Francisco Jose Garcia Garcia is a Professor at the Universidad Pablo de Olavide, affiliated with the Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems. His research focuses on Zoology, Marine Biology, and Benthic Ecology, with a specialization in Mollusks (particularly Opisthobranchia) and Antarctic Biodiversity. He leads the ORGSIS Organisms and Systems research group and contributes to the Doctoral Programs in Biodiversity and Conservation Biology. PhD in Zoology (1987) from the University of Seville His research spans marine taxonomy, ecological impacts of human activity, and biogeographical patterns of mollusks and arthropods in coastal environments. Recent studies examine invasive species effects (e.g., Amathia verticillata) and wrack dynamics in Atlantic and Mediterranean ecosystems. His publications from 1984–2024 reflect long-term contributions to Antarctic benthos studies (BENTART projects) and nudibranch systematics. Articles highlight expertise in Invasive Species Ecology, Benthic Ecology, and Environmental Impact Assessment, with a focus on mollusk physiology, taxonomy, and habitat interactions. Notable collaborations include Antarctic research campaigns and cross-regional studies comparing Brazil and Spain. As part of the ORGSIS group, he investigates coastal ecosystem functioning, emphasizing sandy beach macrofauna and supralittoral arthropods. His work integrates field experiments (e.g., wrack removal, trampling effects) and laboratory assays on reproductive biology.
Luo Mai is an Assistant Professor at the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics , with an upcoming promotion to Associate Professor (UK Reader) in August 2025. He leads the Large-Scale Machine Learning Systems Group and co-leads the UK EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Machine Learning Systems and an ARIA Project on Scaling AI Compute by 1000X . PhD in Computer Science (Imperial College London, 2018) MRes in Advanced Computing (Imperial College London, 2012) His research focuses on the intersection of computer systems , machine learning , and data management . Key contributions include award-winning systems like WaferLLM (wafer-scale LLM inference), Tenplex (elastic ML), and ServerlessLLM (serverless LLM serving), published at top venues (OSDI, SOSP, ICML, NeurIPS, JMLR). Recent publications demonstrate trends in GPU-based distributed systems , LLM optimization , and adaptive machine learning . His team has developed groundbreaking open-source projects including TensorLayer , TorchOpt , and ServerlessLLM . Awarded Microsoft Research StarTrack Scholar (2024) , secured ARIA grant (2024) with Imperial College & Cambridge University, and received Google Fellowship during PhD (2012-2016). As an educator, he designed Edinburgh's popular Machine Learning Systems course (150+ students). His group supervises multiple PhD students including Yao Fu (recognized as 2024 Rising Star in ML & Systems) and Leyang Xue .
Katherine Villa is a Group Leader at the Institute of Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ), where she leads cutting-edge research in light-driven systems for energy, health, and environmental applications. Her work bridges chemistry, materials science, and nanotechnology, focusing on nanostructured photocatalysts and self-propelled micro/nanorobots. PhD in Chemistry from Autonomous University of Barcelona Former senior scientist at Center for Advanced Functional Nanorobots, Prague Current research group leader at ICIQ, Tarragona, Spain Her research interests center on photocatalysis, nanomaterials, renewable energy, and environmental remediation . She designs nanostructured materials for solar fuel generation and develops photoactive micromotors for water purification and biomedical applications. Her work aligns with EU Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in clean energy and environmental protection. The recent publications highlight a strong trend in functional micro/nanorobots , gas-phase CO2 conversion , and advanced photocatalytic systems . These works span from fundamental charge transport studies to real-world applications in pollution removal and green hydrogen production. Scientific awards and honors include: ERC Starting Grant (2022) BBVA Leonardo Grant in Basic Sciences (2023) RSEQ Young Investigator Award – Group Leader (2023) Member, Young Academy of Spain (2023) BIST Mother of Science Award (2021) Member, Early Career Editorial Board, Applied Catalysis B She actively mentors a diverse team of PhD and master's students , and her group receives substantial funding from the European Research Council (ERC) , Horizon Europe , Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions , and Spanish national programs such as Juan de la Cierva and FPI . She is also involved in outreach, training workshops for grant applications, and public science communication. Her research group operates within a collaborative ecosystem at ICIQ, leveraging advanced scientific core facilities for material characterization, synthesis, and analysis. Projects like PhotoSwim , TherMotors , and PhotoClean reflect the interdisciplinary and innovative nature of her lab.
Eulàlia Nualart is Associate Professor at Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) under the Serra Hunter Program and an Affiliated Professor at the Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (Barcelona GSE). She serves as Deputy Director of the Barcelona GSE Master Program in Economics. Her academic affiliation is with the Department of Economics and Business at UPF, located at the Jaume I Building on the Ciutadella Campus in Barcelona. Research Interests: Her work centers on stochastic analysis and its applications, particularly in finance. Key areas include Malliavin calculus, stochastic and stochastic partial differential equations (SDEs and SPDEs), fractional Brownian motion, Lévy processes, and statistical inference for parametric models driven by stochastic dynamics. These fields are central to modern probability theory and quantitative finance. Publications and Research Trends: Her research has been published in leading journals such as Stochastic Processes and their Applications , The Annals of Probability , SPDEs: Analysis and Computations , and Journal of Functional Analysis . The body of her work reflects a deep engagement with theoretical probability and its practical modeling implications, especially in financial contexts. Marie Curie Career Integration Grant (2013) Advising and Grants: While specific students are not listed, her role as Deputy Director of a master's program and her publication record suggest active mentorship and research supervision. She secured competitive European funding through the Marie Curie program, indicating strong grant-writing ability and research leadership. No other grants are mentioned in the text. Labs and Research Teams: Though no formal lab is named, she is embedded in the research ecosystem of the Department of Economics and Business at UPF and collaborates with the Barcelona GSE, a major hub for economics and finance research in Europe. Her work likely contributes to broader research groups focused on mathematical economics and financial modeling.
CARMEN PADILLA RASCÓN is a Researcher at the Department of Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering at the University of Jaén. She obtained her Doctorate in 2022 with the thesis "Production of furfural and bioethanol from olive stones." Education: PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Jaén (2022) Her research focuses on lignocellulosic biomass valorization through biorefinery systems, particularly using agricultural residues like olive stones and vine shoots for producing biofuels and high-value chemicals. Key techniques include steam explosion, acid/alkaline pretreatments, and microwave-assisted processing. Recent publications highlight integrated biorefinery strategies, furfural production optimization, and recovery of bioactive phenolic compounds. The work often involves process engineering, catalytic transformations, and circular economy principles.
Mar Sobral Bernal is a Professor at the Department of Geography, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, affiliated with the Faculty of Geography and History. She holds a PhD from the same institution (2010) focusing on selection pressures on fruit traits in Crataegus monogyna . Her work emphasizes evolutionary ecology of plant-animal interactions and global change impacts on biodiversity, particularly carbon cycling. She has conducted research at CNRS (France) and Stanford University (USA), and collaborates with groups like ANTE and EcoPast. Research interests include plant defense mechanisms, transgenerational plasticity, functional diversity effects on soil carbon, and science outreach addressing gender equity. Key findings explore how mammal biodiversity influences soil organic matter composition and how herbivory shapes plant phenotypic traits across generations. Publications span plant-animal interactions, climate impacts on ecosystems, and biodiversity-carbon links. Her recent work highlights the role of functional traits in carbon dynamics and transgenerational effects of herbivory. She advocates for equitable science through outreach and policy engagement.
Mario Piattini is a Full Professor at the School of Computer Science of the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) in Spain, where he has served since 2002. He is the founder of the Alarcos research group and has held leadership roles including Director of the Mixed Center for Software Research and Development UCLM-Indra and Director of the Institute of Technologies and Information Systems (ITSI) at UCLM. He has also served as an associate professor at Universidad Complutense and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. His educational background includes a PhD and degree in Computer Science from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, a Psychology degree from UNED, and a Doctor Honoris Causa from Universidad de La Plata (Argentina). He holds multiple master's degrees in IT Audit, Human Resources Management, and Project Management, along with professional certifications including CISA, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT, PMP, and data governance certifications from DAMA. Professor Piattini is a leading expert in software quality, information systems, and security, with a recent strong focus on quantum computing and quantum software engineering. His research spans software engineering methodologies, data quality, AI systems, and the emerging field of quantum software development. He has been recognized as one of the top 15 scholars in systems and software engineering (2004-2008) and among the most active software engineering researchers (2010-2017). His recent publications reveal a significant shift toward quantum computing, with numerous articles on quantum software engineering, quantum-classical hybrid systems, quantum testing frameworks, and quantum software architecture. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical engineering approaches for the emerging quantum computing paradigm. His scientific recognition includes multiple prestigious awards: Premio Nacional a la Trayectoria Profesional del Ingeniero Informático Premio Gabriel Alonso Herrera from JCCM for research trajectory Premio Grace Hooper from COIICLM Premio Aritmel from SCIE Premio FIUM from Universidad de Murcia Premio a la Trayectoria Profesional de ISACA Madrid As an academic leader, Piattini has founded several spinoff companies including Cronos Ibérica (now Alten), Kybele Consulting, Lucentia Lab, DQTeam, AQCLab (the first ENAC-accredited laboratory for software product quality and data evaluation), and I2SC. He serves as secretary of CTN71/SC7 and is a member of various ISO/IEC and UNE standardization committees, contributing significantly to software quality standards development. His research group has established AQCLab, which has been evaluating software quality for 25 years, demonstrating his long-term commitment to practical applications of software engineering research. Through his leadership in both academic and industrial contexts, Piattini has created a robust ecosystem connecting theoretical research with real-world software quality practices.
Marta Monjo Cabrer is a Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Fundamental Biology and Health Sciences, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). She co-leads the Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering (TERCIT) research group, affiliated with UIB, IUNICS, and the Balearic Islands Health Research Institute (IdISBa). She also coordinates the PhD in Translational Research in Public Health and Highly Prevalent Diseases (TISP) and serves on key scientific committees including the Internal Scientific Committee (CCI) and Innovation Commission (CI) of IdISBa. University: University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) Faculty: Faculty of Fundamental Biology and Health Sciences Department: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Group: TERCIT (Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering) Institutional Affiliations: IUNICS, IdISBa, BIOIB (former) Education: Bachelor in Biology, University of the Balearic Islands (1998) Bachelor in Biochemistry, University of the Balearic Islands (1999) PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UIB (2004) Predoctoral Fellowship, UIB (2000–2003) Visiting Researcher, Institute for Nutrition Research, University of Oslo (2001–2002) Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Biomaterials, University of Oslo (2004–2008) Her research focuses on biochemistry, molecular biology, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, biomaterials, drug delivery systems, and therapeutic extracellular vesicles . She has extensive experience in technology transfer and the development of dental implants and specialized medical products. Her academic trajectory includes roles as Associate Professor (2007–2008), Ramón y Cajal Researcher (2009–2013), Contracted Doctoral Lecturer (2014–2017), Senior Lecturer (2017–2022), and Full Professor (current). She has supervised numerous predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers and teaches courses such as General Biochemistry Laboratory, Biomaterials, and Master's thesis projects. The analysis of her scholarly output reveals a strong emphasis on translational research, with publications and projects centered on developing clinical applications of biomaterials and cell-based therapies. Her work bridges laboratory innovation with real-world medical solutions, particularly in dentistry and regenerative medicine. She has contributed to over 90 articles, 5 patents, and more than 100 conference presentations, reflecting a consistent and impactful research trajectory. Scientific Awards and Recognitions: Several entrepreneurship awards 4 teaching quinquenia (five-year teaching periods) 3 research sexenia (six-year research periods) 1 transfer quinquenium (knowledge transfer) CAIB salary supplements for teaching, research excellence, and knowledge transfer Marta Monjo actively supervises predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers and has participated in 27 research projects (13 as principal investigator) and over 30 industry contracts. She played a key role in founding two biotechnology companies and was a member of the executive committee of the Biotechnology and Biomedical Cluster of the Balearic Islands (BIOIB) until 2013. Her leadership extends to academic governance and innovation strategy through her roles in IdISBa and interdisciplinary research coordination. Laboratories and Research Teams: Principal Investigator, Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering (TERCIT) Group, UIB Co-leader with Dr. Joana Mª Ramis Affiliated with IUNICS and IdISBa Active in technology transfer and clinical translation of biomaterials
Laura Llorens Guasch is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Girona, where she has been a faculty member since 2010, previously serving as a Lecturer from 2005 to 2010. Her academic background includes a PhD in Biology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Sheffield. She teaches in the Biology, Environmental Sciences, and Master’s in Environmental Change programs. Bachelor of Biology – University of Barcelona (1999) PhD in Biology – Autonomous University of Barcelona (2003) Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow – University of Sheffield (2003–2005) Her research centers on plant physiological responses to climate change stressors such as elevated CO 2 , drought, temperature rise, and UV radiation, with a focus on Mediterranean ecosystems. She leads research within the Research Group on Soils and Vegetation in the Mediterranean , exploring plant community dynamics and ecosystem resilience. A recent initiative investigates the potential benefits of ruderal species in organic horticulture, particularly for tomato cultivation. Her 15 most recent publications reveal a consistent focus on plant ecophysiology under global change, combining field experiments with physiological measurements. Key themes include photoprotection, water use efficiency, carbon assimilation, and plant-plant interactions. The work spans functional ecology, climate change biology, and sustainable agriculture, often integrating multi-stressor experimental designs. She has served as an associate editor for Functional Ecology and has contributed to 5 book chapters and over 50 conference presentations. Her research has been supported by 14 competitive grants, 4 of which she led as principal investigator. Associate Editor – Functional Ecology (IF=4.83) Principal Investigator in 4 competitive research projects Participant in 14 research projects total Laura Llorens Guasch actively supervises students and contributes to academic mentoring, though specific student names are not listed. Her work continues to advance understanding of how Mediterranean vegetation adapts to environmental change, with implications for conservation and sustainable land use.
Jorge Bernal Bernabe is an Associate Professor at the University of Murcia , affiliated with the Faculty of Informatics and the Department of Information and Communication Engineering . He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Murcia (2015), focusing on 'Authorization and Trust Management in Distributed Systems Based on the Semantic Web.' His research group, Intelligent Systems and Telematics , explores cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions for IoT, 5G/6G networks, and privacy-preserving technologies. He is a key contributor to frameworks like OLYMPUS (privacy-aware identity management) and ARIES (European identity ecosystem). Education : PhD in Computer Science, University of Murcia (2015) Research Interests : His work centers on securing next-generation networks (e.g., 5G/6G), IoT privacy, federated learning applications for intrusion detection, blockchain-based identity systems, and policy-driven security enforcement. He emphasizes privacy-by-design principles and explores challenges in digital sovereignty and decentralized governance. Notable Projects : OLYMPUS: Oblivious identity management system ARIES: Pan-European identity framework ANASTACIA: Security agents for CPS/IoT INSPIRE-5Gplus: Cognitive security for 5G networks Labs/Teams : Active in the Intelligent Systems and Telematics Group , collaborating with industry partners on secure IoT deployments and 5G cybersecurity solutions.
Salvador Naya is a Professor of Statistics and Operations Research at the University of A Coruña, affiliated with the Polytechnic School of Engineering (EPEF). He is a researcher in the Modeling, Optimization and Statistical Inference Group (MODES) and linked to the CITIC Research Center. His work focuses on statistical methodologies applied to maritime technology, energy efficiency, materials science, and interlaboratory studies. Recent activities include a keynote lecture on data and AI applications across domains (land, sea, air, space) at the Ferrol Industrial Campus. Research interests span statistical quality control, predictive modeling for naval engineering, thermal degradation analysis of biomaterials, and anomaly detection in energy systems. He collaborates with industry partners like Navantia Seanergies and has contributed to projects on Panama Canal vessel transit optimization, renewable energy, and waste-to-resource initiatives. His academic contributions include R package development (e.g., TTS, ILS) for statistical analysis in materials science and interlaboratory studies. He actively engages in education and industrial partnerships, emphasizing Industry 4.0 applications in maritime and construction sectors.
Manuel Fernández Grela is a Professor at the University of Santiago de Compostela, affiliated with the Faculty of Economic and Business Sciences and the Department of Fundamentals of Economic Analysis. He is a member of the GAME Economic Analysis and Modeling Group at the Institute of Studies and Development of Galicia (IDEGA). His research focuses on economic analysis, regional development, tourism economics, innovation, and cluster dynamics with a particular emphasis on Keynesian perspectives and cross-border economic comparisons between Galicia and Northern Portugal. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Santiago de Compostela, where his thesis Financial Innovation and Its Interpretations from a Keynesian Point of View (1995) was supervised by Dr. Alberto Meixide Neighbor. His work spans macroeconomic policy analysis, entrepreneurship-driven competitiveness, environmental regulation impacts, and socio-economic development in regions like Kazakhstan and Spain. Recent research highlights include analyzing tourism clusters, environmental standards' employment effects, and entrepreneurship's role in urban competitiveness. He frequently employs input-output analysis and SVAR models in his empirical work. His contributions bridge theoretical economic frameworks with applied regional development strategies. While no formal advising relationships or grants are explicitly detailed, his involvement with IDEGA and the GAME group indicates active participation in collaborative research initiatives. His publications reflect a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches addressing both local and global economic challenges.
Josep Casanovas is a Full Professor at the Statistics and Operations Research Department of the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC), affiliated with the Barcelona School of Informatics. He previously served as head of inLab FIB (2012-2020) and as dean (1998-2004) and vice-rector (2006-2011) of UPC, leading strategic initiatives in university governance and ICT policies. His research focuses on Modelling and Simulation , Internet and Information Systems , and Urban Mobility . He has led projects for the European Union, including C-ROADS Spain, REMEDiAL, and ECHORD++, addressing intelligent transport, software automation, and robotic innovation. Recent publications highlight his work on agent-based simulation for urban health, deep learning applications in traffic and energy savings, and wildfire management tools . He co-directs LogiSim and coordinates the Severo Ochoa Research Excellence Program at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS).
Maria Cruz Negreira Rey is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Communication Sciences, Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela. She is affiliated with the Institute of Studies and Development of Galicia (IDEGA). Her research focuses on digital media innovation, hyperlocal journalism, and the intersection of technology with news production. She holds a Doctorate (2020) from the same university, with a thesis on hyperlocal cybermedia in Spain, supervised by Dr. Xosé López García. Her academic work emphasizes the transformation of journalism in the digital age, particularly exploring AI integration in communication sectors, audience-driven journalism, and challenges posed by news deserts. Key research areas include media geography, risk communication (e.g., radon gas reporting), and the adaptation of journalism to platforms like TikTok and Twitch. She has also studied comparative models of hyperlocal media in Spain and the Netherlands, and the role of digital native media in societal communication. Her publications highlight trends such as the blurring boundaries between traditional journalism and citizen-generated content, the ethical implications of AI in media, and the strategic reinvention of local journalism in the face of technological disruption. While no formal awards are listed, her prolific output reflects significant contributions to media studies and communication science. Her research extends to media labs, innovation in public service broadcasting, and the sociability functions of online media networks. She collaborates on projects mapping media landscapes, such as Galicia’s digital media ecosystem, and analyzing the impact of instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp in news dissemination.
Dr. Andreu Català Mallofré is a Full Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), affiliated with the Department of Systems, Automatic and Industrial Informatics Engineering. He serves as the principal investigator at the CETpD - Centre d'Estudis Tecnològics per a l'Atenció a la Dependència i la Vida Autònoma (Technical Research Center for Dependency Care and Autonomous Living) and leads the TOC - Tecnologia Orientada a la Comunitat (Community-Oriented Technology) research group. With an academic career spanning over 30 years, he specializes in assistive technologies, human-computer interaction, and biomedical data analysis. His research interests focus on Wearable health monitoring systems Parkinson's disease management solutions Frailty assessment algorithms Emotion-driven computing Community-embedded technology Gerontechnology applications These areas have produced 367 academic outputs including 59 indexed journal articles, 148 conference papers, and 66 competitive R&D projects. Recent publications demonstrate a clear trend toward multimodal health monitoring combining inertial sensors with biometric data for aging populations . Key application areas include freezing-of-gait detection in Parkinson's patients and distress estimation during assisted mobility. His 2024 work explores agricultural sustainability through data-driven fertilizer optimization. Scientific recognition includes UPC Social Council Award (2013) 20+ years as conference committee member Multiple competitive R&D grants 23391773000 Scopus ID Orcid 0000-0001-8775-1955 As academic advisor, he has mentored 3 PhD candidates including Daniel Manuel Rodriguez-Martin (Human Movement Analysis, 2020) Leonid Ivonin (Physiological Signal Processing, 2014) John Neal Abram Brown (Calm Computing, 2014) His teams operate within Vilanova i la Geltrú's School of Engineering, with strong industry and healthcare sector collaborations.
