Elsa Fuentes Alonso

Elsa Fuentes Alonso is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), affiliated with the Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry under the Faculty of Pharmacy. Her research focuses on the impact of climate change on phototrophic biofilms colonizing cultural heritage materials, particularly granite structures. She completed her doctoral thesis in 2023 under the supervision of Dra. Beatriz Prieto Lamas, examining climate change effects on biodeterioration processes in monumental heritage. Key areas include biofilm interactions, environmental stressors like temperature and CO2, and eco-friendly cleaning methods for heritage conservation.

Her work integrates microbiology, environmental chemistry, and materials science to address biodeterioration mechanisms and preservation strategies. Notable projects involve laboratory simulations of climate change impacts on biofilm development and evaluation of natural-based biocides for heritage surfaces. She collaborates with the GEMAP research group (Group of Environmental Studies Applied to Natural and Cultural Heritage), focusing on interdisciplinary approaches to heritage material degradation.

Publications emphasize methodological advancements in biofilm cultivation, color measurement techniques for soil-plant studies, and the role of moisture dynamics in masonry colonization. Her research bridges fundamental science with applied conservation challenges, contributing to sustainable solutions for cultural heritage preservation in a changing climate.