About Me

I am a soil biogeochemist with a special interest in the study of soil-plant interactions. In my research I aim to study the impact of some drivers of soil degradation on soil functioning, and to propose strategies for improving soil quality and restoring the provision of ecosystem services by soils. My experience has been gained from the participation in a range of multidisciplinary projects studying how a range of chemical and biological soil processes are affected by major environmental problems, such as contamination, increasing recurrence of drought events, and eutrophication. In these projects I have applied a range of techniques, including measurements of nutrient and trace-element fluxes, analyses of soil microbial activity and diversity (soil respiration, carbon use efficiency, enzyme activities, PLFA and TRFLP profiling, metabarcoding techniques), and measurements of plant growth and functional traits.

ORCID: 0000-0002-7348-9543
ResearcherID: K-6081-2014
Scopus: 26661776200

Education

Research Interests

Soil pollution and remediation

A relevant part of my research has been focused on understanding the consequences soil pollution in Mediterranean ecosystems, and on assessing the impact of different remediation approaches on soil processes relevant to C sequestration, such as soil respiration and organic matter accumulation. Studied management approaches include afforestation, assisted natural remediation and, more recently, the establishment of energy crops in marginal degraded lands.

2005 - 2009. PhD, Environmental Sciences. Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla (Spain).
2005 - 2006. Advanced Diploma on Conservation Biology. Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of Sevilla (Spain).
1998 - 2003. Degree in Environmental Sciences. Pablo de Olavide University (Spain).

Climate change impact on soil C cycling

Climate change is a major driver of soil degradation in many biomes, as it might result in increases in soil erosion rates and losses of organic C through stimulated soil respiration. Since my postdoctoral period in the UK I am also interested in studying the impact of climate change factors, such as drought and warming, on soil functioning.

Soil biogeochemistry in decaying forest

As a secondary research line I have been also involved in some projects related to soil biogeochemistry in decaying cork oak forests, affected by soil degradation processes (salinization eutrophication and invasion by Phytophthora cinnamomi).

Professional Experience

2021-present. Lecturer at University of Sevilla (Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry)
2017 - 2021. Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Sevilla (Contrato de Acceso, Plan Propio I+D)
2014 - 2017. Postdoctoral Researcher at IRNAS-CSIC (Juan de la Cierva Program).
2013. Postdoctoral Researcher at IRNAS-CSIC (Biogeobird Project).
2010 - 2012. Postdoctoral Researcher at Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Bangor (NERC, UK).
2011. Visiting postdoc at the Isofys lab, Gent Univerisity (Belgium).
2005 - 2009. PhD Student at IRNAS-CSIC (FPU Program).
2006. Visiting PhD student at Soil Protection Group, ETH - Zurich (Switzerland).
2003. Initiation to Research Fellowship at IRNAS-CSIC.