aabad@iata.csic.es

I carried out my PhD thesis entitled "Production of monoclonal antibodies and development of immunoassays for the pesticide Carbaryl" at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. After a six-year post-doctoral period at the same university, working on the development of immunoreagents for organochlorine pesticides, post-harvest fungicides and N-methylcarbamate insecticides, I moved to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) - the largest public R & D institution in Spain. From that point, and after obtaining a permanent position in 2005, I started my own line of research as head of the Food Analytical Immunotechnology Group at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA). The aim of our research group is to develop antibody-based rapid analytical methods for the detection of chemical residues (pesticides, growth regulators, additives, antibiotics), toxins and organic contaminants in food and environmental samples. The mission of the group is to contribute to the implementation of immunochemical methods as useful analytical tools in Food Safety and Quality. Official organisms and companies can take advantage of these rapid methods to monitor xenobiotics and biotoxins to improve the quality and safety of our food supply and reduce consumer exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. I am currently Research Scientist at IATA-CSIC, and over the course of my career I have developed antibodies and immunoanalytical methods to a wide range of chemical contaminants of agri-food and environmental concern.