Innovative Research Award
Marina Martínez-Carmona
University of Murcia, Spain
Marina Martínez-Carmona is an Faculty Secretary, Faculty of Education; Associate Professor in the Department of Experimental Science Education, Faculty of Education, University of Murcia, Spain. Marina Martínez-Carmona maintains an interdisciplinary academic trajectory spanning chemistry, biochemistry, nanomedicine, experimental ophthalmology, science education, sustainability education, and early childhood learning research.[1]
This academic recognition article evaluates the scholarly profile, educational research contributions, publication record, collaborative activities, and innovation outcomes associated with Marina Martínez-Carmona. Particular attention is given to her work in science education and the development of innovative teaching methodologies that integrate sustainability, responsible consumption, inquiry-based learning, and game-based educational approaches for young learners.[3]
Abstract
Marina Martínez-Carmona is an academic researcher whose work integrates science education, sustainability education, teacher preparation, and early childhood learning. Her scholarly record includes interdisciplinary contributions in chemistry, nanomedicine, ophthalmology, and educational research. With documented participation in funded research projects and a substantial publication portfolio, her recent work emphasizes innovative pedagogical practices that promote responsible consumption, scientific competence, and inquiry-based learning among young learners.[1][3]
Keywords
Science Education; Early Childhood Education; Teacher Education; Sustainability Education; Responsible Consumption; Scientific Competence; Inquiry-Based Learning; Game-Based Learning; Environmental Education; Educational Innovation.
Introduction
Marina Martínez-Carmona serves within the Faculty of Education at the University of Murcia and combines scientific and educational expertise developed through training in chemistry, biochemistry, nanomedicine, ophthalmology, and educational sciences. Her academic development includes postdoctoral research at Trinity College Dublin and subsequent research activities in Spain. This interdisciplinary foundation has informed her educational research agenda focused on improving science teaching and learning across diverse educational contexts.[1][2]
Research Profile
The researcher has participated in nine funded research projects, including seven completed projects and two ongoing initiatives. Current participation includes PROCUSTO (2024–2028), focused on core teaching practices in initial science teacher education, and PID2024-160066NB-C21 (2025–2029), addressing inquiry and modelling in teacher education. Earlier projects covered bioceramics, nanomedicine, ophthalmology, and science teacher education, including participation in the ERC-funded VERDI project.[1]
Research interests encompass science education, teacher preparation, scientific competence development, sustainability, responsible consumption, game-based learning, and environmental literacy in early childhood. Previous research activities also contributed to inorganic chemistry, responsive nanomaterials, drug delivery systems, nanomedicine, and experimental ophthalmology.[1]
Research Contributions
A notable contribution is the development of the “Buy Smart” didactic sequence, designed to introduce responsible food consumption concepts within early childhood education through cooperative gameplay, movement-based activities, and guided classroom dialogue. Implemented with twenty-five five-year-old learners, the educational intervention generated exploratory evidence suggesting increased consideration of environmental factors such as transport distance, pollution, and food waste during decision-making processes.[3]
The study further demonstrates the value of observation-based assessment and oral explanation methods when evaluating conceptual understanding among young children. The resulting framework provides educators with a practical and developmentally appropriate approach for introducing sustainability concepts at an early educational stage.[3]
Publications
The publication record includes 34 articles, 7 book chapters, and 7 conference papers across chemistry, nanomedicine, biomaterials, ophthalmology, and science education. Journals include ACS Nano, Acta Biomaterialia, Nanoscale, Inorganic Chemistry, Journal of Materials Chemistry B, International Journal of Early Childhood, Education Sciences, Frontiers in Education, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. The nominated article, published in 2026, exemplifies the integration of sustainability education and innovative pedagogical design.[2][3]
Research Impact
According to the documented scholarly profile, Marina Martínez-Carmona has accumulated 1,333 citations across 27 indexed documents with an h-index of 15. These indicators reflect measurable influence across multiple disciplines, including materials science, biomedical research, and educational studies. Her collaborations with institutions such as Trinity College Dublin, Complutense University of Madrid, IMIB-Arrixaca, and the University of Murcia further demonstrate international and interdisciplinary engagement.[1][2]
Award Suitability
The candidate’s profile demonstrates characteristics associated with innovative educational research, including interdisciplinary scholarship, evidence-informed instructional design, active participation in funded projects, sustained publication activity, and the development of practical classroom interventions. The Buy Smart initiative illustrates the application of research-based educational innovation to promote sustainability awareness among young learners while contributing to contemporary discussions on responsible consumption and environmental education.[3]
Conclusion
Marina Martínez-Carmona has developed an interdisciplinary academic career that bridges scientific research and educational innovation. Her contributions to science education, teacher preparation, sustainability learning, and early childhood pedagogy are supported by a documented research record, international collaborations, and measurable scholarly impact. The nominated work represents a continuation of her commitment to evidence-based educational innovation and socially relevant learning experiences.[1][3]
External Links
References
- Elsevier. (n.d.). Scopus author details: Marina Martínez-Carmona, Author ID 56316479700. Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56316479700
- ORCID. (n.d.). ORCID profile of Marina Martínez-Carmona. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2026-6266
- Romero Gutiérrez, M., Serrano-García, F., de Pro Chereguini, C., & Martínez-Carmona, M. (2026). Buy Smart: Introducing Responsible Consumption in Early Childhood Education: A Play-Based Didactic Sequence on Food, Waste, and Environmental Impact. International Journal of Early Childhood. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-026-00549-2
- Martínez-Carmona, M. et al. (2025). A BreakoutEDU for Understanding Gene Expression in High School: A Case Study. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 53(1), 46–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21863
- Martínez-Carmona, M. et al. (2025). Climate Change and Its Causes: Promoting Argumentation in Secondary School in the Context of a Socio-Scientific Problem. Alambique: Didactics of Experimental Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21863