Leonardo is an inorganic chemist and materials scientist that began his scientific journey at the University of Pavia (Italy). After completing his master’s degree, Leonardo followed his curiosity for nanosynthesis to San Sebastian (Spain), where he joined the group of Prof. Liz-Marzán and completed his PhD in July 2016. As a PhD and postdoctoral trainee, Leonardo was able to visit various countries and experience different cultures, traveling across Europe and the US. In 2024, after 3 years of postdoc at UCLA and an additional 3 years as a Junior Leader at the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona, the project ERC StG NANOGROWDIRECT was funded, leading to the creation of the NanoOddLAB as part of the Department of Chemistry and Engineering of Processes and Resources at the University of Cantabria. The group focuses on the development of new synthetic avenues for the patterned in situ growth of plasmonic materials and metasurfaces.