THE EDGE LAB Research Group, led by Jaime Martinez Urtaza, joins the IBB
The Professor of Genetics will strengthen the institute's research into the impact of climate change on the evolution and dispersal of human pathogens
The Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (IBB) is welcoming Dr. Jaime Martínez-Urtaza, Professor in the Department of Genetics and Microbiology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), to its research team. The EDGE LAB research group (Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics in Genomic Epidemiology), led by the UAB researcher, will strengthen the Genomics in Evolution and Disease program.
Research in genomic epidemiology and global health
The EDGE LAB research group focuses its activity on understanding the processes that drive the emergence, evolution, and spread of human pathogens within the context of environmental and global change.
The group's activities encompass several cutting-edge lines of research:
• Pathogen and population genomics: Study of microorganism transmission, adaptation, evolution, and antimicrobial resistance.
• Environmental metagenomics and the One Health approach: Analysis of the impact of ecological changes and human activity on the transmission of zoonotic diseases.
• Biogeography and global dispersal: Research into the dynamics and spread of pathogens and bacteriophages on oceanic and global scales.
• Artificial Intelligence and Remote Sensing: Development of prediction tools based on climate, genomic, and AI data to anticipate global epidemic risks.
A track record of international excellence
Dr. Jaime Martínez Urtaza (ORCID 0000-0001-6219-0418) has an extensive research background in molecular epidemiology, environmental genomics, and the response of bacteria, particularly of the genus Vibrio, to temperature changes and global warming. His work is reflected in numerous high-impact international publications and the coordination of competitive research projects. In addition to his scientific and teaching activities, Dr. Martínez Urtaza has become a regular expert voice in the media, analyzing and communicating how global warming and environmental crises influence the emergence of new infectious diseases and public health challenges.
With this appointment, the IBB reinforces its commitment to research excellence and strengthens scientific synergies within the UAB campus to address major global public health challenges.