Dra. Ana Sánchez Zurano

Ana Sánchez Zurano is a researcher and professor specialized in microalgae biotechnology, circular economy, and sustainable wastewater treatment. Her work focuses on developing environmentally friendly solutions using microalgae for water treatment, nutrient recovery, CO₂ capture, and sustainable agriculture.

She has published 49 scientific papers in international journals and 4 book chapters, reaching an h-index of 24. Many of her publications were developed through international collaborations. Her research activity is strongly connected to innovation and technology transfer. She has participated in 5 regional, 5 national, and 2 international competitive research projects, as well as 6 R&D contracts with companies. These projects focused on the development of bioproducts, biopesticides, and the valorization of microalgae biomass within circular economy strategies. She has collaborated with companies such as Biorizon Biotech S.L. and Algemy Ingredients S.L., helping to create new sustainable value chains based on microalgae technologies. She also served as co-principal investigator in a project with the company CHLYDRO, focused on evaluating CO₂ capture technologies using microalgae.​

In recent years, she has coordinated important research initiatives, including the international SUSWELL project, funded by the European alliance EUniWell, promoting circular economy and wellbeing practices in higher education. She also coordinated the FISHINGALGAE project under the ThinkInAzul program, funded by the Spanish government and NextGenerationEU funds. More recently, she received a Leonardo Grant from the BBVA Foundation for the AGROMAR project, which aims to develop innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions through resource recovery and waste reuse.​

She is also an active member of international scientific networks such as RENUWAL, RIBAL, and COST Action ParAqua, strengthening her international research collaborations and scientific impact.