, in Martinsried near Munich (Germany, Prof. Dr. W. Schaefer) as a Max-Planck Society postdoctoral fellow, he joined (1981-85) a private company, Abello, S.A., as Senior Researcher, in Madrid. In 1985 he was appointed to the staff of the Autónoma University of Madrid as an Associated Professor. In addition to various aspects of synthetic, heterocyclic and supramolecular chemistry, his current research interests include the synthesis of low-symmetry phthalocyanines and the preparation and study of the photophysical and nonlinear optical properties of molecular materials based on phthalocyanines and related compounds.

The Torres´ Group at Madrid is concerned with developing simple ideas and concepts across the traditional branches of the molecular and materials science by the design and synthesis of new types of molecular level architectures based in phthalocyanines to control and influence function and properties. Following the discovery of particular nonlinear optical properties of subphthalocyanines and some phthalocyanines in his laboratory a few years ago, he is currently exploring several areas of possible application including photovoltaics, supramolecular chemistry, organic synthesis, catalysis, biological chemistry (photodynamic theraphy) and smart materials and “molecular machinery” (phthalocyanine-based molecular devices).

The group has a multidisciplinary character at the interface of chemistry, physics and materials science. It presently consists of twenty researchers, among them staff and contracted researchers (8), Post-Docs (5) and PhD students (7). The group has an experience of 25 years in the field of Organic Chemistry and more than 15 years in the areas of Supramolecular Chemistry and Molecular Organic Materials.

Having published 200 papers and 34 patents, the group has attained a solid reputation in its field. During the last five years, more than 20 PhD students and Post-Docs have received training in the group. The group has maintained effective collaboration with several European and North American groups of excellence. T.Torres has recently coordinated a European Network (PHTHALOCYANINES) comprising groups of UK, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands, aimed at the developing of the optical properties of phthalocyanines .

Prof. Torres has participated as chief researcher in twenty projects financed by public bodies (CICYT, Community of Madrid and The European Union). In addition the applied nature of his research has enabled him to establish links with the regional, national and international industrials circles through R+D projects with various companies. He has had research contracts with several national and multinational companies, like Kimberly Clark, Glaxo-Wellcome plc, Vivastar, A.G., Antibioticos, S.A., among others.

During the last 15 years, he has acted as technical advisor and expert in patents matters on behalf of diverse pharmaceutical companies: Beecham plc, Glaxo-Wellcome plc, American Home Corporation, Merck Sharp and Dohme, Bayer AG, Pfizer, among others.

Prof. Torres has held various positions of responsibility within the teaching and research world. He has coordinated various European projects and has represented Spain on the Management Committee of the EU cost 518 action. In 2001 he was distinguished as a Fellow of the Japan Society for the promotion of Science (JSPS). He has recently been awarded the JANSSEN CILAG prize for Organic Chemistry 2005 by the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry.