My research career has been focused on the biogeochemistry of fire-affected organic matter preserved in complex environmental matrices (e.g., soil, sediment, speleothem). During my PhD (2014-2017) at the University of Seville, I implemented a multidisciplinary approach that allowed a remarkable mastery in biogeochemistry and advanced mass spectrometry techniques (Py-GC/MS/IRMS, FTICR/MS). The outcomes of this PhD thesis have contributed to determine biomarkers surrogated to soil hydrophobicity in the burnt area from Doñana National Park (Spain). During this period, I spent 12 months in different prestigious foreign research institutions, increasing my international experience and supplementing my technical know-how. This thesis obtained the maximum academic distinction and the European PhD mention. In 2018, it was recognized as the Best Thesis in Soil Science by the Spanish Society of Soil Science. Due to my expertise in molecular and isotopic analytical techniques, in 2018 I was granted a 2-year postdoctoral fellowship at university of Évora (UÉvora), associated with the projects Por3O (PTDC/AGRPRO/2003/2014) funded by FCT and MedOOmics (Arimnet2/0001/2015) funded by European Commission. I generated for the first-time forecast models of geo-climate parameters in European agricultural products using Py-GC/IRMS. This research, published in 4 SCI journals (Q1), opened the door to important insights into new analytical tools for the authenticity of olive oil under climate change scenarios. In 2020, I successfully obtained a 3-year research project (300k€) funded by FCT, aimed at developing new post-fire erosion risk models based on molecular biomarkers. This project has allowed me to establish and lead a new research line on wildfire biogeochemistry at the University of Évora. Thanks to my contribution in biogeochemistry and wildfire, I am among the top 1% of the world's experts in the scientific area of wildfire and soil organic matter. In 2020, I have been designated President of FUEGORED network (>300 researchers). In addition, I obtained a EUROPLANET 2024 RI TA project (20k€) from the H2020 program, to assess the molecular composition of organic matter preserved in saline sediments. I also obtained a R&D contract (10k€) from Consorcio Santiago de Compostela (Spain) for assessing the source of organic matter in rock matrices using Py-GC/MS. Recently, I have obtained a highly competitive individual postdoctoral contract (Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus - 4th Edition) awarded by FCT-Portugal, as well as an exploratory R&D cooperation project (25k€) funded by “Associação Oceano Atlântico” (Portugal). My scientific and teaching track record comprises 62 peer-reviewed publications: i) 34 articles in SCI journals (100% in Q1); ii) 23 articles in non-SCI journals; and iii) 5 book chapters. I have >100 contributions to congresses, including 5as invited lecturer; 8 travel awards and 4 best communication awards. I am editorial board member of the Spanish Journal of Soil and Science and Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology journal, and guest-editor of 4 special issues (Applied Science, IJPEGH, SOIL and Front. For. Glob. Change). I have >100 lecturing hours (USeville and UÉvora) and experience in supervising students, with 2 completed MSc theses and 1 ongoing PhD thesis.
