María José Jurado is a geologist. Her specialization, as well as her most relevant contributions and achievements, are focused on subsurface exploration, geological hazards, and geo-resources. In this field, she has an extensive record of publications, R&D projects, innovation and knowledge transfer activities, international awards, intellectual property, and a strong commitment to specialized training.

She has led the creation of a unique laboratory infrastructure at GEO3BCN-CSIC dedicated to innovation in subsurface exploration and scientific drilling, which has hosted activities and exchanges with institutions from Japan, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, and China במסגרת international scientific drilling programs. This specialization has enabled her to contribute to and lead advancements in scientific drilling at the international level. At the local and national levels, she has led and participated in initiatives related to subsurface resource exploration and critical raw materials (including coordination of EIT Raw Materials projects), as well as in advising public administrations on geological hazards and monitoring active subsurface processes. A Marie Curie fellowship at the Geophysical Institute Karlsruhe, along with participation in international organizations and projects, fostered the development of international cooperation networks in this field.

More recently, she coordinated and led the INNOLOG project, for which she received the 3rd prize at the EIT Innovators Award 2020. She subsequently coordinated CSIC’s participation in the BRINERIS project (2022–2024, “Brines of RIS countries as a source of CRM and energy supply”). María José Jurado continues her work in specialized training through university master’s programs and international initiatives.