Sarah Sibug-Torres

College positions: Junior Research Fellow

Subject: Physics

Ms Sarah Sibug-Torres is a Junior Research Fellow in Physics at Magdalene College.

Her PhD in Physics at Cambridge combined electrochemistry, plasmonics, surface science, and nanomaterials engineering to advance surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for biomedical applications. She also holds a BSc in Biochemistry from the University of the Philippines, a MSc in Chemistry from Ateneo de Manila University, and a MRes in Sensor Technologies from the University of Cambridge.

Sarah's research career has consistently focused on the development of translational sensing technologies for real-world impact, having filed multiple patents related to sensor platforms and nanomaterial-based detection technologies. Before beginning her doctoral studies, she worked as a researcher on projects involving the development of low-cost sensors and functional nanomaterials for applications in agri-pharmaceutical quality control, environmental monitoring, and aquaculture water sensing. These projects were conducted in close collaboration with industry partners, with an emphasis on creating scalable and field-deployable solutions for commercial use. She also co-founded a science education and training company serving professionals in the pharmaceutical, mining, and manufacturing sectors, which scaled rapidly and was eventually acquired by strategic investors.

As a Junior Research Fellow, Sarah aims to build on her interdisciplinary background to explore both fundamental and applied aspects of SERS. Her work seeks to improve the reliability and sensitivity of SERS-based sensors by probing and tuning molecule–surface interactions at the nanoscale, with the goal of enabling accessible, real-time metabolite monitoring for early diagnostics. In parallel, she is interested in exploring commercialisation pathways for SERS technologies and translating her research into practical diagnostic tools with broad societal impact.

Research Interests

  • Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS)
  • Electrochemistry and plasmonics
  • Nanoscale materials and interfaces
  • Bioanalytical chemistry and diagnostics
  • Translational sensing technologies
  • Industry-collaborative and field-deployable sensor platforms

Qualifications

  • PhD Physics (submitted), University of Cambridge
  • MRes Sensor Technologies and Applications, University of Cambridge (with distinction)
  • MSc Chemistry, Ateneo de Manila University
  • BSc Biochemistry, University of the Philippines (magna cum laude)

KEY PUBLICATIONS

Transient Au-Cl adlayers modulate surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles during redox reactions, Sibug-Torres, S.M., Niihori, M., Wyatt, E., Arul, R., Spiesshofer, N., Jones, T., Graham, D., de Nijs, B., Scherman, O.A., Rao, R.R., Ryan, M.P., Squires, A., Savory, C., Scanlon, D.O., Daaoub, A., Sangtarash, S., Sadeghi, H., Baumberg, J.J. Nature Chemistry, 2025. DOI: 10.1038/s41557-025-01989-4.

In Situ Electrochemical Regeneration of Nanogap Hotspots for Continuously Reusable Ultrathin SERS Sensors, Sibug-Torres, S.M., Grys, D.-B., Kang, G., Niihori, M., Wyatt, E., Spiesshofer, N., Ruane, A., de Nijs, B., Baumberg, J.J. Nature Communications, 2024, 15 (1), 2022. [Editor’s Featured Article]

Detection method and in-flow detection method, Baumberg, J.J., Jones, T., Sibug-Torres, S.M. UK 2418909.4, Patent Filed 20/12/2024.

Surface-enhanced spectroscopy substrates, Baumberg, J.J., Grys, D.-B., Arul, R., Niihori, M., Sibug-Torres, S.M., Wyatt, E.W. UK 2304765.7/WO2024199899A1, Patent Filed 30/3/2023.

Fully integrated 3D-printed electrochemical cell with a modified inkjet-printed Ag electrode for voltammetric nitrate analysis, Sibug-Torres, S.M., Go, L.P., Castillo, V.C., Pauco, J.L., Enriquez, E.P. Analytica Chimica Acta, 2021, 338430.

System for rapid mixture profiling utilizing multiple-stationary phase thin layer chromatography, Enriquez, E.P., Sibug-Torres, S.M., Padolina, I.D. PH Patent Application No. 12020050375.

Process for producing multiple stationary phase thin-layer chromatography (MSP-TLC) plate and products thereof, Enriquez, E.P., Sibug-Torres, S.M., Padolina, I.D. PH Patent Application No. 22020050532.

Radial multi-stationary phase thin-layer chromatography for the field-ready fingerprinting of herbal materials, Sibug-Torres, S.M., Padolina, I.D., Enriquez, E.P. Analytical Methods, 2019, 11, 5511–5520. [Cover Article]

Smartphone-based image analysis and chemometric pattern recognition of the thin-layer chromatographic fingerprints of herbal materials, Sibug-Torres, S.M., Padolina, I.D., Cruz, P., Yabillo, M.R., Garcia, F.C., Garrovillas, M.J., Enriquez, E.P. Analytical Methods, 2019, 11, 693–862. [Cover Article]

Email
smrs3@cam.ac.uk