Alberto URBANEJA

With over 30 years of research in agricultural entomology and plant protection, Alberto Urbaneja has developed a solid research trajectory in sustainable pest management, with a long-standing focus on citrus agroecosystems. His research has contributed to the development of integrated pest management (IPM) programs for citrus in the Mediterranean region, combining ecological, biological, and applied approaches to reduce reliance on pesticides and enhance crop resilience. A cornerstone of his career has been the implementation and optimization of biological control strategies in citrus, including both augmentative and classical biological control programs. His work has contributed to the management of key citrus pests and invasive species, supporting environmentally sound alternatives aligned with EU plant protection policies. More recently, his research has expanded towards understanding and enhancing plant defense mechanisms in citrus, integrating induced resistance, plant–insect interactions, and the use of bioinsecticides as complementary tools within IPM frameworks.

Alberto Urbaneja has authored over 400 scientific publications, including articles, books, and book chapters, with 188 papers published in SCI-indexed journals. He has led 25 of the 45 competitive research projects in which he has participated. His work has been disseminated through more than 350 presentations at national and international conferences, and he has been invited as a keynote speaker at major scientific events. Knowledge transfer is a central pillar of his work, as demonstrated by more than 130 technical talks delivered to growers, industry stakeholders, and extension services, and by 32 research contracts with agricultural companies.

His international engagement includes collaborations and research stays abroad, notably supported by two Fulbright Program fellowships, one hosted by the University of Florida (2022) and the other by the University of California, Riverside (2025). Alberto has played a major role in training the next generation of researchers, supervising 18 PhD theses, primarily in sustainable pest management, two of which received academic awards. He has also mentored postdoctoral researchers, supervised MSc and undergraduate theses, and hosted numerous international visiting scientists, fostering long-term scientific exchange and capacity building. His expertise has led to active participation in scientific committees and evaluation panels at national and international levels, including EFSA, FAO, and multiple research funding agencies across Europe, North America, and Asia.

Alberto has also maintained a long-standing, close relationship with the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC/OILB) through active participation in several working groups over the years, reflecting a strong, sustained engagement with this international scientific network. In addition, Alberto Urbaneja served on the Executive Committee of IOBC-Global from 2008 to 2012, during which he served as Treasurer.