My research line is very multidisciplinar. We study bacterial mineralization of carbonates and iron oxides. Lately, we are focused on the synthesis of biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles mediated by magnetosome proteins. We characterize those nanoparticles and functionalize them with a variety of molecules for a targeted chemotherapy, magnetic hyperthermia, photothermia and for environmental applications. We have patented this technology and we are collaborating with many researchers to apply that to the clinical sector, both in cancer therapy and in antibacterial treatments, plant diseases, enzyme immobilization and recycling, DNA extraction and water remediation.

I am Associate Professor at the Department of Microbiology of the University of Granada (UGR) since 2011. I have my Bachelor, Master and PhD Degree in Physics, and I also have a Master Degree in Microbiology. I worked at the University of Georgia (USA), first as a Posdoctoral Researcher and then as a Fulbright Scholar. Finally, I returned back to UGR hired as Contratado Ramon and Cajal and later, with a tenure-track position as Profesor Contratado Doctor. Since 2004 I have initiated and directed a new research line at the Department of Microbiology. This line is now consolidated thanks to five consecutive projects of the National Plan of I+D+I of the Spanish Government that I have been granted as PI [CGL2004-03910, CGL2007-63859, CGL2010-18274, CGL2013-46612-P, CGL2016-76723-P (4 with an FPI)], 2 proposal from the regional and University funding (GREIB2011, A-BIO-376-UGR18), 2 grants for technology transfer (PSE/18/001, PI/17/002) and four Proposals for exchange program of researchers, three from the University of Granada program and one from the Fulbright Association (Washington), all of these as PI. I have published >55 articles in JCR journals (74% in Q1, 82% as first, last or corresponding author) and I have two patents. The first one regarding the use of bacterial biomineralization process for the conservation of stone (E200602030), which is being exploited by the company (KBYO). The second one (P201831064, PCT/ES2019/070747) is regarding the production and the biotechnological use of biomimetic magnetic nanoparticles mediated by magnetosome proteins. I have presented my results in more than 70 meeting (most of them international, 13 as invited speaker/keynote). I have very active international collaborations. I have directed 4 PhD Thesis (one still in progress). Three of them were FPI grantees and the one in progress is from a FPU grantee. I have won the third price of the IDEAS contest, regarding innovative ideas. I am also the Chair of the Master in Biotechnology at the University of Granada (since 2019), and the Chair of the Degree in Biochemistry (since 2020). I have been previously the Secretary of these two titles for 8 years each. .