Clara Torrentó

Biography

I am currently a Serra Húnter Fellow at Universitat de Barcelona (UB) & Senior Researcher at MAiMA Research Group. My research interests are focused on the use of isotopic tools to assess the fate of contaminants (both inorganic and inorganic) in groundwater and contaminated soil, with a strong focus on experimental studies at laboratory and field scale to characterize transport and fate of contaminants as well as natural and induced attenuation processes. Current research lines are focused on agricultural and industrial pollution sources, with a special aim in the isotopic characterization of natural and enhanced remediation processes.

My academic career, with a strong focus on research and knowledge transfer and a clear international character, is divided into 5 stages:
(1) Predoctoral stage (2004-2010), IDAEA-CSIC, research focused on denitrification by oxidation of pyrite and its potential use as a bioremediation strategy for groundwater. (2) First postdoctoral stage, MAiMA-UB (2011-2014), research focused on in-situ induced attenuation of agricultural and industrial pollutants. I started supervising a PhD Thesis (A. Grau, defended in 2018).
(3) Second postdoctoral stage, UNiNE (2014-2017), scientific management and team coordination of a Swiss SNSF project focused on the degradation of organic micropollutants.
(4) Senior researcher stage, MAiMA-UB (since 2017). High responsibility for project management. I am currently supervising a PhD student about atmospheric contamination (E. Plasencia).
(5) Own research line, MAiMA-UB (since 2019). I started a new research line focused on demonstrating the applicability of multi-isotopic techniques to assess the fate in the environment of pesticides and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). I led a Marie Curie project, and I am currently supervising a PhD student in this topic (M. Vinyes).