Prof. Dr. Miguel Motas Guzmán | Toxicología Ambiental | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Miguel Motas Guzmán is a Senior Lecturer in Toxicology at the University of Murcia, Spain, with over two decades of academic, research, and leadership experience. A highly accomplished toxicologist, he has focused on environmental and wildlife toxicology, ecotoxicology, and human biomonitoring. His prolific scientific output includes 55+ publications, many in Q1 journals, 9 book chapters, and 135 conference contributions. Dr. Motas has also supervised six PhD theses and multiple graduate projects. He played a key role in national and international research initiatives, including the EU HBM4EU project and several Antarctic expeditions studying pollutants in penguins. He has served in leadership roles such as Regional Minister for Employment, Research and Universities in Murcia and Head of Toxicology at the Carlos III Institute of Health. Widely recognized in academia and public institutions, he is also an active science communicator, expert evaluator, and registered toxicologist with extensive industrial collaborations.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Miguel Motas Guzmán completed his entire higher education at the University of Murcia, Spain. He earned his undergraduate (Licensed) degree in 1996, followed by a Graduate degree in 1998, and a PhD in 1999—awarded with the Extraordinary Doctorate Prize. His early academic achievements were supported by two doctoral fellowships, and he undertook pre-doctoral research stays at four different universities, contributing to his strong foundation in environmental and toxicological sciences. His doctoral research emphasized toxicological risk assessment and laid the groundwork for his lifelong dedication to environmental health. His academic path demonstrates consistent excellence and early specialization in toxicology, culminating in his appointment as Lecturer in 2000 and later as Senior Lecturer in 2003. His educational background is marked by scholarly distinction and a commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, bridging toxicology, environmental sciences, veterinary studies, and public health in both academic and applied settings.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Motas has over 20 years of experience in toxicology research, academic teaching, and scientific leadership. Appointed Senior Lecturer in 2003 at the University of Murcia, he is affiliated with the Socio-Health Sciences Department of the Veterinary School. His work spans biomonitoring, ecotoxicology, environmental risk assessment, and pollutant biomagnification in both terrestrial and marine wildlife. He led toxicological research at Spain’s National Center for Environmental Health (ISCIII, 2017–2019) and later served as Regional Minister for Employment, Research, and Universities in Murcia (2019–2021), overseeing science policy and innovation strategies. Dr. Motas has participated in over 25 R&D projects and signed 22 industrial contracts. As a principal or senior researcher, he has collaborated with institutions like CSIC, ISCIII, and several European and Latin American universities. He also serves on scientific committees, including EUniWell, and has been invited to speak at over 50 conferences, showcasing his expertise across scientific, regulatory, and academic domains.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Miguel Motas Guzmán’s distinguished career has been recognized through numerous awards and appointments. He received the Extraordinary Prize for his degree and doctoral thesis. One of the PhDs he supervised also earned the Extraordinary Doctorate Award as a European thesis, while another won the Royal Academy of Medicine and Surgery of Murcia Prize. He has achieved four research six-year terms (sexennials) and holds an h-index of 18, with over 700 citations and 21 Q1 publications. Dr. Motas was awarded the Animal Health and Veterinary Prize in Spain for sustainability and environment, reflecting his contribution to wildlife toxicology. He is a full member of the Academy of Veterinary Sciences of the Region of Murcia, a registered toxicologist (AETOX), and a technical expert on biomonitoring in the Interministerial Commission for Human Biomonitoring (CIBMH). His continued involvement in national and international scientific advisory bodies affirms his stature in environmental health and toxicology.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Motas’s research is centered on environmental toxicology, ecotoxicology, and human biomonitoring. He investigates pollutant exposure in wildlife—especially birds and marine organisms—as sentinels of ecosystem health. His Antarctic studies of penguins as bioindicators of contamination (mercury, POPs, heavy metals, endocrine disruptors) are internationally recognized. He has also examined trace elements in human breast milk, urban air emissions, and pesticide residues in food, contributing significantly to public health and risk assessment. His methodological approaches include the use of experimental animals, cell cultures, and biomonitoring systems in both terrestrial and marine environments. He actively participates in European projects such as HBM4EU, exploring human exposure to emerging contaminants. His work links academic research with applied toxicology, offering practical insights into environmental policies and regulations. Dr. Motas is also committed to dissemination and education, mentoring young researchers and collaborating with industries on risk evaluations, environmental impact, and toxicovigilance strategies.

✅ Conclusion