Alicia S. Arroyo studied Biology at the Complutense University of Madrid and specialized in Animal Biology. Her Master’s Degree focused on Primatology, during which she conducted research at the Barcelona Zoo and Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar. In 2015, she began her PhD at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE-UPF-CSIC) in Barcelona, researching hidden biodiversity and species unknown to science through molecular tools. Thesis title: “Metabarcoding of the 18S rRNA gene to uncover new molecular biodiversity in Metazoa and unicellular Opisthokonta”.
It was during this period that she developed a passion for science communication and began her training in the field. She was awarded three prizes in two public speaking competitions and created content for an exhibition at the CosmoCaixa museum. After completing her PhD, she worked at the European Commission in Brussels as a Blue Book Trainee, developing the outreach strategy for the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (Scientific Advice Mechanism), which included infographic design, social media management, and website editing.
In June 2020, she joined the Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC) as a Communication and Outreach Manager. Her tasks drive the center’s visibility by drafting press releases and feature stories, maintaining strong media relations, and managing the website and social media. Working closely with the IDAEA Director and the Innovation & Transfer Office, she executes strategic communication plans and coordinates public outreach activities to connect IDAEA’s research with all target audiences.
