Prof. Estefanía García-Luque | Agricultural and biological sciences | Women Researcher Award

EVEGA/Granxa D’Outeiro, Spain.

Estefanía García Luque is a passionate molecular biologist, researcher, and scientific disseminator. She has focused her research on the application of molecular techniques to study genetic diversity, biotechnology in the food industry, and biodiversity conservation. Estefanía has worked with prestigious institutions like the University of Malaga and the Galapagos Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency. As a founder and CEO of GrowMeat, an innovative startup focused on sustainable lab-grown meat production, she is committed to advancing science for a sustainable future.

Profile

Scopus

Education 🎓

Estefanía holds a Degree in Biology and a Master’s in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Malaga, where she completed her Master's Thesis on tumor cell lines of the NCI-60 panel. She further expanded her expertise with a Master’s in Biological Diversity and Environment, focusing on genetic diversity through molecular techniques.

Experience 💼

Estefanía García Luque has made significant contributions through her diverse roles in the scientific community. As a Researcher at EVEGA (Galician Viticulture and Enology Station), she collaborated with the company Granxa D'Outeiro to identify and isolate autochthonous yeasts, aiming to enhance the production of unique wines that reflect the local terroir. As the Founder and CEO of GrowMeat, she leads an innovative startup dedicated to producing lab-grown meat, providing a more sustainable and efficient food source. Estefanía also contributes to environmental sustainability through her work as a Researcher at the University of Malaga’s SmartCampus Project, where she helps bring the university's scientific initiatives to the public. Furthermore, as an International Collaborator at the Galapagos Biosecurity and Quarantine Agency (ABG), she has been involved in biodiversity conservation efforts, utilizing molecular techniques to identify invasive species that pose a threat to the delicate ecosystem of the Galapagos Islands.

Research Interests 🔬

Molecular Biology

Estefanía’s work in molecular biology focuses on the application of advanced techniques to understand the underlying mechanisms in living organisms, particularly in the context of genetic diversity and environmental adaptation.

Genetic Diversity

Her research explores the vast diversity within species, studying how genetic variations contribute to the survival and resilience of organisms in changing environments. This work has important implications for biodiversity conservation and agricultural applications.

Biotechnology

Estefanía is committed to leveraging biotechnology to develop solutions for a wide range of industries, including food production, health, and environmental management. Her focus is on using molecular techniques to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of biotechnological processes.

Biodiversity Conservation

As a strong advocate for biodiversity, Estefanía contributes to conservation efforts through innovative research. She has worked on projects such as the identification of invasive species in the Galapagos Islands, aiming to protect the unique ecosystems there.

Food Biotechnology

Estefanía’s interest in food biotechnology focuses on developing sustainable and efficient food production methods, such as lab-grown meat, which offer solutions to global food security and environmental challenges by reducing reliance on traditional farming practices.

Awards 🏆

SpinOff 2023 Award for her startup GrowMeat.

First Prize in Flash Session Hackathon for innovative projects.

Berkeley Method of Entrepreneurship Bootcamp at the University of California.

International Cooperation Scholarship for her work in the Galapagos Islands.

Publications 📚

"Using Active Learning Methodologies to Teach Sequence Analysis and Molecular Phylogeny"

Journal: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education

Published: 2025, 53(1), pp. 21–32

"Diversity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Yeast Strains in Granxa D’Outeiro Winery (DOP Ribeiro, NW Spain): Oenological Potential"

Journal: Fermentation

Published: 2024, 10(9), 475