UNIVERSITY CHAIR

UB Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture - Biocontrol Technologies

A bridge between university research in plant health and the professional agricultural sector.

The University of Barcelona Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture – Biocontrol Technologies is a joint initiative between the University of Barcelona and Biocontrol Technologies that aims to promote research, scientific dissemination and knowledge transfer in the field of plant health and the use of microorganisms in agriculture.

The Chair was created with the aim of becoming a space of reference for dialogue between the university, the scientific community and the professional agricultural sector, facilitating the connection between university research and its practical application in the field, technical advice and agronomic decision-making.

KNOW THE CHAIR

What is the Chair?

The University of Barcelona Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture – Biocontrol Technologies is conceived as a stable framework for collaboration between universities and companies, aimed at strengthening the connection between university research and the practical application of innovative solutions in the field of plant health.

The Chair aims to promote the transfer of knowledge from the academic environment to the professional agricultural sector, facilitating dialogue between researchers, technicians, advisors and other agents in the sector, and contributing to agronomic decision-making based on scientific knowledge and technical evidence.

The creation and promotion of the Chair has been promoted by the Dr. María Isabel Trillas Professor at the University of Barcelona and a reference in the field of plant health and the study of microorganisms applied to agriculture.

Its academic trajectory and commitment to knowledge transfer have been key to consolidate this initiative as a space of connection between university research and the professional sector.

The Chair is aligned with the principles of modern, responsible and sustainable agriculture, promoting the use of microorganisms as a key tool to address current agronomic challenges.

Objectives and Lines of Work

Through the Chair, actions are promoted for:

Research and knowledge transfer

Promote scientific knowledge in the field of microorganisms applied to agriculture, favoring their transfer to the productive sector and their integration into sustainable plant health strategies.

Scientific and Technical Education and Dissemination

Organize and participate in conferences, technical meetings and dissemination activities that facilitate the exchange of knowledge among researchers, technicians, advisors and professionals in the agricultural sector.

Promotion of young talent in the agricultural sector

Promote academic training and the recognition of emerging talent through initiatives such as the Best Final Degree Project Award, encouraging applied research in plant health.

ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAIR

Institutional act of presentation of the chair

January 26, 2023

The University of Barcelona Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture – Biocontrol Technologies was officially presented at an institutional event held at the University of Barcelona at the end of January 2023. The event was conceived as a formal starting point for this initiative of collaboration between the university and the professional sector.

The presentation ceremony made it possible to present the objectives, lines of work and vocation of the Chair, as well as to highlight the role of university chairs as an instrument to promote knowledge transfer, applied research and the connection between academia and the productive sector.

ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAIR

Informative conferences

The University of Barcelona Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture – Biocontrol Technologies promotes the organization of technical-divulgative conferences as an activity, with the aim of promoting the exchange of knowledge between academia and the professional agricultural sector.

These conferences are conceived as spaces for meeting and reflection, aimed at researchers, professionals of the agricultural sector, technical advisors, students and entities linked to plant health, and are oriented to address the main current and future challenges of the sector from a scientific and applied perspective.

1ST INFORMATIVE DAY

Microorganisms, a viable option for plant health.

Graduate Room. Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona.

January 28, 2026

The first day of the Chair will be a technical-academic meeting focused on the role of microorganisms in plant health and their integration into sustainable agricultural strategies.

The conference will be aimed at researchers, professionals from the agricultural sector, technical advisors, students and entities related to plant health, and is conceived as a space for the exchange of knowledge and applied scientific reflection.

The day’s program will include:

Specialized lectures given by academic and professional experts.
A round table focused on the challenges and opportunities in the use of microorganisms in plant health.
The ceremony of the Awards Ceremony for the Best Final Degree Projectpromoted by the Chair.

(Speakers to be confirmed in the first weeks of January)

This day will mark a milestone in the beginning of the Chair’s public activities and will contribute to strengthen the dialogue between university research and professional agronomic practice.

Download PDF programming

Days

Hours

Minutes

Limited Seats!

ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAIR

Working Days of the Societat Catalana de Patologia Vegetal (Catalan Society of Plant Pathology)

The Chair has participated as a sponsoring entity in the working sessions of the Societat Catalana de Patologia Vegetal (SCPV), a reference entity in the field of plant pathology in Catalonia, which organizes high-level scientific and technical meetings.

In the editions held in 2024 and 2025, the Chair sponsored the working breakfasts of these conferences, held at the Institut d’Estudis Catalans (IEC), contributing to the creation of informal spaces for dialogue and exchange among attendees.

ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAIR

First Contest for the Best Undergraduate Final Project (TFG) of the Chair

The University of Barcelona Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture – Biocontrol Technologies promotes the Best Final Degree Project Competition (TFG) with the aim of recognizing academic excellence and promoting applied university research in the field of plant health and microorganisms for agriculture.

The competition is conceived as a tool to promote young talent, encourage practically oriented research and strengthen the connection between the university and the professional agricultural sector.

CHAIR'S TEAM

Academic and scientific team of the Chair

The University of Barcelona Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture – Biocontrol Technologies is formed by an academic team with a solid background in research, teaching and knowledge transfer in the field of plant health and microorganisms applied to agriculture.

UB Chair of Microorganisms for Agriculture - Biocontrol Technologies

What is the Chair?

Objectives and Lines of Work

Research and knowledge transfer

Scientific and Technical Education and Dissemination

Promotion of young talent in the agricultural sector

Institutional act of presentation of the chair

Informative conferences

Microorganisms, a viable option for plant health.

Working Days of the Societat Catalana de Patologia Vegetal (Catalan Society of Plant Pathology)

First Contest for the Best Undergraduate Final Project (TFG) of the Chair

Academic and scientific team of the Chair

Chair's address

Dr. José Luis Araus Ortega

Adjunct Direction

Director Emeritus

Team