I’m a freelance science journalist based in Barcelona, Spain. I specialize in astronomy, planetary sciences, geoscience, and the environment, contributing to international publications like Sky & Telescope, Eos, and Science News.
 
I’m doing my residency at the Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG), a research center located on the outskirts of Barcelona, dedicated to plant and animal genetics. This center conducts both basic and applied research, focusing on genetic traits that are useful for agriculture and food production.
 
I applied for this residency looking to learn about genetic research, and advanced techniques such as gene editing, and its potential use to adapt to climate change and its effects on food production. My previous work has often explored the detrimental effects of climate change on agriculture and food production, increasingly affected by droughts, heat waves, and other extreme events. However, I knew little about the potential solutions researchers are exploring to tackle these challenges.
 
At least two research groups at CRAG are dealing with topics that could have applications towards adapting to climate change. One group is working to increase the drought resistance of certain crops, while another is exploring ways to enhance plant yield and photosynthetic efficiency. These efforts aim to increase crop production without expanding cultivated areas.
 
Other research groups at CRAG focus on other topics with economic and environmental impact. These include extending the shelf life of fruits and vegetables to reduce food waste, developing pest-resistant species to minimize pesticide use, and collaborating with the industry to identify plants with desirable traits for breeding.