What is your job at ALBA?

I am the Life Sciences Section head. My work consists in helping in the management of the economic and human resources of the section and ensuring that we meet the necessities of the beamlines staff. Another relevant task is to ensure that the scientific strategy of the beamlines aligns with the Life Sciences Section strategy. Furthermore, I am also the XAIRA beamline responsible, which is currently under construction. The main task of a beamline responsible is to develop and coordinate the beamline activities and resources, report the progress of the construction or the user program, and communicate with the external research groups. For me, it is not a hierarchy but rather transversal teamwork where my task is to fit the pieces together.

What do you enjoy the most about your job at ALBA?

What I enjoy the most about my job here is the variety of tasks involved. There is no time to get bored. You are constantly in contact with new people who teach you new things.

One of the most exciting projects I was involved in was the design and construction of the XALOC beamline at a time when many instruments and facilities were not existing. Although the beamline was designed for macromolecular crystallography, it finally became apparent that it could also perform experiments on supramolecular chemistry or cultural heritage. I love that X-rays are “universal”, in a sense: they do not care about the sample you study, they interact and you have to learn how to read their language. You can analyze with the same instrument a protein-drug interaction, a Gothic painting, or a compound to improve the efficiency of solar cells, X rays do not care.

Did you know ALBA before working for it?

Yes, I was aware of the project of the ALBA Synchrotron. Since I was working as a beamline scientist at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESFR) before coming to ALBA, I was part of the “synchrotron world” already.

I started working for ALBA by end 2004. At that time, I did my work mainly through a computer because all this was bare land still. At first, that was overwhelming to me because I was coming from an already operating synchrotron facility, so I understood the complexity it takes to make it work.

Do you collaborate with other research institutions?

Yes. Research-wise, the easiest way to make long-term collaborations with users is through projects and Ph.D. programs. They offer expertise in samples, we offer expertise in the instrument. At the European level, we collaborate with other synchrotron facilities for developing software or new instrumentation. Moreover, our services are also available for the industry and private sector.

Which are your hobbies?

Hiking, reading, writing… I also do a lot of social activism for LGBTI rights.