Iñaki Ruiz Trillo
Principal Investigator, ICREA Research Professor
Iñaki was always fascinated by biology and evolution, and his research career shows that. From the origin of bilaterian animals, to the origin of multicellular organisms or the origin of eukaryotes, he has always been at the forefront of investigating key evolutionary transitions. He is an EMBO member and Adjunct professor at Department of Genetics, University of Barcelona. His research group is built on the principle of supporting diverse thinking and provides a space in which team members can grow according to their interests and features. Iñaki is always in a good mood and is famous as a prankster. He is always looking for new ideas and thrives on collaboration. A father of three, Iñaki is a dedicated family man and tries (or struggles) to find enough time for both family and work.
✆ +34 93.230.96.40
✉ inaki.ruiz@ibe.upf-csic.es
Meritxell Antó
Lab manager
Meritxell is the master of the lab, the one responsible that all works well. From taking care of our organisms, the people and the lab, to perform some of the most difficult techniques or to sample in whatever place. Meri is naturally adventurous and loves the oceans and the Mediterranean sea. With a passion for art and music, she spends her free time learning new languages, travelling to new places and going to concerts.
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ meritxell.anto@ibe.upf-csic.es
Elena Casacuberta
Co-Principal Investigator, CSIC Researcher
Elena enjoys many different scientific topics. She has worked on transposons, metamorphosis, and several model organisms, and now, she is the master of our efforts to develop emerging model systems. Growing up as one of the youngest siblings of a large family, it is no wonder that Elena takes a firm stand on the quest for equality and gender balance. She is also an avid bookworm, a writer, and a fan of meditation, and she is our best source for classical music gems and some trekking trips.
✆ +34 93.230.96.37
✉ elena.casacuberta@ibe.upf-csic.es
Michelle Leger
Postdoctoral researcher; Juan de la Cierva grant
Michelle has a clear love for science and scientists. Some of her favourite themes are protists and the origin and evolution of eukaryotes, and she thinks deeply about those issues. Michelle is the other “public relations” of the lab. She knows everybody in the Institute and in the protists world and, more importantly, everybody knows her. Her empathy is so immense that it gets contagious around the lab and she is the best at easing any potential tensions. She was raised in Luxembourg and did her PhD in Canada.
✉ michelle.leger@ibe.upf-csic.es
Claudio Scazzocchio
Long term visitor; Emeritus Professor Université Paris-Saclay and visiting professor Microbiology Department, Imperial College London. EMBO member.
Claudio is a role model for all of us. He knows everything and remembers everything about molecular biology, metabolism, genetics, and evolution and he remembers it all!. He has lived and worked in many different places, from Uruguay and Italy to the UK, France, and Spain. But, more important than his deep knowledge and experience, is his positive attitude. In his 80’s, he has boundless energy driven by pure passion and enthusiasm. He is an avid reader, a curious mind searching for answers, and a great person to chat with and learn from.
✉ c.scazzocchio@imperial.ac.uk
Patricia Suárez Ara
PhD student; FPI fellowship
Patricia is everywhere, literally. She is always working, but also present in all the parties and leisure activities. Most times, Patricia is the first one to be in the meetings too. Moreover, she is involved in many different projects, but she seems to be handling that well. She is also up-to-date in everything that happens in the world! Currently, all our hopes to get CRISPR/Cas9 to work in both Capsaspora and Corallochytrium are all in her hands.
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ patricia.suarez@ibe.upf-csic.es
Victoria Shabardina
Postdoctoral researcher
Vika is another “Swiss-knife”. She can work on the bench, try new methodologies or use the weirdest bioinformatics software available. Grown-up in Russia, with a PhD in Germany, she knows how to be efficient and stand up for what she thinks is right. She has a passion for Science and for the communication of Science. Indeed she regularly writes in her blog about her work, but with a personal touch. She is our “nanopore master”.
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ victoria.shabardina@ibe.upf-csic.es
Nick Brown
Sabbatical researcher; University of Cambridge
Nick is our Drosophila and cell adhesion expert. He has his own lab in Cambridge, but he is so affable and helpful to us that we consider him a member of the lab. Nick's enthusiasm for science knows no bounds, but it doesn't stop there. He's the go-to person for engaging conversations on almost any topic; his curiosity is insatiable. He also actively participates in all our social activities, fostering a sense of unity among the team members. When he's not in the lab, you can find him exploring the beauty of mountains.
✉ nb117@cam.ac.uk
Gonzalo Bercedo
PhD student
Gonzalo is our experimental evolution guy, together with Koryu. Originally from Madrid, Gonzalo has made a lasting impression in the lab for a few reasons. First, his sense of humor is renowned, and his jokes never (or almost never) fail to bring a smile to the faces of his fellow team members. Secondly, his appetite is legendary; there's no challenge too big when it comes to his culinary feats.
Gonzalo is also a passionate communicator of science, always eager to participate in events to communicate science to the general public.
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ gonzalo.bercedo01@estudiant.upf.edu
Fernando Bascón
PhD student; FPU fellowship
Fernando shares an uncanny resemblance to the esteemed Iñaki, albeit a “bit” younger, while having a very personal touch to everything he does. Fernando's affinity for dark and black attire is a testament to his enigmatic and focused personality. He brings this same precision to his research, with a specialization in Corallochytrium, delving deep into the complexities of this intriguing taxon. Among Fernando's renowned traits is his reputation as the slowest-ever eater in our group. Lunch breaks with him can turn into leisurely marathons, sometimes spanning a full two hours. It's a testament to his dedication to savoring every bite and enjoying the simple pleasures in life.
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ fernando.bascon@ibe.upf-csic.es
Marta Álvarez
Early career researcher; ComFuturo fellowship
Marta, or Ona, is an old friend of Iñaki to whom she shares not only a love for science and nature but also the same PhD supervisor, our beloved Marta Ritutort. Marta's exceptional organizational skills are a driving force behind all her success. She is also very brave, eager to take on almost any scientific endeavor. In a delightful contrast to her scientific pursuits, Marta is also a dance teacher. Her passion for dance and her role as an instructor to children provide a unique perspective and creative influence within our team. In her current work, Marta is dedicated to elucidating the evolution of animal regulation.
✉marta.alvarez@ibe.upf-csic.es
Jennah Dharamshi
Postdoctoral researcher; International postdoc grant-Swedish Research Council
Jennah is a true marvel of organization and working In a country known for its passionate chaos, we all wonder at her organizational skills. Jennah takes the lead as our expert in "microbial interactions." Her mission is to unravel whether microbial interactions played a role in the origins of animals. Jennah is also a wellspring of innovation and energy for our team. She's highly active in providing ideas, contributing to our lab meetings, and nurturing a dynamic collaborative environment.
✉ jennah.dharamshi@ebc.uu.se
Xènia Maya Figuerola
Lab technician
✉ xenia.maya@ibe.upf-csic.es
Rubén González Miéns
Postdoctoral researcher
✉ ruben.gonzalez@ibe.upf-csic.es
Rosana Cortés Garrido
Project manager
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ rosana.cortes@ibe.upf-csic.es
Marina Carmona Rivas
PhD student
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ marina.carmona@ibe.upf-csic.es
Alicia Jiménez Valadez
Master student
Lizbeth Cobos Delgado
Lab technician
✆ +34 93.412.81.52
✉ lizbeth.cobos@ibe.upf-csic.es
Guifré Torruella Cortés
Postdoctoral researcher
✉ guifré.torruella@ibe.upf-csic.es
Blai Crespo Selma
Undergraduate student
Cédric Berney
Postdoctoral researcher
✉ cedric.berney@ibe.upf-csic.es
Former members
Eva Markovic (2023-2024). Master student. University of Zagreb.
Koyu Kin (2020-2024). Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently Assistant professor at Juntendo University.
Sanne Willems (2023). Undergraduate student. Maastricht University.
Robin Mueksch (2023). Master student. University of Wien.
Juan Trinidad (2023). Universidad de la República de Uruguay.
Núria Ros i Rocher (2014-2022). PhD and postdoc. Currently postdoc at Thibaut Brunet lab in the Institute Pasteur in Paris (France).
Danielle Mae Matriano (Nov 2021- April 2022)
Aleksandra Kozyczkowska (2016-2022). Lab technician and PhD. Currently at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG).
Jesus Lozano (2019-2021). Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently lecturer at Universitat de Barcelona.
Àlex Gàlvez (2021). Master student. Currently PhD student at BEAP Lab in IBE.
Arnau Galan (2021). Master student.
Paula Crespo (2021). Master student.
Konstantina Mitsi (2016-2021). PhD. Currently postdoctoral researcher at Museo Natural de Ciencias Naturales, Madrid.
Hector Romero (2020-2021). Sabbatical. Universidad de la República, Uruguay.
Daniel Richter (2018-2020). Junior PI. Currently PI (BEAP Lab) at IBE. ERC grantee.
Cristiana Sigona (2019-2020). Lab technician. Currently at BEAP Lab in IBE.
Pedro Charria (2020). Master student. Currently PhD student in de Mendoza’s lab at Queen Mary University of London.
Marina Carmona Rivas. (2019-2020). Undergraduate student, UPF.
Eduard Ocaña Pallarés (2015-2020). PhD. Currently postdoctoral researcher at Toni’s Gabaldón lab at Barcelona Supercomputer Center.
Sebastian Najle (2014-2020). Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently postdoctoral researcher at Sebé-Pedrós lab in the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG).
Omaya Dudin (2017-2020). Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently PI at Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC).
Mami Nomura (2019-2020). Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently Assistant professor at University of Tsukuba (Japan).
Alberto Pérez Posada (2015-2019). Master and PhD. Currently postdoctoral researcher at CABD.
Marta Alvarez (2019). Research Associate. Currently postdoctoral researcher at University of Bristol (UK).
Andrej Ondracka (2016-2019). Postdoctoral Researcher.
Aleix Antón (2019). Master student.
Dani Caravaca (2019). Master student.
Alicia S. Arroyo (2015-2019). PhD. Currently dissemination manager at IDAEA-CSIC.
Cecília Corbella (2018-2019). Lab technician. Currently at Roger’s Vila lab in IBE.
Helena Parra-Acero (2012-2019). Master and PhD. Currently at Eukaryotic Single Cell Genomics Facility, SciLifeLab (Sweden).
David López Escardó (2012-2018). Master and PhD. Currently postdoctoral researcher at Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer (France).
Alfonso Mendaña (2017-2018). Master student
Maria Ferrer Bonet (2016-2018). Research Assistant.
Xavier Grau i Bové (2012-2018). Master, PhD and postdoc. Currently at Sebé-Pedrós lab in the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG).
Maria Rubio Brotons (2016-2017). Lab technician. Currently in ZE clinics.
Matija Harcet (2013-2016). Postdoctoral Researcher. Currently Research Associate at Ruđer Bošković Institute (Croatia).
Cristina Aresté Calero (2015-2016). Postdoctoral Researcher.
Xavi Florenza (2015-2016). Master’s student. Awarded PhD ITN Marie Curie grant in Uppsala (Sweden).
Marta Ledesma (summer 2016). Undergraduate student.
Maria Buendía (summer 2016). Undergraduate student.
Takaaki Kai, (2016). Undergraduate student. Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Japan.
Gema Blasco (Jan2015-Mar2016). Lab technician. Currently in the Genetics Department of the Universitat de Barcelona.
Xènia Pérez Sitjà (Summer 2015). Undergraduate student.
Lourdes Riquelme (2014), màster student, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona.
Ferran Porté (summer 2013), Joves i Ciència from CatalunyaCaixa. Project: Developing genetic tools in ichthyosporeans.
Núria Ros (summer 2012). Undergraduate student. Universitat de Vic. Project: Developing genetic tools in Capsaspora.
Alan Ordoño (summer 2012). Joves i Ciència from CatalunyaCaixa. Project: Developing genetic tools in Capsaspora.
Maria José Mazón (2012). Research associate.
Alexandre Prats (July 2012). Undergraduate student.
Diego Mallo (April-July 2012). Visiting researcher from David Posada’s lab.
Javier del Campo (2011-2013), postdoctoral researcher. Currently Investigador Distinguido CSIC at IBE.
Gemma Prunés (summer 2011), program Joves i Ciència from CatalunyaCaixa.
John Shadwick (2010-2011), graduate researcher. Currently an assistant professor at University of Arkansas.
Lora Lindley (2010-2011), postdoc. Currently at University of Arkansas.
Núria Sánchez-Pons (2009-2013). Postdoc. Development of transgenesis tools in Capsaspora.
Jordi Paps (2009-2010), postdoc. Currently group leader at University of Bristol (UK).
Lluís Medina-Chacón (2009-2010), master student.
Hiroshi Suga (2008-2014). Currently group leader at Prefectural University of Hiroshima (Japan).
Romain Derelle (2008-2009), postdoc. Currently at CRG.
Alex Pérez (2008-2009), lab manager. Currently 454 representative at Roche-Spain.
Alex de Mendoza (2008-2014), PhD and postdoc. Currently Lecturer at School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Queen Mary University of London. ERC grantee.
Guifré Torruella (2008-2014), PhD. Currently postdoctoral researcher at Toni’s Gabaldón lab at Barcelona Supercomputer Center.
Arnau Sebé-Pedrós (2008-2015), PhD and postdoc. Currently Group Leader at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). ERC grantee.
A list of some of our friends and current collaborators
Daniel Richter, Instiut de Biologia Evolutiva (UPF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain. BEAP Lab
Alex de Mendoza, School of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Queen Mary University of London.
Ramon Massana, Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
Hiroshi Suga, Prefectural University of Hiroshima, Japan.
Arnau Sebé-Pedrós, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain.
Cristina Grande, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain.
Claudio Scazzochio
Maureen A. O’ Malley, University of Sidney, Australia.
Jeremy G. Wideman, Arizona State University, USA.
Javier del Campo, Instiut de Biologia Evolutiva (UPF-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain.
Luís Ribas de Pouplana, Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, Spain.
David Bass, Natural History Museum, London, UK.
Nick Brown, University of Cambridge, UK.
Nicole King, UC Berkeley, USA.
Andrew J. Roger, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada.
Franz Lang, Université de Montreal, Canada.
Gertraud Burger, Université de Montreal, Canada.
Stuart Donachie, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA.
Phil Donoghue, University of Bristol, UK.
David Posada, Universidad de Vigo, Spain.
Richard Paley, Cefas, UK.
Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla, Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal, Castellón, Spain.
Crisanto Gutiérrez, Centro de Bioilogía Molecular Severo Ochoa-CSIC, Spain.
Jordi Paps, University of Bristol, UK.
Kevin J. Peterson, Darmouth College, USA.
Colomban de Vargas, Station Biologique de Roscoff, France.
Tom Richards, University of Exeter, UK.
Fernando Rodríguez Pascual, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa-CSIC, Madrid, Spain.
Purificación López-García & David Moreira, CNRS, France.
Antonio Guillén, Proyecto Agua, Logroño, Spain.
Pawel Burkhardt, University of Bergen, Norway.
Joseph (J. P.) Gerdt, Indiana University, USA.
Montserrat Elias and Padhu, Universidad de Múrcia, Spain.
Eric Bapteste, Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, France.
Juan Jose Sanz-Ezquerro, Centro Nacional de Biotecnologia, Madrid, Spain.
Eduard Sabidó, Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain.
Geert Bultynck, KU Leuven, Belgium.
Vikas Trivedi, EMBL-Barcelona, Spain.
Xavier Gomis, Institut de Biologia Molecular de Barcelona-CSIC, Spain.
Josep Sardanyès, CRMatemàtica, Barcelona, Spain.
Tomàs Alarcón, CRMatemàtica, Barcelona, Spain.
Daria Stepanova, Lab Subterráneo Canfranc, Spain.