Ricardo Amils - Biography#
Professor of Microbiology, Department of Molecular Biology, Molecular Biology Centre, Autonomous University of Madrid and a research fellow at the Centre for Astrobiology (INTA-CSIC). Obtained his Degree in Chemistry in the University of Barcelona,1969, and became Doctor of Science, University of Barcelona, 1973. His most relevant scientific experience is as a Research Associated in the Biochemistry Department at Dartmouth Medical School, N.H. (USA) (1973-1975), Associated Research in Chemistry Department at Columbia University, N.Y. (USA) (1975-1976), Associate Professor of Microbiology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (1977-1993)
His main research activities are on functional evolution of the ribosome, reconstitution of ribosomes bio-mining, bioremediation, specific metal sequestration, microbial ecology of extreme environments, astrobiology.
Director of the Department of Microbiology of the UAM (1981-1982). Director of the Biology Division of the UAM (1983-1985). Vicedean of Economical Affairs at the Faculty of Sciences (1985-1986). Dean of the Faculty of Science (1987-1993). Director of the Department of Astrobiology at the Centro de Astrobiología (2003-2009). Director of the Department of Planetology and Habitability at the Centro de Astrobiología (2010-2012). Member of the Sociedad Española de Microbiología, American Society of Microbiology, Society for the Study of the Origin of Life, European Astrobiology Association (EANA). Member of the editorial board of Astrobiology, International Microbiology, Extremophiles, Microbial Cell Factories, Environmental Microbiology, Microorganisms. Interdisciplinary Scientist of the Mars Express Mission (ESA) (2000-present). Member of the Exploration Sciences and Technology Advisory Group (ESA) (2007-2009) Member of the Solar System Exploration Working Group (2011-2013). Awards: Group Achievment NASA Award for its participation in the Mars Analog Research and Technology Experiment Project (2006), Torre de Nerva (2007). Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Mamber of the American Society Microbiology, Member of the Spanish Microbiology Society.
