Naiara Fernández

Since joining iBET in 2017, I have contributed to the Natural Bioactives & Nutraceuticals Area, currently serving as a Senior Scientist and leading the Technological Platform Support Unit.

My role involves overseeing multiple national and European projects, both private and public, reflecting my dedication to advancing scientific research and fostering essential industry collaborations. Additionally, I am committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists, having supervised 4 MSc theses and 1 PhD thesis to completion, with another 3 PhD candidates currently under my supervision.

My research interests lie in the circular economy and green extractions, with a focus on isolating bioactive compounds that offer health benefits or serve as natural phytosanitary ingredients. I also possess expertise in the purification and characterization of small bioactive molecules and I am particularly interested in agro-industry byproduct valorization. This area of research not only promotes sustainable practices but also enables me to build strong connections across the food, pharmaceutical, phytosanitary, and cosmetic industries, driving innovation and sustainability.