Dr. Álvaro López Zaplana | Plant Biotechnology | Young Scientist Award

R+D Manager at 3A BIOTECH,S.L, Spain

Álvaro López Zaplana is a Spanish molecular biologist and biotechnologist specializing in plant and industrial biotechnology. He earned his Biotechnology degree (2013–2017), Master’s in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2017–2018), and PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (2018–2022, summa cum laude with international mention) from the University of Murcia, with part of his doctoral research conducted at the Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and Technology.

Profile:

• Scopus
• Orcid
• Google Scholar 

🎓 Academic Background:

• 🎓 Bachelor’s in Biotechnology – University of Murcia (2017)

• 🧠 Master’s in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – IMIB (2018)

• 🎓 PhD in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – University of Murcia & CEBAS-CSIC (2022)

• 📚 Pursuing Double Master’s: Project Management & MBA – ENEB (2025)

🧪 Research Focus:

Álvaro’s expertise centers on aquaporins, transcriptomics, and fermentation bioprocesses. He has contributed to 5 research projects (led 3), authored 12+ scientific articles, and collaborated across Europe, including Louvain Institute of Biomolecular Science and IBMCP-CSIC.

💼 Current Roles:

• 🧬 R&D Manager – 3A Biotech

• 🎓 External Collaborator & Thesis Supervisor – International University of Valencia (VIU)

• ✍️ Guest Editor – MDPI (Journal: Agriculture)

🧑‍🏫 Teaching & Mentorship:

He has supervised 9 Master’s theses in bioinformatics, neurobiology, pharmacology, and omics, actively mentoring students in academic and lab settings since 2018.

📊 Entrepreneurial Spirit:

Beyond science, Álvaro has a strong business inclination:

• 🏆 Winner of 5 university innovation awards (2020–2022)

• 💡 Trained in entrepreneurship, leadership & finance

• 🧠 Courses in cardiogenetics, nutrition, medical care, and digital marketing

🌍 Languages & Skills

• 🇬🇧 English (B2), 🇫🇷 French (A2)

• 💻 Bioinformatics, structural modeling, molecular diagnostics

🔬 H-Index: 8 (Google Scholar, 2024)

• Published in journals like Plant Physiology & Biochemistry, Environmental and Experimental Botany, and Scientific Reports

📊 Citation Metrics (as per Google Scholar):

• Total Citations: 298

• Citations Since 2020: 296

• h-index: 8

• h-index Since 2020: 8

• i10-index: 8

• i10-index Since 2020: 8

Publication Top Notes:

1. Interrelations of Nutrient and Water Transporters in Plants Under Abiotic Stress
   G. Barzana, J.J. Rios, A. Lopez‐Zaplana, J. Nicolas‐Espinosa, …
   Physiologia Plantarum, 171(4), 595–619, 2021.
   Citations: 71

2. Confronting Secondary Metabolites With Water Uptake and Transport in Plants Under Abiotic Stress
   J. Nicolas-Espinosa, P. Garcia-Ibañez, A. Lopez-Zaplana, L. Yepes-Molina, …
   International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), 2826, 2023.
   Citations: 51

3. Discerning the Mechanism of the Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Effect on Root Cell Water and Nutrient Transport
   M.C. Martinez-Ballesta, N. Chelbi, A. Lopez-Zaplana, M. Carvajal
   Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 146, 23–30, 2020.
   Citations: 49

4. Relationships Between Aquaporins Gene Expression and Nutrient Concentrations in Melon Plants (Cucumis melo L.) During Typical Abiotic Stresses
   A. Lopez-Zaplana, N. Martinez-Garcia, M. Carvajal, G. Bárzana
   Environmental and Experimental Botany, 195, 104759, 2022.
   Citations: 31

5. Foliar Mineral Treatments for the Reduction of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Cracking
   A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, A. Agudelo, M. Carvajal
   Agronomy, 10(11), 1815, 2020.
   Citations: 27

6. Genome-Wide Analysis of the Aquaporin Genes in Melon (Cucumis melo L.)
   A. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolas-Espinosa, M. Carvajal, G. Bárzana
   Scientific Reports, 10(1), 22240, 2020.
   Citations: 25

7. Foliar Application of Boron Nanoencapsulated in Almond Trees Allows B Movement Within Tree and Implements Water Uptake and Transport Involving Aquaporins
   J.J. Rios, A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, A. Martinez-Alonso, M. Carvajal
   Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 752648, 2021.
   Citations: 17

8. Aquaporins Involvement in the Regulation of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Cracking Under Different Nutrient (Ca, B and Zn) Treatments
   A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, L. Ding, F. Chaumont, M. Carvajal
   Environmental and Experimental Botany, 201, 104981, 2022.
   Citations: 15

9. Water Relations After Ca, B and Si Application Determine Fruit Physical Quality in Relation to Aquaporins in Prunus
   F. Quirante-Moya, A. Martinez-Alonso, A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, …
   Scientia Horticulturae, 293, 110718, 2022.
   Citations: 7

10. Gut Microbiota: An Immersion in Dysbiosis, Associated Pathologies, and Probiotics
    V. Origüela, A. Lopez-Zaplana
    Microorganisms, 13(5), 1084, 2025.
    Citations: 2

11. Deciphering Arabidopsis Aquaporin Networks: Comparative Analysis of the STRING and BioGRID Interactomes
    A. Lopez-Zaplana
    International Journal of Plant Biology, 16(1), 28, 2025.
    Citations: 1

12. Exploring the Mechanism of Blindness Physiopathy in Brassica oleracea var. italica L. by Comprehensive Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analysis
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolas-Espinosa, L. Albaladejo-Marico, M. Carvajal
    Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, 206, 108304, 2024.
    Citations: 1

13. Relationship Between Aquaporins Expression and B Concentration for Conferring Cold Stress Tolerance in Broccoli Cultivars
    A. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolas-Espinosa, M. Carvajal, G. Bárzana
    Environmental and Experimental Botany, 187, 104466, 2021.
    Citations: 1

14. The Impact of Semi‐Transparent Solar Panels on Tomato and Broccoli Growth
    A. Lopez‐Zaplana, L. Yepes‐Molina, P. Garcia‐Ibañez, …
    Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research, 5(5), 2300175, 2024.

15. Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Aquaporins as Molecular Markers of Resistance to Abiotic Stresses and Physiopathies
    Á. Lopez-Zaplana
    Proyecto de Investigación, 2022.

16. Interrelations of Nutrient and Water Transporters in Plants Under Abiotic Stress (Book Chapter or Report)
    G. Bárzana González, J.J. Ríos Ruiz, Á. Lopez-Zaplana, J. Nicolás Espinosa, …
    John Wiley & Sons, 2021.

17. Aquaporins Involvement in the Regulation of Melon (Cucumis melo L.) Fruit Cracking Under Different Nutrient (Ca, B and Zn) Treatments (Preprint)
    M. Carvajal, A. Lopez-Zaplana, G. Bárzana, L. Ding, F. Chaumont
    Available at SSRN: 4088643