Prof. Dr. Mluisa Mtz Muneta | Graphic | Best Research Article Award

Professor at Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain

María Luisa Martínez Muneta is a Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM) since 2016. She also served as Deputy Vice-Rector (2020–January 2025), responsible for educational innovation, faculty evaluation, and sustainability. her academic career combines institutional leadership, teaching excellence, and research impact. She has led pioneering projects in circular economy, sustainability, and intelligent technologies, establishing herself as a leading figure in engineering, design, and education. Her multidisciplinary focus, organizational capacity, and future-oriented vision place her as a key figure in Spanish academic innovation. 👩‍🏫🎓

professional profile

ORCID

Google Scholar

Education

María Luisa earned her degree in Mechanical Engineering at UPM (2009–2013), graduating with honors and recognition for her final project. She then completed a Master’s degree in the Department of Education at Beijing Normal University (2014–2016), receiving a first-class scholarship. She concluded her academic training with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at UPM (2019–2023), where her doctoral thesis was awarded for excellence at both university and regional levels. Her education bridges engineering, education, and sustainability, grounded in knowledge transfer between technology and advanced mechanical pedagogy. 🎓🇪🇸

Work Experience

After beginning as a teaching-researcher at ETSII-UPM (2013–2016), she became Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 2016, leading courses in engineering, design, and circular economy. From 2020 to January 2025, she served as Deputy Vice-Rector, coordinating educational innovation, faculty evaluation, and institutional sustainability. She has participated in numerous projects (Fundraisine, OPREVU, Hypernex, Academics4Rail, CIEC, EELISA, VULNEUREA, OPTIMATE, SYMBIOSIS) in roles ranging from principal investigator to coordinator, at both national and European levels. Her path reflects strong leadership in STEM and sustainability projects, as well as involvement in public policy and international networks. 🌍🔧

Research Focus

Her research focuses on mechanical engineering applied to the circular economy, sustainable design, and additive manufacturing (recycled PLA), integrating numerical modeling techniques and visual thinking. She also explores Virtual Reality applications in road safety and railway maintenance through accessible and inclusive tools. She leads initiatives in distributed mechanical plastic recycling, development of optimized laminated structures (OPTIMATE), and simulation of vulnerable user behavior (VULNEUREA). Combining CAD, digital twins, and collaborative design theories, she aims to enhance manufacturing processes, STEM education, and sustainability in industrial and urban environments. 🌱🔄🚇

🛠️ Skills

She is proficient in computer-aided mechanical design, numerical simulation (homogenization, laminated structure analysis), digital prototyping, recycled PLA prototyping, and circularity analysis. She is an expert in applying Virtual Reality to assess vulnerable users and maintain railway infrastructure. Skilled in Design Thinking and Visual Thinking methodologies to enhance educational and production innovation. She excels in managing European and national R&D&I projects, as well as in faculty assessment and university sustainability policy. Her strengths include leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and participation in international networks (EELISA, Horizon Europe). 🤝🎯

Conclusion

Prof. María Luisa Martínez Muneta is an outstanding candidate for the Best Research Article Award. Her scientific rigor, interdisciplinary innovations, and demonstrated impact on sustainable development and engineering education exemplify the qualities recognized by this award. Given the breadth and depth of her research, especially in circular economy and recycled materials, her candidacy is not only valid but compelling.

Publications to Noted

✅ 1. Evaluation of the Technical Viability of Distributed Mechanical Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Wastes

Authors: FR Beltrán, MP Arrieta, E Moreno, G Gaspar, LM Muneta, …
Citations: 100
Year: 2021
Journal: Polymers, 13(8), 1247

✅ 2. Evaluation of the Circularity of Recycled PLA Filaments for 3D Printers

Authors: V Gil Muñoz, LM Muneta, R Carrasco-Gallego, J de Juanes Marquez, …
Citations: 63
Year: 2020
Journal: Applied Sciences, 10(24), 8967

✅ 3. Dibujo industrial

Authors: J Félez Mindán, ML Martínez Muneta
Citations: 57
Year: 1995
Publisher: Síntesis (Book)

✅ 4. Application of Homogenization Approaches to the Numerical Analysis of Seating Made of Multi-Wall Corrugated Cardboard

Authors: B Suarez, MLM Muneta, JD Sanz-Bobi, G Romero
Citations: 51
Year: 2021
Journal: Composite Structures, 262, 113642

✅ 5. Assessment of the Influence of the Elastic Properties of Rail Vehicle Suspensions on Safety, Ride Quality and Track Fatigue

Authors: B Suarez, JM Mera, ML Martinez, JA Chover
Citations: 47
Year: 2012
Publisher: Taylor & Francis

✅ 6. Ingeniería gráfica y diseño

Authors: J Felez, ML Martinez
Citations: 44
Year: 2008
Publisher: Editorial Síntesis (Book)

✅ 7. Virtual Reality Applied to a Full Simulator of Electrical Sub-Stations

Authors: G Romero, J Maroto, J Félez, JM Cabanellas, ML Martínez, A Carretero
Citations: 39
Year: 2008
Journal: Electric Power Systems Research, 78(3), 409–417

✅ 8. Technical Evaluation of Mechanical Recycling of PLA 3D Printing Wastes

Authors: E Moreno, FR Beltrán, MP Arrieta, G Gaspar, LM Muneta, …
Citations: 35
Year: 2020
Journal: Proceedings, 69(1), 19

✅ 9. A Constraint Solver to Define Correctly Dimensioned and Overdimensioned Parts

Authors: ML Martínez, J Félez
Citations: 33
Year: 2005
Journal: Computer-Aided Design, 37(13), 1353–1369

✅ 10. Integrating Teams in Multidisciplinary Project-Based Learning in Mechanical Engineering

Authors: ML Martinez, G Romero, JJ Marquez, JM Perez
Citations: 29
Year: 2010
Conference: IEEE EDUCON Conference

Mluisa Mtz Muneta | Graphic | Best Research Article Award