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Universidad de Murcia
The University of Murcia (UMU) is a public university located in south-eastern Spain. Founded in 1915, it is one of the country’s long-established higher education institutions and a major centre for teaching, research and knowledge transfer in the Region of Murcia. Its academic and scientific activity covers a broad range of disciplines, with particular strengths in life sciences, agriculture, food science, health and environmental research.
UMU combines fundamental and applied research and maintains close links with companies, public institutions and the agricultural sector. Its location in one of Europe’s leading horticultural regions provides an ideal setting for developing research aimed at more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.
Prof. Marino Bañón Arnao
Prof. Marino Bañón Arnao
Marino Bañón Arnao is Full Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Murcia and head of the Phytohormones and Plant Development Research Group. His research career has focused on plant physiology, antioxidant metabolism, plant hormones and the physiological responses of plants to environmental stress.
He is internationally recognised for his contribution to the study of phytomelatonin, particularly its occurrence, metabolism and regulatory functions in plants. His work has helped establish phytomelatonin as a relevant molecule in plant growth, stress tolerance, crop production and postharvest conservation. He has also promoted the agricultural application of phytomelatonin-rich plant extracts and other naturally derived compounds as biostimulants and sustainable alternatives to conventional treatments.
The UMU Team
Prof. Marino Bañón Arnao (Team Leader&WP2 Leader)
Dr. Josefa Hernández-Ruiz
Josefa Hernández-Ruiz is Associate Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Murcia. Her research focuses on phytomelatonin, plant antioxidants, redox regulation and plant responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. She has extensive experience in the study of the physiological functions of phytomelatonin and its potential application in crop protection, plant production and postharvest preservation.
Dr. Antonio Cano Lario
Antonio Cano Lario is Associate Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of Murcia. His research activity centres on antioxidant metabolism, phytochemistry and the evaluation of antioxidant capacity in plant materials and agro-food products. He is experienced in spectrophotometric and biochemical methods used to characterise plant stress responses, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and naturally occurring antioxidants.
Manuela Giraldo Acosta
Manuela Giraldo Acosta is a predoctoral researcher in Plant Physiology at the University of Murcia. Her doctoral research examines phytomelatonin as a natural safener and biostimulant, with particular emphasis on its protective role against fungicide-induced stress in plants. Her work integrates physiological, biochemical and metabolomic approaches, including the analysis of plant growth, photosynthetic pigments, oxidative damage, antioxidant metabolism, polyphenolic profiles and melatonin metabolites.
Other team members
Soundouss Kaabi
Dr. Amina Amina El Mihyaoui
Sahar El Maazouzi
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