• In total, the platform recognises the scientific contributions of thirteen researchers from the Universidade da Coruña
• Five women and eight men from the A Coruña institution stand out in the current edition of the ranking in the fields of Computer Science, Medicine, Chemistry, Botany and Agronomy, Psychology, and Microbiology

A Coruña, 28 October 2025.- The academic platform Research.com recognises 13 researchers from the UDC in the current edition of its annual ranking. By areas of knowledge, Tiago M. Fernández Caramés, Amparo Alonso Betanzos, Paula Fraga Lamas and Verónica Bolón Canedo stand out in Computer Science; while Francisco J. Blanco does so in the field of Medicine, and Carlos Platas Iglesias, Christian Kennes, Purificación López Mahía and Miguel A. Maestro in Chemistry. In the field of Botany and Agronomy, Federico Pomar is one of the recognised researchers; in Psychology, the UDC counts Antonio Valle among its most outstanding researchers; and the list is rounded off by Germán Bou, in the field of Microbiology.

Research.com

Research.com compiles a wide range of rankings for the research community across different disciplines. In particular, it offers a global ranking, rankings by specific disciplines, and for ‘leading scientists’.

The classification process involves a detailed analysis of 166,880 researchers from various bibliometric data sources. For the ranking of the best universities, up to 175,585 academics were examined.

University Excellence at UDC

Tiago Fernández Caramés is a permanent researcher at CITIC and Associate Professor in the area of Electronic Technology at UDC, where he obtained his degree in Computer Engineering and PhD in Computer Engineering. Since 2005, he has worked in the Department of Computer Engineering at UDC. His current research lines include various technologies related to IoT/IIoT systems, UAVs, Edge Computing, Extended Reality, as well as other technologies connected to the paradigms of Industry 4.0 and 5.0.

Amparo Alonso is a researcher at CITIC and a Full Professor in the area of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at UDC. Her current research focuses on the development of Scalable Machine Learning models, Responsible and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence, and agent-based modeling for process sustainability, among others.

Paula Fraga is a researcher at CITIC and a lecturer at the University of A Coruña. Since 2009, she has worked with the Electronic Technology and Communications Group (GTEC), part of the Department of Computer Engineering at UDC. She has participated in over 40 research projects funded by regional and national governments, as well as in R&D contracts with private companies such as ADIF, Siemens, Indra Sistemas, and Navantia, analyzing mission-critical scenarios (public safety, defense, and critical infrastructures). Her research focuses on Industry 4.0 technologies, specifically cyber-physical systems, IoT, extended reality, blockchain, and cybersecurity.

Verónica Bolón is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Technologies at UDC and a researcher at CITIC. She is currently working on research topics related to various areas of Artificial Intelligence, especially green algorithms, and she leads the Inditex-UDC Chair on AI in Green Algorithms. She is also strongly committed to promoting scientific and technological vocations among girls, participating in numerous outreach activities and coordinating the A Coruña node of the Inspira STEAM project.

Francisco J. Blanco is a Full Professor of Rheumatology at the University of A Coruña, Head of the Clinical and Translational Rheumatology Section at the University Hospital of A Coruña, and Coordinator of the Rheumatology Research Group at CICA-UDC and the A Coruña Biomedical Research Institute (INIBIC). He specialized in Rheumatology at the 12 de Octubre Hospital in Madrid, was an associate researcher at the University of California–San Diego (La Jolla), and earned his PhD from the University of A Coruña, receiving the Extraordinary Award.

Carlos Platas is a Full Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at the University of A Coruña and coordinator of the Immo-tep group (Molecular Imaging and Therapy). Together with his colleagues, Platas designs molecular systems with potential applications in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic practices. His research lines include the design, synthesis, and characterization of contrast agents and probes, generally used in diagnostic techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Axial Tomography (CAT).

Christian Kennes is a Full Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of A Coruña and a member of the Bioengin group (Environmental Bioengineering and Quality Control), within the Nanoscience and Advanced Materials area of CICA. For years, he has conducted research on biorefinery processes and the revalorization of gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, known for their greenhouse effect. His research also focuses on fermentation processes and the optimization of bioreactors (vessels capable of maintaining a controlled and biologically active environment) for the production of various market-relevant products, such as hydrogen.

Purificación López Mahía is a Full Professor in the area of Analytical Chemistry at UDC and a member of the Applied Analytical Chemistry Research Group (QANAP). Her current research mainly focuses on the characterization of atmospheric aerosols, the assessment of air quality, and its effects on health, with an extensive network of national and international collaborations with industries, public institutions, and technology centers.

Miguel Maestro is a Full Professor of Organic Chemistry at the same university and a member of the Nanotoxgen research group, also within the nanoscience area at CICA. The group’s research focuses on toxicology, characterizing the biological, genetic, and health effects derived from exposure to various compounds, generally nanomaterials, with the aim of preventing side effects or pathologies related to such exposure. One of their research lines focuses on the use of biomarkers to evaluate effects caused by known and emerging pollutants.

Soledad Muniategui is a Full Professor in the area of Analytical Chemistry at UDC and coordinator of the Applied Analytical Chemistry Research Group (QANAP). Her research lines focus on the development of new strategies for rapid analysis, the creation of analytical methodologies, and the assessment of environmental contaminants, both organic and inorganic.

Federico Pomar holds a PhD in Biology and has developed his research in the field of Plant Physiology, mainly focusing on the study of lignification and the role of peroxidases in its synthesis. He has been a researcher at the Biological Mission of Galicia–CSIC and the Agrarian Research Center of Mabegondo–Xunta de Galicia, before permanently joining UDC in 2007. Alongside his research profile, he has devoted part of his career to university management, serving as Deputy Dean of Infrastructure at the Faculty of Sciences and as Research Assistant at UDC.

Antonio Valle is a Full Professor of Evolutionary and Educational Psychology at the University of A Coruña (UDC). He currently coordinates the Educational Psychology Research Group (GIPED) at UDC and has been principal investigator of three projects funded under the National Plan (2013, 2017, and 2021). His main research lines focus on the study of motivational variables, study strategies, homework, and self-regulated learning.

Germán Bou is an Associate Professor in the area of Medicine and Head of Microbiology at the University Hospital Complex of A Coruña (CHUAC). He conducts his research activity in the Microbiology Research Group, linked to the A Coruña Biomedical Research Institute (INIBIC).