Irene Sánchez-Andrea, Coordinator of the Environmental Technology group at IE University, and Professor at the School of Science & Technology at IE University, is a microbiologist specializing in the sulfur cycle, extremophiles, and their applications to bioremediation, resource recovery, and clean energy production. She has held research positions at the University of Southern California, Wageningen University, and the Autonomous University of Madrid, and her work has been supported by prestigious programs such as NASA’s Planetary Biology Internship, NWO funding, Horizon Europe, and the Ramón y Cajal Fellowship. Acclaimed for her pioneering studies on acidophilic and anaerobic microorganisms, Irene has more than 70 publications in leading journals, books and patents. Her group bridges fundamental microbiology with applied innovation, advancing sustainable biomining, novel CO₂ and sulfur-based technologies and waste upcycling.
