Affiliation: University Jaume I of Castellon

Fields or areas of research Plant Biotechnology, Abiotic stress combination, Plant Physiology

Dra. Sara Izquierdo Zandalinas obtained her BSc in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (2010) and then two Master degrees related to different analytical techniques of the laboratory at the University Jaume I of Castelló. Then, she obtained the International PhD in Sciences and the Extraordinary PhD Award by the University Jaume I (2016). During 2017-2021, she worked as postdoctoral researcher at the University of North Texas (USA) and as senior researcher at the University of Missouri (USA) under the supervision of Professor Ron Mittler. In July 2021, she started a new stage of her career funded by GenT program from Generalitat Valenciana in the research group Ecophysiology and Biotechnology in the Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University Jaume I.

Her main research line is focused of the study of physiological, biochemical and molecular responses of plants subjected to the combination of multiple abiotic stresses. The deteriorating environmental conditions of our planet pose an increasingly dire challenge to plants. These, not only include fluctuating weather events (heat waves, cold snaps, flooding and/or drought), but also a dangerous combination of other factors, ranging from extreme soil conditions (saline, basic or acidic), coupled with a high soil content of different contaminants. The study of the specific mechanisms that regulate plant responses to multifactorial stress combinations is key to generate biotechnological-breeding tools for developing more resilient crops in the near future. Overall, her scientific impact is demonstrated by the publication of more than 30 research articles in high impact journals including PNAS, Plant Cell, Trends in Plant Science, Science Signaling, New Phytologist or Plant Physiology. Moreover, her scientific record was recognized by the Francisco Sabater Award given by the Spanish Society of Plant Physiology (2019).