Rosa Porcel (Granada, 1976) has a degree in Biological Sciences and a doctorate in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Granada. Most of her research career has been carried out at the CSIC studying plant-microorganism interaction and plant tolerance to drought and salinity. She received the National Research Award in Water Relations, awarded by the Spanish Society of Plant Physiology and has published numerous scientific articles on the symbiotic relationship between plants and beneficial soil fungi.