Biologist, Researcher, and Lecturer

Carlos Garbisu has a strong scientific vocation, both in his researcher side, focused on understanding the complex and exciting world of microbes, and on his teaching and dissemination side. For more than 10 years, he has been Head of the Natural Resources Conservation Department of NEIKER – Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, where he coordinates the Soil Microbial Ecology Group. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of the Basque Country / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (1984) and a Master of Science from the Imperial College of Science and Technology (London, 1987). Subsequently, he obtained his PhD at King’s College London (London, 1992). He made his postdoctoral studies at the Department of Plant Biology at the University of California at Berkeley (1993-1995).  

His scientific career focused on the field of environmental biotechnology, mainly in relation to the use of microorganisms (bioremediation) and plants (phytoremediation) for the recovery of contaminated soils. Also, he focusees on the use of edaphic microbial communities as biological indicators of the impact of agricultural practices and pollution on soil health.  

At this time, he spends a considerable part of his research on the study of the emergence and dissemination of resistance to antibiotics in the agricultural environment. Recently, he has been recognized by the Basque Government for the research work and the scientific-technological merit developed throughout his professional career.