Belén Fernández | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

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Dr. Belén Fernández | Environmental Science | Women Researcher Award

Researcher of IRTA, Spain .

Dr. Mª Belén Fernández García, a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela (2004), is a dedicated researcher in environmental sciences, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. She specializes in organic waste valorization, focusing on processes like anaerobic digestion and fermentative bioreactors. With an h-index of 20, Dr. Fernández García has led numerous research projects and supervised doctoral theses, contributing significantly to the field of sustainability and renewable energy. Her expertise extends to pretreatment techniques for enhancing biological degradation of organic wastes and developing innovative solutions for renewable energy production and emissions mitigation. Dr. Fernández García’s current research emphasizes agroindustrial waste valorization for renewable energy, nutrient recovery, and emissions reduction. She is actively involved in several ongoing research projects aimed at promoting sustainability in agriculture and waste management. Her work underscores a commitment to scientific excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

Professional Profiles:

Education

Dr. Mª Belén Fernández García earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2004. Since 2012, she has been a dedicated researcher in the Sustainability in Biosystems Program at IRTA. Her research spans environmental sciences, biotechnology, and chemical engineering, focusing on organic waste valorization processes. Dr. Fernández García has extensive experience in developing and demonstrating waste valorization methods at laboratory and pilot scales, specializing in anaerobic digestion, fermentative bioreactors, and microbial activity assessments. She has led numerous EU and national research projects, supervised doctoral theses, and contributed to innovative initiatives for renewable energy production and emissions mitigation in agroindustrial settings. Currently, she is actively involved in projects promoting sustainability in olive cultivation and optimizing resource use in agriculture. Her work exemplifies a commitment to advancing sustainable solutions for environmental challenges.

Professional Experience

Dr. Mª Belén Fernández García, a Chemical Engineering PhD from the University of Santiago de Compostela (2004) and researcher at IRTA since 2012, specializes in environmental sciences and biotechnology. With expertise in organic waste valorization, anaerobic digestion, and bioreactor technologies, she leads innovative projects in renewable energy and emissions reduction. Dr. Fernández García has contributed to numerous EU and national research initiatives, supervising doctoral theses and master’s projects. Her current focus involves agroindustrial waste valorization for energy and nutrient recovery, alongside emissions reduction strategies in farm-scale settings. Committed to sustainable practices, she champions novel solutions in environmental engineering and biotechnology, aligning her work with global efforts toward a greener future.

Research Interest

Dr. Mª Belén Fernández García, with a PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela, is a dedicated researcher focusing on environmental sciences, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. Her expertise lies in the valorization of organic waste through innovative processes, such as anaerobic digestion and fermentative bioreactors, to produce renewable energy sources like biogas and biohydrogen. Dr. Fernández García is well-versed in pretreatment methods for optimizing organic waste degradation and nutrient recovery from agroindustrial residues. She has an extensive track record in both EU and national projects, with a strong commitment to sustainability and emissions reduction in agri-food systems. Currently, her research explores novel approaches to waste valorization, nutrient recovery, and emissions mitigation, contributing significantly to the field of environmental engineering and biotechnology.

Award and Honors

Dr. Mª Belén Fernández García is a distinguished researcher specializing in environmental sciences, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. She obtained her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2004 and currently holds an impressive h-index of 20. Dr. Fernández García is renowned for her expertise in organic waste valorization processes, with extensive experience in anaerobic digestion, fermentative bioreactors, and pretreatment techniques to enhance biological degradation. Throughout her career, Dr. Fernández García has actively contributed to 23 EU and national public projects and 93 private R&D&i contracts. She has supervised 8 completed doctoral theses and continues to mentor 2 ongoing doctoral candidates, along with overseeing 15 master’s final projects and 28 internships for professional and university degree students. Her research focuses on sustainable energy production, nutrient recovery from waste, and innovative emissions mitigation strategies, making significant strides in environmental engineering and sustainability.

Research Skills

Dr. Mª Belén Fernández García possesses a diverse and advanced skill set in research methodologies and techniques, particularly in environmental sciences, biotechnology, and chemical engineering. Her research spans the development and demonstration of organic waste valorization processes at laboratory and pilot scales, with expertise in anaerobic digestion, fermentative bioreactors, and microbial activity assessments. She specializes in employing pretreatment techniques such as high-pressure/temperature treatment, hydrothermal carbonization, and ultrasonic treatment to enhance the biological degradation of organic wastes. Dr. Fernández García has extensive experience managing EU and national research projects, private R&D&i contracts, and supervising doctoral and master’s theses. Her collaborative approach and innovative solutions contribute significantly to the field of sustainability and renewable energy. With a focus on agroindustrial waste valorization, she is dedicated to developing solutions for renewable energy production, nutrient recovery, and emissions mitigation. Her research skills underscore her commitment to addressing environmental challenges through scientific excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Publications

  1. Publication Title: “Effectiveness of precision feeding in reducing N excretion in dairy cattle”
    • Authors: Morey, L.; Bach, A.; Sabrià, D.; Fernández, B.; Terré, M.
    • Journal: Animal Feed Science and Technology, 2023, 304, 115722
    • Citations: 0
  2. Publication Title: “Acidification and solar drying of manure-based digestate to produce improved fertilizing products”
    • Authors: Morey, L.; Fernández, B.; Tey, L.; Cots, M.; Riau, V.
    • Journal: Journal of Environmental Management, 2023, 336, 117664
    • Citations: 7
  3. Publication Title: “Near infrared spectroscopy for fast characterization of animal by products feedstocks for biogas production: Calibration of a handheld device”
    • Authors: Otero, A.; Segura, C.; Tey, L.; Comaposada, J.; Fernández, B.
    • Journal: Biomass and Bioenergy, 2023, 169, 106691
    • Citations: 1
  4. Publication Title: “Use of wood and cork in biofilters for the simultaneous removal of nitrates and pesticides from groundwater”
    • Authors: Escolà Casas, M.; Guivernau, M.; Viñas, M.; Biel, C.; Matamoros, V.
    • Journal: Chemosphere, 2023, 313, 137502
    • Citations: 4
  5. Publication Title: “Assessment of a novel microalgae-cork based technology for removing antibiotics, pesticides and nitrates from groundwater”
    • Authors: Rambaldo, L.; Ávila, H.; Escolà Casas, M.; Bayona, J.M.; Matamoros, V.
    • Journal: Chemosphere, 2022, 301, 134777
    • Citations: 14
  6. Publication Title: “Influence of pH and temperature on struvite purity and recovery from anaerobic digestate”
    • Authors: González-Morales, C.; Fernández, B.; Molina, F.J.; Matamoros-Veloza, A.; Camargo-Valero, M.A.
    • Journal: Sustainability (Switzerland), 2021, 13(19), 10730
    • Citations: 26
  7. Publication Title: “Biogas production from slaughterhouse waste: Effect of blood content and fat saponification”
    • Authors: Otero, A.; Mendoza, M.; Carreras, R.; Fernández, B.
    • Journal: Waste Management, 2021, 133, pp. 119–126
    • Citations: 9
  8. Publication Title: “The determination of fertilizer quality of the formed struvite from a WWTP”
    • Authors: González, C.; Fernández, B.; Molina, F.; Camargo-Valero, M.A.; Peláez, C.
    • Journal: Water Science and Technology, 2021, 83(12), pp. 3041–3053
    • Citations: 6
  9. Publication Title: “Combined acidification and solar drying of pig slurries for nutrient recovery and controlled atmospheric emissions”
    • Authors: Prenafeta-Boldú, F.X.; Fernández, B.; Viñas, M.; Soler, J.; Illa, J.
    • Journal: Agronomy, 2021, 11(2), 222
    • Citations: 3
  10. Publication Title: “Solar drying in the vineyard: A sustainable technology for the recovery of nutrients from winery organic waste”
    • Authors: Prenafeta-Boldú, F.X.; Burgos, L.; Noguerol, J.; Mercader, M.; Soler, J.
    • Journal: Water Science and Technology, 2020, 82(1), pp. 27–38
    • Citations: 2