Elena Maria Peña Vazquez

Elena Maria Peña Vazquez serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition and Bromatology at the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Santiago de Compostela. She is affiliated with the Institute of Materials (iMATUS) and Strategic Grouping in Materials (AEMAT), conducting research through the GETEE research group (Group of Trace Elements, Spectroscopy and Speciation).

She holds a PhD from the University of Santiago de Compostela (2002), where her doctoral thesis examined copper, iron, and zinc speciation and absorbable fractions in infant dairy products under the supervision of Dr. Pilar Bermejo Barrera and Dr. José María Fraga Bermúdez.

Her research focuses on analytical methodologies for trace element speciation in nutritional contexts, particularly applying spectroscopy to assess mineral bioavailability in food matrices. This work bridges analytical chemistry with practical applications in infant nutrition and food safety, emphasizing how chemical forms of elements impact nutritional value.

As a core member of GETEE, she contributes to advanced analytical research within iMATUS and AEMAT frameworks, driving interdisciplinary studies in materials science with direct implications for food chemistry and public health.