Meet Enrique Javier Carrasco Correa

Enrique develops next-generation sample preparation systems combining 3D printing, functional materials, direct detection, and chemometrics. His work addresses extraction challenges in environmental, clinical, and food matrices, while using biomimetic platforms to predict biological processes and reduce reliance on animal testing.

Sample preparation, Enrique argues, should no longer be treated as “an isolated, offline precursor to detection, but an active, intelligent interface.” By combining it with accessible technologies such as 3D printing, sensors, biomimetic materials, and data science, his group creates sustainable analytical architectures tailored to specific problems. “We can now design bespoke analytical architectures in real time,” he says.

However, Enrique cautions that technological progress must not come at the expense of scientific fundamentals. “We risk letting technology dictate our methodologies rather than us mastering the tools,” he says. “While AI is an extraordinary catalyst, analytical science must not become a purely AI-driven field. The critical thinking, fundamental understanding of chemical interactions, and creative vision required to chart the future of our discipline must remain fundamentally human.”

Enrique also wants scientific publishing to present a more honest picture of discovery. “We need to move away from the dogma of the ‘perfect narrative,’” he says. “Showing what didn’t work is invaluable for the scientific community because we learn through failure.” He argues that dedicated peer-reviewed forums for negative results and unviable approaches could prevent duplicated effort and help researchers reach genuine solutions more efficiently.