OPB is Ph.D. in Geology by the Complutense University of Madrid. She is senior scientist at the Planetology and Habitability Department at CAB (CSIC-INTA). She was Head of this department from 2013 to 2017, and is coordinating the Planetary Geology group from 2013.
Her main fields of expertise are in astrobiology and planetary mineralogy. She develops her work primarily on the study of the potential habitable environments of icy satellites of the solar system, and Mars. She has experience in the study of minerals from terrestrial analogs of these planetary objects (e.g. cold environments, salty reservoirs, and high pressure systems), the analysis of the spectroscopic data (Raman and IR) from natural/synthetic samples at both terrestrial and planetary conditions, and in the development of instruments for space missions. She has participated in field campaigns to extreme environments such as Deception Island (Antarctica), Taupo (New Zealand), Chot el D’jerid (Tunisia), Rio Tinto (Spain), Krysuvic and Hveregardi (Iceland). Regarding these topics, she has contributed in projects funded by NASA, ESA and Spanish institutions. She was member of the science study team of JUICE mission before its adoption by ESA. At present, she is involved as co-I on MEDA/Mars 2020-NASA, is member of the science team of the JANUS/JUICE-ESA, member of the science team of the rover of MMX mission- JAXA and collaborates on RLS/Exomars2022-ESA. Besides, she was member of the Solar System Exploration Working group of ESA for the period 2017-2019 and member of the Planetary Protection Panel-B of COSPAR during 2018-2022.
ORCID: 0000-0002-2278-1210
WoS ResearcherID: J-8510-2012
SCOPUS: 55901149000
Key words | Europa, Mars, icy moons, clathrate hydrates, salts, brines, habitability |