María José Delgado Iniesta

María José Delgado Iniesta serves as Full Professor in the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Geology and Soil Science at the University of Murcia's School of Agricultural Engineering. She leads the Soil Science and Technology Research Group while maintaining active collaboration with the Agricultural Science and Technology Research Group at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena, focusing on applied solutions for agricultural and environmental management challenges in Mediterranean ecosystems.

Her research spans soil contamination, biogeochemistry, wetland functionality, and soil regeneration, with particular emphasis on heavy metal pollution from mining, eutrophication impacts, and climate change adaptation. She investigates nutrient cycling in salt marshes, develops soil quality indicators, and tests remediation strategies including biochar applications and plant management systems to address desertification and soil degradation.

Analysis of her 2004-2015 publications reveals consistent focus on Mediterranean coastal ecosystems, especially the Mar Menor lagoon region. Her work integrates field measurements of soil-plant interactions with practical management frameworks, demonstrating how wetlands function as natural filters for contaminants while quantifying carbon sequestration potential under varying environmental stressors.

Scientific Awards:
No specific awards documented in source materials.

She has directed one completed doctoral thesis with two ongoing, plus three master's theses and over twenty undergraduate research projects. Her grant portfolio includes 14 research projects funded between 1995-2014, notably:

• Ministry of Science and Technology project on soil quality indicators in semi-arid ecosystems (2006-2009)
• Four major projects on mining waste remediation (CGL2016-80981-R, CGL2013-49009-C3-1-R, CGL2010-20214, CGL2007-64915)
• International collaboration with Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (1994)

Her research group maintains strong industry partnerships with agricultural companies and government agencies for real-world implementation of soil management techniques, while operating through the University of Murcia's Environmental Soil Science laboratory facilities and the Polytechnic University of Cartagena's agro-food experimental stations.