Ignacio is a Principal Geochemist at CSIRO in Australia. Born in Spain, he completed his BSc and MSc with a specialisation in stratigraphy and sedimentary basin analysis, followed by a PhD focused on the REE and HFSE geochemical characterisation of sedimentary packages.
He has led and contributed to geological research and mineral exploration projects across six continents, including work in Canada, the USA, Papua New Guinea, Australia, China, South Korea, India, Spain, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Congo, and Brazil.
At CSIRO, Ignacio coordinates a diverse portfolio of multidisciplinary and data-integration projects across multiple regions of Australia. His research leadership focuses on trace element mobility in the Earth’s crust—particularly REE and HFSE—surface processes, sedimentary geochemistry, and their application to mineral exploration.
A defining aspect of his work is the ability to operate effectively across multiple levels of the research system, from detailed scientific analysis to team coordination, cross-institutional collaboration, and broader program strategy. This multi-level integration enables him to connect technical outputs with project workflows, support and supervise researchers across career stages, and align contributions among CSIRO, universities, geological surveys, and industry partners. By linking scientific, operational, and strategic scales, he helps maintain coherence across complex projects and ensures research outcomes remain collaborative, robust, and relevant to end-user needs.
Ignacio serves on panels for several diverse non-profit organisations that promote Earth Sciences and holds adjunct Research Fellow appointments at the University of Western Australia and James Cook University. He also has broad editorial experience as an Associate Editor for international journals including Ore Geology Reviews and Frontiers in Earth Sciences and Minerals.
