Rosa Laura Lopez Marques

Rosa Laura Lopez Marques is a Professor in Plant Membrane Biotechnology at the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN), University of Copenhagen since October 1, 2024. Previously, she served as a Tenured Associate Professor and Group Leader at PLEN from 2012 to 2024, and as a Junior Group Leader at the Centre for Membrane Pumps in Cells and Disease-PUMPkin from 2008 to 2012.

• Doctor scientiarum, University of Copenhagen (2023)
• PhD in Chemistry (Cum laude), University of Seville, Spain (2004)
• MSc in cellular and molecular biology, University of Seville, Spain (2002)
• Major in Chemistry (Honors), University of Seville, Spain (2000)

Professor Lopez Marques' research focuses on understanding the role of lipid flippases (P4-ATPases) in plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. Her group has developed techniques to study the mechanism, regulation, and physiological role of plant lipid flippases, including molecular biology, biochemistry, advanced bioimaging, and high-throughput analysis tools. Her work aims to apply this knowledge to generate crops resilient to environmental stresses to ensure future food production.

Her research output demonstrates a strong focus on plant membrane biology, particularly lipid transport mechanisms and their applications in crop improvement. Recent publications highlight work on quinoa breeding, saponin biosynthesis regulation, and the molecular mechanisms of P4-ATPase lipid flippases in plant stress adaptation.

• Keynote speaker, XXIV International Symposium in Plant Lipids (2022)
• Nominee, Teacher of the Year Award, Faculty of Science, Copenhagen University (2021)
• Faculty Member, Faculty of 1000 (since 2020)
• Invited speaker at multiple international conferences on plant membrane biology and lipid flippases

Professor Lopez Marques actively supervises students and secures significant research funding. She currently supervises 4 PhD students (2 as main supervisor) and has supervised 11 PhD students since 2008 (7 as main supervisor). Her grant portfolio includes projects from Carlsberg Foundation, Novo Nordisk Fonden, Det Fri Forskningsråd, and Spanish Ministry of Science, totaling millions of DKK and Euros. She serves as PI or co-PI on multiple projects focused on plant membrane biology and crop improvement.

She leads the Section for Transport Biology at PLEN and is actively involved in the NovoCrops center as a WP leader. Professor Lopez Marques also serves as Vice-President of the Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society and on the Faculty Board at the University of Copenhagen.