I am a Ramón y Cajal researcher at the Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona (Spain). My research links biofilm functioning to aquatic biogeochemical processes, to ultimately, understand critical ecosystem processes, such as the reduction of river’s self-purification capacity and the risk of phosphorus release from sediments (i.e. internal eutrophication). My research has resulted in more than 40 research outputs including 25 articles published in peer-reviewed international scientific journals; 15 presentations in international conferences and seminars, and a book chapter. My network of collaborators is reflected in >140 co-authors across 17 departments, 12 institutions, and 7 countries.
I have successfully secured funding as principal investigator (PI). Special mention to FLUPHOS (DFG-funded, €240k, 2023-2026) which I individually gained in a highly competitive international funding call (average success rate 26.3%). Also, the AQUACOSM plus transnational access mobility grant that I gained to develop the project REMIC in collaboration with Uppsala University (Sweden). Overall, I have actively participated in > 15 projects including European, international, national and collaborative.
My research has extended beyond academia through collaborations with the Industry. Highlighting industrial research contracts with CETAQUA and ITRAM Higiene to study biofilm formation and persistence in industrial effluents. I would like to highlight the Knowledge Transfer grant (LLAVOR, AGAUR, 2020) that I obtained achieving the TRL 4 to develop a kit to quantify viable bacteria in clean-in-place procedures.
I have co-supervised one PhD student who successfully defended her thesis in 2025 and am currently supervising two PhD students as the main supervisor. My teaching experience includes Practical Sessions in Ecology (2026) and Ecology (2026) from the BsC in Biology and Environmental Sciences at the Universitat de Girona, Water Environment (2025 and 2026) from the MsC in Water Resources Science and Technology at the Universitat de Girona and Advanced Biodiversity from the MsC in Hydrobiology at TU Dresden (2022-2024, Germany). I have served on selection committees for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, as a reviewer for international scientific journals and as Associate Editor of the international scientific journal Hydrobiologia (2025-2026). Additionally, I organized and chaired scientific sessions on microbial biofilms at international conferences (SIL 2022, ASLO 2023, AIL2026). I co-organized and served as a member of the Scientific committee of the 14th Water Research Horizon Conference (Leipzig, Germany 2024). I have been involved in outreach activities, including the Pint of Science festival and podcasts for International Day of Women and Girls in Science.