Dr. Ana María Yáñez-Serrano leads research on volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and their role in atmospheric chemistry, ecosystem dynamics and plant defence. Her work focuses on biosphere–atmosphere interactions across forest – such as tropical and Mediterranean-, and urban ecosystems, using advanced mass spectrometry and isotopic techniques to investigate the emission, transformation, and environmental impact of VOCs. She has developed the global collaborative tool GLOVOCs for PTR-MS data analysis, a landmark example of open science adopted by numerous international groups. Dr. Yáñez-Serrano has identified and quantified global emissions of diterpenes and demonstrated their importance in secondary organic aerosol formation, led studies on the interaction between biogenic and anthropogenic VOC sources in the Iberian Peninsula to better understand tropospheric ozone episodes, and directed the first interdisciplinary project exploring the role of VOCs in rainwater chemistry, integrating ecology, biogeochemistry, and atmospheric chemistry. She earned her BSc in Environmental Science (University of Nottingham, UK, 2009), MSc in Atmospheric Sciences and Biogeochemical Cycles (Lund University, Sweden, 2011), and PhD in Climate and Environment (University of the State of the Amazon and INPA, Brazil, 2015). After postdoctoral research in Germany and Spain, she joined IDAEA-CSIC in 2021. She was awarded a La Caixa Foundation Junior Leader Fellowship and later a Ramón y Cajal fellowship. Currently she is a CSIC Tenured Scientist.
Her work advances understanding of biosphere–atmosphere feedbacks and promotes open science, equality, and international collaboration, with a strong commitment to mentoring and public engagement in environmental research.
Ana María Yáñez Serrano
Permanent Researcher
- ana.yanez@idaea.csic.es
- 437748
- iD ORCID: 0000-0001-6408-5961
Summary
Latest publications
Linking in-canopy chemistry to above-canopy O3, BVOCs, and NOx gas fluxes in the Amazon rainforest
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics — 2026 — DOI: CSIC-GB1132553
Measurement report: Spatial variability of VOCs, ozone, and carbonaceous aerosols during the 2022 European summer heatwave
Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics — 2026 — DOI: CSIC-GB1124070
Analysis of the abundance and impacts of volatile organic compounds across Europe
Npj Climate and Atmospheric Science — 2026 — DOI: CSIC-GB1106280
Volatile Organic Compounds in Rainwater: A New Frontier in Atmosphere-Biosphere Interactions
2026 — DOI: 10.22541/essoar.177039014.41167469/v1
Toluene early morning peaks as potential biogenic stress signals of Mediterranean forests
Environmental Science: Atmospheres — 2026 — DOI: 10.1039/d5ea00168d
Latest projects
Measurements and modelling for advancing knowledge of NMVOC concentrations in urban air and associated emission sources in Berlin and Barcelona
Start date: 31/12/2024 - End date: 30/12/2027
Measurements and modelling for advancing knowledge of NMVOC concentrations in urban air and associated emission sources in Berlin and Barcelona
UrbanVOC
Start date: 31/12/2024 - End date: 30/12/2027
Impacts of Volatile Organic Compounds on rainwater chemistry
Start date: 01/09/2023 - End date: 28/02/2026
A novel and innovative approach integrating technologies to quantify the role of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in rainwater
Uncovering the importance of the interaction between VOCs and rainwater
Start date: 01/11/2021 - End date: 30/11/2024
El papel de los compuestos órganicos volátiles en la química del agua de lluvia
Start date: 01/07/2008 - End date: