Dr Cara-Lena Nies is a postdoctoral researcher in Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork, Ireland. She is an expert in atomistic simulations of complex materials using Density Functional Theory, with a focus on developing advanced materials for sustainable development.  Her research interest is in application-targeted design of materials, currently she is developing catalyst materials for the oxidation of methane produced from dairy farming. She has previously studied the effect of boron doping on the optical and electronic properties of III-nitride alloys and modelled the growth of copper on modified tantalum nitride (TaN) surfaces for advanced interconnects, contributing to the advancement of materials science for a range of applications.