I am a Spanish academic with a deep passion for computer engineering,  artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. My academic journey began at the Complutense University of Madrid, where I earned my BSc and MSc degrees in Physical Sciences, specializing in Computer Engineering. I completed my doctoral studies in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Carlos III University of Madrid in December 2001, an achievement recognized with the Extraordinary Doctoral Award in 2004.

Currently, I serve as a Full Professor at the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), a position I have held since October 2020. I have also been appointed as Visiting Professor at Dalian University of Technology (China), 2025, and Lodz University of Technology (Poland) 2023,  2025. Over the years, I have taught and mentored students at several prestigious Spanish institutions, including the Autonomous University of Madrid, Carlos III University, and Complutense University, among others. I have also collaborated internationally as a researcher or visiting professor with institutions such as the University of California San Diego (USA), the University of Kent (UK), and Lodz University of Technology (Poland). My research and teaching span a broad spectrum of topics, from computer engineering to data science and machine learning, reflecting my commitment to shaping the next generation of innovators. 

My research focuses on both basic and applied areas, including machine learning, social network analysis, and evolutionary computation. On the applied side, I work on pressing challenges such as disinformation, misinformation, radicalisation, IoT security, malware analysis, and aerospace systems, among others. To date, I have published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals, including 100+ in Q1-ranked publications, and contributed to numerous books and academic chapters. I have also led over 60 competitive R&D projects and collaborated with private sector partners to bring innovative solutions to real-world problems, obtaining over 5 millions euros of funding to my research group.

In addition to my research and teaching, I 'm the Coordinator UPM’s MSc in Machine Learning and Big Data, as well as the PhD program in Computer Science for Smart Cities. Mentorship is an integral part of my career, and I have supervised 17 doctoral theses, with several more currently in progress. I also founded and lead research groups such as AIDA (Applied Intelligence & Data Analysis Group), focusing on applied intelligence and data analysis.

My contributions extend beyond academia into editorial and evaluative roles. As Editor-in-Chief of journals like Expert Systems and  the  International Journal of Interactive Multimedia and Artificial Intelligence (IJIMAI), I have the privilege of shaping discourse in computational intelligence. I am also honored to serve as an evaluator for renowned funding agencies across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. These roles allow me to further my dedication to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and supporting the global research community.

Currently, and always, seeking new challenges, collaborations, and opportunities to advance research in Artificial Intelligence and Computing.