Dr. Josep Peñuelas is a world-renowned ecologist and Research Professor of the National Research Council of Spain (CSIC) at the Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF). He serves as Director of the CREAF-CEAB-CSIC Global Ecology Unit at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, where his interdisciplinary research has shaped understanding of global environmental change. Born in Vic, Catalonia in 1958, Dr. Peñuelas has dedicated his career to advancing ecological science through innovative approaches that bridge plant ecophysiology, atmospheric science, and remote sensing technologies. His early work with Ramon Margalef laid the foundation for his internationally recognized contributions to global ecology, establishing him as a leading figure in environmental science.
Dr. Peñuelas has made seminal contributions to understanding atmosphere-biosphere interactions, particularly through his pioneering research on biogenic volatile organic compounds emissions by plants and ecosystems. His development of remote sensing techniques to assess plant and ecosystem functioning has been widely adopted by researchers worldwide, transforming how we monitor environmental change. With over 1,800 scientific publications, including numerous articles in Nature, Science, and PNAS, his work has received approximately 185,000 citations, demonstrating extraordinary impact across multiple scientific disciplines. His research has provided critical evidence of climate change effects on Mediterranean ecosystems and advanced our understanding of global biogeochemical cycles, particularly phosphorus dynamics.
Beyond his research, Dr. Peñuelas has been instrumental in shaping environmental policy through his advisory roles with the Consell Assessor per al Desenvolupament Sostenible of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Barcelona City Hall's Group of Experts for the Climate Emergency. He has received numerous accolades including the National Research Prize of Catalonia, the Premio Rey Jaime I, and the Ramon Margalef Prize in Ecology, reflecting his standing as one of the most influential environmental scientists of his generation. Dr. Peñuelas remains actively engaged in mentoring the next generation of ecologists while continuing his research on the intersection of global health, food security, and environmental sustainability. His ongoing ERC Synergy Grant work on phosphorus imbalance demonstrates his continued leadership in addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
