We are an international mix of chemists, biotechnologists, engineers and clinical researchers working across URV, ISGlobal and beyond. Our team brings together people from Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa, with backgrounds ranging from molecular recognition and nanomaterials to electrochemistry, epidemiology and clinical diagnostics. We spend a lot of time thinking about lateral-flow strips, aptamers, DNA, electrodes and biomarkers — but fortunately not all of our conversations are about biosensors.
Active Members
Group Leader
Claudio Parolo
Group Leader
Universitat Rovira i Virgili · ISGlobal
Molecular recognition, point-of-care diagnostics, biosensor engineering and clinical translation.
Beyond the lab: One Piece may or may not be responsible for the ongoing sailor-or-pirate-wannabe phase. Football and chess are still part of the picture, even if both are getting a little rusty. He also likes discovering places through their food — trying local dishes and occasionally attempting to recreate them at home.
Full CV · ORCID · Google Scholar
Postdoctoral & Senior Researchers
Lourdes Rivas-Torcates
Senior Researcher
ISGlobal
Lateral-flow assays, biosensors and point-of-care diagnostics, with current work focused on Strongyloidiasis and dengue.
Beyond the lab: From lateral-flow membranes to bookbinding, paper is a recurring theme in her life, reflecting her love of making things by hand.
Amadeo Sena-Torralba
MSCA Fellow
ISGlobal
Molecular recognition, point-of-care diagnostics, biosensor engineering and clinical translation.
Beyond the lab: Padel and an undeniable soft spot for dachshunds.
Qiuyue Yang
Postdoctoral Researcher
ISGlobal
Electrochemical biosensors and aptamer-based sensing for point-of-care molecular diagnostics.
Beyond the lab: Good food, games, building things and exploring somewhere new.
Enric Calucho-Palma
Postdoctoral Researcher
Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Electrochemical biosensing and paper-based diagnostic technologies.
Beyond the lab: Electrochemical biosensing and paper-based diagnostic technologies.
PhD Students
Julia Pedreira-Rincón
PhD Student
ISGlobal
Malaria diagnosis and severity assessment using lateral-flow assays, quantitative biomarkers and digital readout.
Co-supervised with: Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer
Beyond research: Communications Coordinator, Women in Global Health Spain.
Maria Cambra-Pellejà
Industrial PhD Student
ISGlobal · GraphenicaLab
Epitope mapping and electrochemical biosensors for the serological diagnosis of Strongyloidiasis.
Co-supervised with: Javier Gandasegui and Miguel Vilaplana
Ana Chopo-Pizarro
PhD Student
ISGlobal
Molecular recognition, point-of-care diagnostics, biosensor engineering and clinical translation.
Co-supervised with: Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer
Beyond the lab: Hiking and mountain routes.
Elisenda Santaló-Ferrer
PhD Student
Universitat Rovira i Virgili
Nanomaterial-based immunoassays and signal-engineering strategies for diagnostic applications.
Co-supervised with: Enric Calucho
Maryam Shafizade
PhD Student
Universitat Rovira i Virgili · ISGlobal
DNA-scaffold-based sensing and programmable molecular recognition for diagnostic applications.
Co-supervised with: Enric Calucho
Beyond the lab: Fitness
Giuseppe Lamberti
Visiting PhD Student
Universitat Rovira i Virgili · Università del Salento
Polymer-based materials and aptamer-enabled electrochemical biosensors.
Beyond the lab: Volleyball by default, beach volleyball whenever the weather gives him an excuse.
Alessandro Colombo
Visiting PhD Student
Universitat Rovira i Virgili · Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca
Paper-based biosensors for bacterial detection.
Beyond the lab: Football and finance.
Master & Undergraduate Students
Kenyssony Varela
Master Student
Universitat Rovira i Virgili · ISGlobal
Lateral-flow assays for malaria severity assessment.
Beyond the lab: Swimming and music.
Emily Grace Jajeh
Visiting Student
Stanford · ISGlobal
NIE antigen immunogenicity studies for the serological diagnosis of Strongyloidiasis.
Beyond the lab: Crocheting and hiking.
Zeleste Monell de Miguel
Master Student
Universitat Rovira i Virgili · ISGlobal
Molecular recognition, point-of-care diagnostics, biosensor engineering and clinical translation.
Co-supervised with: Climent Casals
Former Members & Alumni
Javiera Burgos-Avila
Former Master’s Student
Academic Year 2024–2025
ISGlobal
DNA-based electrochemical sensors for molecular diagnostics.
Leire Balerdi-Sarasola
Former PhD Student
PhD defended December 2024
ISGlobal
Medical doctor and researcher focused on imported malaria management, including clinical severity assessment and biomarker-based patient stratification.
Co-supervised with: Daniel Camprubí-Ferrer
Celia Fuentes-Chust
Former PhD Student
PhD defended November 2024
ICN2
DNA- and nanoparticle-based approaches for microbiome research and biosensing.
Co-supervised with: Arben Merkoçi and Andrew Piper