Head of the laboratory Plant Cell Nucleolus, Proliferation and Microgravity of the Biological Research Center (CIB-CSIC), Madrid (Spain). He works on plant cellular and molecular physiology. Within space research, he focuses on physiological effects of altered gravity in order to enable plant culture for human space exploration. He conducted pioneering European experiments in ISS and has recently led a joint NASA-ESA project in ISS on the effects of light and gravity on plant development, which has received the «NASA Group Achievement Award». He has published more than 120 papers and book chapters and acted as adviser to several international research organizations. He has received the European Low Gravity Research Association (ELGRA) Medal