Manuela Ábalos Navarro started at CSIC in 1995. Initially, she worked on the analysis of organotin biocides and later, she conducted her PhD on the development of analytical methods based on solid-phase microextraction (SPME) to determine volatile compounds, such as amines, fatty acids, and sulfides in wastewater.
In 2002, she began working at the Laboratory of Dioxins of IDAEA, where, for over 20 years, she has been involved in the analysis of dioxins, dioxin-like compounds, and other persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in food and feed samples as well as environmental matrices.
In July 2026, she joined the ENFOCHEM research group, where she contributes her extensive expertise in advanced analytical chemistry and trace organic contaminant. Her work focuses on the development and application of state-of-the-art chromatographic and mass spectrometric methodologies for the identification, quantification and environmental assessment of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, PFAS, biocides, pesticides, microplastics and plastic-related contaminants and their transformation products in environmental matrices. She is also involved in research addressing the occurrence, environmental fate and risks of these contaminants, supporting the development of sustainable water management strategies, including wastewater reclamation and reuse, managed aquifer recharge, soil–aquifer treatment (SAT) systems and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) for water regeneration.
