María del Mar García Alcaraz serves as Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena's School of Engineering, specializing in hydrogeological systems and sustainable resource management. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in water-scarce regions and urban environments. Her research portfolio demonstrates deep expertise in groundwater dynamics, geothermal energy systems, and GIS-based environmental modeling. Key contributions include pioneering methodologies for ecosystem services assessment in aquifer management, innovative approaches to shallow geothermal resource mapping in metropolitan areas like Buenos Aires, and advanced tools for hydrogeological data analysis. Her interdisciplinary work integrates hydrogeology, environmental science, and engineering principles to address critical challenges in water security and renewable energy. Publication trends reveal consistent focus on sustainable resource management, with increasing emphasis on urban applications since 2020. Her work combines field studies in Argentina and Spain with computational modeling, producing practical frameworks for groundwater-dependent ecosystem conservation and metropolitan-scale geothermal energy planning. Recent publications highlight growing integration of ecosystem services concepts into hydrogeological practice. While no specific awards are documented in the provided text, her extensive publication record in high-impact journals including Hydrology , Renewable Energy , and Science of the Total Environment demonstrates significant scholarly contribution. Her research has generated multiple software tools and methodologies adopted in professional practice, particularly the TI-GER method for geothermal management. Dr. García Alcaraz actively mentors students through thesis supervision and curriculum development initiatives, notably creating relational maps for EICIM degree programs. Her collaborative research spans international institutions, particularly in Argentina, addressing transboundary water challenges. Current projects focus on groundwater recharge mechanisms in irrigated agriculture and thermal impact assessment of urban geothermal systems, positioning her at the forefront of sustainable water-energy nexus research.
