I am a Professor at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), Chemical Engineer (UAB, 1999) and PhD in Environmental Science and Technology (UAB, 2005). 

My research activity began in 1999 and focuses on the biological valorisation of organic waste. In a first stage, I worked on the composting process, its optimisation, and the analysis of physicochemical properties, as well as the use of respirometry techniques for the evaluation and control of processes. My doctoral thesis (2000-2005) was the first thesis of the group GICOM, initiating a new line of research in composting at a time of expansion of this technology. In this first stage I carried out highly applied research and participated in multiple contracts with companies, leading several of them. My work stablished the basis for the emerging research group and contributed to generating new knowledge about the composting process of waste of different types. From my PhD thesis I published 6 articles in SCI journals, 2 articles in an American technical journal and 2 articles in technical journals at national level.  

My research has combined an applied aspect in the first years of my career, in contact with waste management companies or producers, with a more exploratory facet, searching for new bioconversion processes for the development of the circular bioeconomy in a second stage. As a member of the GICOM group, I have participated since 2000 in 11 R+D+I projects awarded. In 2006, I did a short and inspiring postdoctoral stay with Dr. Tom Richard at Penn State University (USA), a pioneer in composting, bioenergy and solid-state fermentation. After this, I co-supervised the GICOM's first doctoral thesis on solid-state fermentation, sowing the seeds of a new research line. Without abandoning the composting and anaerobic digestion processes, essential for an integral waste management, our activity evolved into a new line of research in solid-state fermentation, with the aim of obtaining a greater recovery of organic waste, beyond the compost and biogas. Thus, in a first stage we studied the production of hydrolytic enzymes and biopesticides, within the framework of different projects. Then, I co-supervised the first two theses of the group on the production of biosurfactants, consolidating the work line that provided the basis for the on-going project SURFING WASTE where I act as IP1. This project provides the basis for this proposal SOLSTICE. 

I have co-supervised 10 doctoral theses, including one industrial doctorate and co-supervise four more in progress. 7 out of the 10 PhDs develop their careers in universities or research centres in Spain, USA or Colombia. 2 of them work as project managers in private companies. 1 has interrupted her career to become a mother.   

I have been granted three six-year research periods. According to Scopus (10/02/24) my h-index is 33, and my 71 publications have received 3,189 citations, with an average of 396 citations per year in the last 3 years. I have participated in a total of 10 national projects and a European project. I act as IP1 in project Surfing Waste (PID2020-114087RB-I00, 2021-2024). In 2008 I led an AECID project (A/9445/07) in collaboration with the University of Sfax (Tunisia) on biodegradation of phytotoxic compounds through enzymes in the composting of waste from the oil industry. I have participated in numerous contracts with companies and administrations, leading several of them in the period 2002-2010. In 2015 I led a contract with the Belgian company Nutrition Sciences N.V. I have been a vocal member of the board of directors of the Spanish Composting Network since 2018. I am associate editor in the journal Waste Management (Elsevier). 

Additionally, I began my teaching career in 1999 as a pre-doctoral fellow, as an assistant professor in 2005 and as a tenured professor (profesora titular de universidad) since 2010. I am the coordinator of the teaching plan and staff in the Dpt. of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering since 2012. I also acted as the coordinator for teaching innovation in the Engineering School from 2021-2023. Previously, I collaborated with the UAB School of Engineering Dean, coordinating various initiatives to bring engineering closer to girls. Among them, I coordinated the FECYT Ingenionautas project (FCT-10-1034, IP Dr. Sorribes). I collaborate in different initiatives to encourage STEM careers among young students in primary and high schools and to visualize female scientists and engineers.  

General indicators: 

Recognition of 18 years of research experience (3 Sexenios de investigación, last granted in 2017, a 4^th one to be submitted in February 2024). 

Participation in a total of 10 national and 1 European projects. 

PhD theses supervised: 10. Currently under supervision: 4 

Data from Scopus:  

Publications: 71; Citations: 3,189; h-Index: 33.  

Average citations in the last 3 years: 396 cites/y.