My scientific activity has been continuously developed in the field of environmental and sustainability assessment of energy systems, industrial processes, and infrastructures, with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as the central methodological tool.
During my doctoral stage, I focused on expanding the capabilities of LCA by incorporating environmental impact categories that were uncommon at the time, such as noise and land use change. These contributions enabled a more comprehensive evaluation of complex systems and laid the foundation for further research along this line.
Since joining CIEMAT, I have developed a coherent and sustained research trajectory focused on the sustainability assessment of key technologies for the energy transition. My work has covered areas such as photovoltaic solar energy, hydrogen and fuel cells, biofuels, advanced materials, energy storage, and sustainable road rehabilitation. In these contexts, I have led the application of different LCA approaches (attributional, consequential, and prospective), as well as the development of indicators related to environmental footprint, circularity, and critical raw materials, always aiming to generate knowledge useful for technological planning and public policy.
A particularly relevant part of my work has been the integration of sustainability criteria into real decision-making contexts. I have coordinated and contributed to the development of methodological frameworks applicable to circular economy strategies and to the environmental assessment of emerging technologies, with particular attention to critical materials required for the energy transition. These contributions have been used in evaluation and prioritisation processes at the European level, strengthening the societal and technical impact of the research.
The results of this work have been disseminated through peer-reviewed international scientific publications, books, book chapters, and European technical reports. Beyond the number of publications, I consider especially relevant the thematic continuity of these contributions, their interdisciplinary nature, and their effective use by other researchers, public administrations, and industrial stakeholders.
I have actively participated in competitive research projects at both national and European levels, assuming increasing scientific responsibilities. Since 2024, I have held a unit head position, which has allowed me to lead scientific planning, attract competitive funding, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, contributing to the consolidation of scientific capabilities and alignment with European priorities in sustainability and energy.
My research activity has been enriched by stable international collaborations and research stays in institutions in France and the United States, as well as by my participation in leading European networks in energy sustainability. I have also maintained close collaboration with industry and public entities, participating in innovation projects with directly applicable results.
I have served as an expert evaluator for the European Commission and the Spanish State Research Agency, contributing specialised knowledge in areas such as climate change, circular economy, recycling of critical raw materials, and environmental sustainability. This has strengthened my global perspective on the R&D&I system and its needs.
Training and mentoring young researchers is one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I have co-supervised doctoral theses, as well as master’s and undergraduate dissertations, and have supervised internship students. My involvement in university and specialised teaching has contributed to knowledge transfer to both students and professionals, supporting their capacity to address complex challenges.
Finally, I am a member of scientific and standardisation committees, including ISO committees and European scientific governance bodies, and I have held coordination roles in international research programmes on energy sustainability. These activities complement my research work and reinforce my commitment to an energy transition based on rigorous, useful, and socially responsible knowledge.