Our mission is clear: To convert microbial diversity into solutions for the industry.

Explore the success stories shaping our future · Explore the success stories shaping our future · Explore the success stories shaping our future · Explore the success stories shaping our future ·

Meet the talented individuals at DARWIN who will deliver exceptional work and outstanding results for you.

Meet the team

Meet the talented individuals at DARWIN who will deliver exceptional work and outstanding results for you.

All Leadership Team: Visionary Voyages Legal, Science and Public Funding Marketing & Strategy: Strategy Wizards Health & Nutrition: Wellbeing Warriors Biosolutions: Bio Revolutionaries Genomics: DNA Detectives Strains Collection & Production Business Growth & Strategy

Guiding Darwin's journey to new heights.

Exploring the unknown and expanding the frontiers of knowledge

Crafting strategies and spreading the magic of our innovations.

Championing health with science and nutrition.

Transforming nature's secrets into sustainable solutions.

Unlocking the mysteries of DNA and beyond.

Culture Custodians. Curating and characterizing our microbial treasures

Turning microbial diversity into global market impact.

Manuel Porcar, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

The creativity made science.

PhD in Biological Sciences and senior researcher at I2SysBio, University of Valencia. Former member of the Spanish Comission for Biosafety and Institute Pasteur. Author of >100 research publications and patents.

Cristina Vilanova, PhD

Chief Operations Officer

Have a problem? She will solve it.

PhD in Biotechnology. Expert in bioprospecting approaches integrating multi-omic technologies, and highly experienced in business management. Author of >30 research publications and patents.

María José Palencia

Legal Department Director

A lawyer in a world of microbiologists

Lawyer. Expert in IP protection. Broad experience in negotiation, international trading and industrial protection in the biotechnology field.

Javier Pascual, PhD

Scientific Director

A living encyclopedia of microbial ecology

PhD in Biological Sciences. Expert in microbial taxonomy and former member of the CECT and DSMZ microbial culture collection staff. Author of > 50 research publications.

Kristie Tanner, PhD, MBA

Head of Public Funding

The yogi scientist

PhD in Biotechnology and MBA specialized in Project Management. Expert in public funding (EU funds; national and regional funds in Spain) and quality certifications.

Daniel Ramón Calvo

Marketing & Strategy Director

Marketing maestro with a scientific twist

With over 13 years of international experience in the sector. Expert in the development and promotion of science-based products, brands, and strategies.

Nimra Saeed Wajib

Head of Communications & Branding

Pharmacist who loves to play with social media

Expert in Corporate Communication with a strong foundation in Pharmacy. Highly skilled in orchestrating effective communication strategies and managing corporate protocols.

Carmen Sanz López

Head of Health & Nutrition

Loves exotic food and the microbes on them

MSc in Biotechnology and Biomedicine. Highly experienced in food science, applied microbiology, QPS regulation and product development.

Laura Duval Pinto

Health & Nutrition Scientific Technician

Bridging chemistry and diagnostics

Higher FP in Environmental Chemistry and a Higher FP in Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Technician. Experienced in public health, having worked at the La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital and the Transfusion Center of the Valencian Community

Germán Báez-Morillas

Biosolutions Scientific Technician

The microbe tamer

MSc in Biotechnology and Biomedicine R&D. Proficient in the culture of anaerobic and fastidious microbes, adaptive evolution, and R&D experimental projects.

Adriel Latorre, PhD

Head of Genomics

Data analyst in mind; rock&roll heart

PhD in Biotechnology. Expert in bioinformatics and data statistics. Lead scientist of the Spanish Microbiome Project and invited lecturer in ONT international conferences.

Daniel Torrent Silla

Bioinformatician

Unveiling the insights hidden in data

Biotechnologist with MSc in Plant Genomics. Expert in computational analysis of biological data and time-saving script development.

Marta Borrego Piquer

Head of Strains Collection Department

The guardian of our microbial collection

Advanced Technician in Microbiology and Clinical Science. Expert in microbiology, molecular biology, and culture collection management.

Michela Amato

Scientific Commercial Manager

Bringing microbes to life in labs and beyond

Professional specialized in microbiology with a solid academic and professional background. Holds a Degree in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia and a Master in Technology and Food Safety. Experienced in isolating and characterizing microorganisms and conducting cell culture tests.

Manuel Gómez Aguilar

Production & Innovation Lead

Crazy ideas MANU-facturer

FP higher degree in chemical analysis and quality control, experience in Arduino® programming and PLC systems.

Karol Vidal

Scientific Technician

Lab maestro: Precision in every prep

Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory Technician specializing in sample preparation, equipment management, chemical and microbiological analysis.

Paula Álvarez Ameijeiras

Business Development Director

Paula's recipe for success? A dash of strategy, a pinch of innovation, and a whole lot of partnerships

Professional specialized in Business Development, with a strong background in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, specializing in Food R&D from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and a Master’s in Food Marketing and Product Development from the University of Sheffield.

Ángela Roig Ferrer

Genomics Department Trainee

Biotech brain, bioinformatics wizard

Graduate in Biotechnology by the Universitat Politècnica de València. Currently a MSc student in Bioinformatics looking to further gain knowledge and experience in the field.

Costanza La Rocca

Strains Collection Department Trainee

A visionary in the making

MSc student in Medical Biotechnology at Wageningen University & Research. Former experience in several projects focusing on bioprocesses and innovation. Passionate about microorganisms and their endless potential for new applications.

Raquel del Val Buedo

Biosolutions Director

Cultivating innovation, one microbe at a time

Over 20 years of experience in microbial biotechnology. Managed the Spanish Culture Type Collection by identifying, characterizing, and preserving bacterial strains. Additionally, served as Executive Director of IAB, which manufactures biological control microorganisms with biostimulant and fertilizer properties.

Francisco Álvarez Bascuñana

International Trade & Market Intern

Francisco: Making international trade look easy

Francisco has dual degrees in Law and Business Administration, along with an MBA in International Trade. For the last two years, he worked for the Spanish International Trade Office in Angola, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia, gaining experience in market analysis and economic policy in high-risk environments.

Our Values

Ethical & Earth-centered

We prioritize ethical practices and have an unwavering commitment to the environment. Our work is firmly guided by the principles of sustainability and responsibility, ensuring that our bioprospecting efforts benefit both people and the planet.

Explorers & Adventurous

We epitomize the spirit of exploration and adventure, relentlessly pursuing new frontiers in microbial research. Fueled by curiosity and a tenacious quest for discovery, our team ventures into uncharted territories to unlock the potential of microorganisms.

Sciene & Innovation Driven

Science and innovation are at the core of everything we do at DARWIN. Our approach is rooted in rigorous scientific research and a commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of microbiology.

Ingenuity & Revolutionary

DARWIN is built on a foundation of ingenuity and revolutionary thinking. We pride ourselves on our ability to think outside the box and develop creative solutions to complex problems. Our team is empowered to challenge the status quo and envision new possibilities, leading to transformative breakthroughs in microbial technology.

Awards