Born in Vinaròs (1961). Professor of Genetics at the School of Biological Sciences. He got a degree in Biological Sciences (Biochemistry) and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Valencia, with an extraordinary doctorate award.
His scientific career began as a predoctoral fellow of the Generalitat Valenciana at the University of Valencia. He did a two-year postdoctoral stay in the laboratory of Prof. Francisco J. Ayala from the University of California at Irvine (USA), and short stays as a visiting professor at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark, and at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. He was a researcher for 14 years at the “Cavanilles” Institute for Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, of the University of Valencia, and in the last eight years, he has been a researcher in the Systems Biology of yeasts of biotechnological interest Group at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), CSIC, through an agreement between  CSIC and the University of Valencia.
During his research career, he has worked in different lines of research such as the molecular evolution of Drosophila, the evolution of RNA viruses, and the role of chaperonins in bacterial endosymbiosis. In recent years, his research work has focused on the study, through comparative genomics and the analysis of 'omic' data, of the molecular mechanisms involved in the generation of genetic innovations that explain the adaptation of yeasts of the genus Saccharomyces in fermentative environments, responsible for their properties of biotechnological interest.
He has participated in 26 competitive research projects, of which 9 as principal investigator. He is the author of more than one hundred articles in international journals indexed in the Science Citation Index. He has mentored 12 doctoral theses, supervised 3 postdoctoral researchers, and has been recognized for five six-year years periods of research.
His teaching activity currently focuses on subjects in the degrees in Biology and Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, in addition to the master's degree in R&D in Biotechnology and Biomedicine. He participated in the creation of the Master's Degree in Bioinformatics, being a member of its academic coordination committee for more than five years. He has six recognized five-year teaching periods. He was a member of the Senate of the University of Valencia and the faculty board of the School of Biological Sciences, during different periods.[Biography, English version]

[Biography, english version]

[Biography, english version]

As a university student (Universitat de València, UV), I belonged to the research team awarded with the prize “Certamen de Jóvenes Investigadores” with a proposal about polymorphisms associated with alcoholism (1993). I got my degree in Biology (1993) and my dissertation about Usher syndrome” (1998) was awarded as the best doctoral thesis by ONCE - UV. With this study, I initiated my career on genetics of rare Mendelian diseases. The main scientific contributions were the characterization of genetic bases of Usher syndrome in clinical series and the estimate of prevalence in Spain. My postdoctoral period started in the Unit of Congenital Bleeding Disorders at the University Hospital La Fe (1998-2003), where I got a fellowship from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). I collaborated on research lines focused on genetics of hemophilia A and B, coagulation FVII deficiency and von Willebrand disease as a postdoctoral researcher. I participated in the genetic study of cohorts of Spanish patients with several coagulopathies. In 2003, I moved to the Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia – CSIC where I collaborated with open research lines focused on genetics of ataxias, peripheral neuropathies and movement disorders. I described for the first time the genetic bases of an ultrare disease: uroconase deficiency. I started as a group leader with my Miguel Servet I (MSI, 2009-15), and with the first grants, I initiated my own research lines. In 2014, I was evaluated and obtained the MSII contract as PI (2015-18). My group provided new data to better understand the disease mechanism of Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4C (CMT4C); to characterize genetics associated with CMT and generate genetic tools for diagnosis; to discover junctophilin as a genetic modifier of CMT2K; and to establish MORC2 as a new gene involved in CMT2Z. I initiated new lines focused on the molecular bases and biomarkers for NBIA (Neurodegeneration with Brain Iron Accumulation) and Wilson’s disease (WD). I participated in the development of a new clinical scale for NBIA patients as well as the description of the genetic bases. My group reported the genetics of clinical series of WD and detected a miRNA profile as biomarkers (patent).

During these years as MS researcher and group leader, I got projects funded by public or private institutions such as ISCIII, IRDiRC, CNAG, Foundation La Marató TV3, Foundation Ramón Areces, Foundation Per Amor a l'Art, AFM-Téléthon and EASIGenomics. Recently, I was awarded with my sixth national public project funded by the ISCIII (PI24-00017).

Technological development activities, in 2012, I moved my MSI contract to the Hospital U. La Fe where I created the Neurogenetics Platform, a service in which we offered genetic analysis of rare hereditary neuropathies. In 2013, I moved to the CIPF where, do I ran my own group and also worked in the Service of Genomics and Translational Genetics (SGGT), in which I carried out genetic analysis of rare neuropathies. In 2016, we generated a gene panel for hereditary peripheral neuropathies that we traded in the service. I was the SGGT’s director from 2015 until its closing in 2021.

In 2024, I obtained a teaching position in the Genetics Department of the University of Valencia where I currently carry out my teaching and research activities.

I work close with PAOs (patient advocacy organizations): (1) I belong to the scientific board of the Spanish PAOs on Wilson disease (AEFE Wilson) and ataxias (FEDAES), and I usually collaborate in meetings with others (ADIBI, ASVAH). (2) I am the chair-woman of AITER (consortium with 15 institutions for the Translational Research in Rare Diseases in Valencia). (3) I organize since 2016, the National Conference of Female Researchers in Rare Diseases, which binds science, women and rare diseases, and aims to bring science about rare diseases made by women closer to citizens.

Dr. García-Murria is a specialist in protein biochemistry with extensive interdisciplinary experience in biochemistry, molecular biology, proteomics, cell biology, and microbiology. She completed her doctoral thesis in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Valencia, during which she conducted two research stays at the Uppsala Biomedical Center of Uppsala University. Subsequently, she held a four-year postdoctoral position in the Proteomics Service at the Prince Felipe Research Center of Valencia. Upon returning to the University of Valencia, she initially worked in the area of Plant Molecular Biology and eventually joined the Membrane Proteins Laboratory in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She currently conducts her research activities focusing on the biogenesis, insertion, folding, and assembly of membrane proteins in the lipid membrane, as well as the role of transmembrane segments of human or viral proteins in apoptotic processes.

In the academic field, has been involved in university teaching since her thesis. She achieved the highest rating of excellence, scoring (200/200), in both the teaching quality evaluations as university professor, conducted from (2002-2018) and (2019-2023) by the National Agency for Evaluation and Acreditation (ANECA). Every year, she participates in several courses to improve her professional skills and teaching abilities. Since 2016, she has participated in the Motivem ideas competition, aimed at enhancing student employability through the motivating action of the teaching staff. Additionally, she is the president of the Biotechnology Undergraduate Thesis Committee and currently serves as the Secretary of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at the University of Valencia.

I have a degree in Chemistry specialising in Biochemistry from the Universitat de València (UV, 1994). I spent 5 months in the Goerlaeus laboratories of the University of Leiden (Netherlands). After graduating, I joined the Department of Genetics of the UV, where I did my doctoral thesis with an FPI Scholarship from the Generalitat Valenciana, obtaining my doctorate in 1999. During that period, I made a short stay (1996) at the Institute of Biotechnology of Cuernavaca (Mexico). I have done postdoctoral stays in different centers of recognized prestige, IATA (CSIC) (1999). Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology (UV) (1999-2002) and EMBL (Grenoble, France, 2002-2004), with a Specialization Scholarship in International Organizations. Later I joined the Department of Genetics of the UV, with a postdoctoral fellowship Carmen and Severo Ochoa (2007-2009) and from 2009 to 2012 with a contract as a Senior Research Technician. In 2012 I competed and obtained a position as Associate Professor Dr and in 2017 as University Professor.

TEACHING ACTIVITY: Since 1996 I have taught in 21 different subjects, covering undergraduate or undergraduate students from second to master's degree. I have taught these classes in 2 degrees (Biology and Chemistry) and in 6 different degrees: Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences (· BCB, 5), Biotechnology (BT, 5), Biology (Biol, 1), Double Degree Law-Criminology and Degree in Criminology (DC or C, 4) and in two master's degrees: Master in Molecular, Cellular and Genetic Biology (1) and Master in Bioinformatics (2).  I am currently coordinator of external internships of students in companies for the Degree in Biotechnology and I have the Quality Mention as a tutor of these practices. Since March 2018 I am Vice-Dean of Innovation and Quality of the Faculty of Biology. I have directed 13 final degree projects in the degrees of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology and Criminology, 6 Master's Final Projects, and the Doctoral Thesis of Dr. López-Galiano: Identification of miRNAs with predictive value as biomarkers of biotic and abiotic stress in plants of agronomic interest. 26.03.2021 and I am co-directing another. I have recognized three five-year teaching periods

EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION ACTIVITIES: Since 2018 I have participated in 12 teaching innovation projects with 6 participations in congresses or educational days

RESEARCH CAREER: In my research career I have mainly addressed the field of pathogen-host interactions from a multitude of approaches, both in terms of the range of organisms (bacteria-insects, phages-bacteria, insects-plants, viruses-humans) and the type of approach, from purely molecular and basic research (phage structures, protein-protein interactions or biochemical characterization of the mode of action of toxins) to those of clinical or field application.  I have recognized three six-year periods of research. In 2014, I participated in the Potato Beetle genome annotation project, within the i5k initiative: genome sequencing of 5000 arthropods.

TRANSFER ACTIVITY: I am co-inventor of two patents: P0201030569- Increase in the expression of recombinant sequences in eukaryotes and ES27176855- Peptide and pharmaceutical compositions of the same for use as an antimicrobial and in the treatment of cancer. I have participated in the Innosalud (2020) and Innotransfer (2020,  2021) programs  .

PEER REVIEW AND EVALUATION ACTIVITIES Since 2009 I have participated as a reviewer in: Letters in  Applied Microbiology, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Cells, Plant Cell Reports, IJMS, BAOJ Biotechnology ... I participate as an external Evaluator for the National Agency for Evaluation and Foresight (ANEP) since 2015, for the Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness (IVACE) since 2019 (21 business projects evaluated) and for the UV-Ministry of Universities, for the evaluation of the University Requalification System program (2021).

DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES. Member of the Organizing Committee of Climathon-Burjassot 2019 (Climate Kick-UV), and Hackaton AgrotecUV (2021). Member of the organizing committee and the scientific congress  (Innocampus-Explora project) Innocovid19 (2020) and Innofuturo (2021 ).

[Biography, english version]

He studied Biology and Philosophy simultaneously at the University of Valencia, obtaining his Ph.D. in Biology in 1983 and Philosophy (Extraordinary Award) in 1988. He did his postdoctoral stay in 1985-1986 with a Fulbright grant at the University of California at Davis (USA). He had been visiting professor at the University of California at Irvine (USA) in 1988 and 1994, and in 2019 professor on a sabbatical stay with a Fulbright grant at Harvard University. In 1986 he created the Evolutionary Genetics group in the Dept. of Genetics at the University of Valencia, where he has been a professor since 1993. He was the director of this Dept. from 1995 to 1998. He has been the promoter of the Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology of the University of Valencia and its director from its creation in 1998 until 2010. He has also been a promoter of the Astrobiology Center (INTA-CSIC) and the Centro Superior de Investigación en Salud Pública de la Conselleria de Sanidad del Gobierno Valenciano (CSISP), of which he was its director in 2012. The CSISP was integrated into the Valencian Foundation for Promoting Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community, FISABIO. He was the FISABIO-Public Health division's scientific director from 2013 until July 2014. Since August 2014, he has directed, within FISABIO, the FISABIO Chair for the Promotion of Biomedical Research, an Institutional Chair of the University of Valencia.

He is the author of about 600 publications, including scientific articles, reviews, book chapters, and books on Genetics, Evolution, and Philosophy (20,700 citations, h-index of 74). He has participated in several patents and created a spin-off company. Experimental evolution of viruses and genomics and metagenomics of bacteria and microbial communities represent the research areas where he has made the most significant scientific contributions. He introduced Genomics in Spain, and his group sequenced the first genome of a bacterium, entirely carried out in Spain. He has done extensive work in disseminating and reflecting on science and has published several books on evolutionary theory and the scope of evolutionary thought. He currently focuses his research on symbiosis, mainly studying the human microbiome and other organisms from an evolutionary, systems biology, and synthetic biology perspective. He has supervised 35 doctoral theses, and many national and foreign scientists have been trained in his research group. He has received competitive funding from regional, national, European, and international agencies and has been the principal investigator of national, European, and international projects.

He has given lectures and courses in European countries, Latin America, the United States, and Asia. He has formed or is a member of commissions of research evaluation agencies in Spain and its autonomous communities, different European and Latin American countries, and the European Union.

He is a member of several scientific societies, founder of the European Society of Evolutionary Biology, the Spanish Society of Virology, and the Spanish Society of Evolutionary Biology, of which he has been its president. He is editor-in-chief, associate editor, or editorial board member of several scientific and philosophical journals.

He has received the following distinctions: the City of Barcelona Award for Scientific Research (1996), "Fellow" of the "American Association for the Advance of Science" (1998), the Diario Médico Award (2006), Diploma of the President of the Valencian Government for Excellence in Biomedical Research (2010), National Genetics Award (2012), Lilly Award in Preclinical Biomedical Research (2013), Mexico Award for Science and Technology (2015), Dr. Honoris Causa by the Menéndez Pelayo International University (2016), Advisor to the Gadea Foundation (2017), Maestro Andrés Laguna Award (2019), Alberto Sols Award for Research in Health Sciences (2022).

[Biography, english version]