I am an archaeologist specializing in microarchaeology, the study of the invisible record. I earned my PhD in 1999 from the University of Barcelona after three years of research training with Prof. S. Weiner at the Weizmann Institute of Science, where I pioneered an integrated quantitative and morphological approach to phytolith analysis, opening new avenues for investigating early fire use, other human uses of plants, and landscape reconstructions. At the University of Barcelona, I founded and directed the GEPEG research group (2005–2013), recognized as a Quality Research Group by the Catalan Government. Over the course of my career, I have authored more than 150 publications and led or participated in over 51 research projects. I also co‑directed the European Advanced Research Grant TerrACE on agricultural terraces (2018–2024). Since December 2022, I have been based at the Department of Prehistory, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, where I continue developing my research.

I study long‑term human–plant dynamics through palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, plant resource use and landscape transformation. I develop high‑resolution, multi‑proxy microarchaeological approaches based on sediment mineralogy and microscopic residues, increasingly integrating computational methods to improve phytolith taxonomic resolution. My research spans early hominin environments in East Africa, plant use and fire practices, and the development and evolution of agricultural systems in the Mediterranean. Alongside my research, I have developed a growing scholarly interest in research evaluation and peer review, serving on evaluation committees and, since 2024, as Coordinator for Arts and Humanities at AGAUR, where I oversee research assessment and promote transparent, rigorous, and equitable evaluation practices. I also contribute to digital infrastructures for data sharing and reproducible microarchaeology (e.g., PhytCore), supporting open science.