I am a Scientist at the ICM-CSIC with a wide experience in marine microbial ecology. My main research line is the study of the role of microorganisms in the biogeochemical cycles in the ocean. Specifically, I am interested in bacterial functional and phylogenetic diversity which I study using molecular tools such as sequencing rDNA genes CARD-FISH, extracellular enzyme activities and bacterial utilization of carbon sources. I have applied my research to all kind of environments, from microlayers to deep ocean, and from polar ice to tropical environments. Lately my research has focused also in relevant themes for the society such as pollution and airborne microorganisms and microplastic degradation.
I have led several national and international projects and have published more than 90 papers. I have several management positions such as the Steering Committee of the Catalan Society for Biology. I consider outreach, edition and evaluation activities very important and I am Associate Editor of the board of Frontiers in Microbiology and of Scientia Marina, and an elected member of the Expert Panel of the Research Foundation Flanders (Belgium).