Prof. Dr. Gema Romero | Small Ruminants | Best Researcher Award
Full Professor at University Miguel Hernández, Spain
Gema Romero Moraleda is an established academic and researcher specializing in animal production and dairy science, with a distinguished career rooted in the Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche. Her expertise encompasses a wide range of research interests including animal welfare, dairy production, zootechnics, and the valorization of agricultural by-products. Since beginning her research journey in 2003, she has steadily advanced through the academic ranks, attaining full professorship in 2022. Her scientific contributions span over 45 JCR-indexed journal publications, participation in numerous R&D projects, and active engagement in mentoring graduate students and doctoral candidates.
Profile
Education
Romero Moraleda holds a comprehensive academic background anchored in agricultural engineering and food technology. She earned her first degree in Agricultural Technical Engineering, specializing in Livestock Operations, in 1998. This was followed by a higher degree in Agricultural Engineering in 2000. She later pursued doctoral studies in Agro-Food Technology at Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, where she obtained her Doctorate in 2009. In 2004, she was awarded a third-cycle Diploma in Advanced Studies, reflecting her research proficiency and academic commitment.
Experience
Her academic trajectory commenced in 2002 as a part-time associate professor, followed by successive positions including Assistant Professor (2005), Collaborating Professor (2007), and Doctor Contracted (2012). In 2018, she was appointed Associate Professor (Titular de Universidad), eventually attaining Full Professor status in 2022. Beyond teaching, she has served as principal investigator and team member in numerous regional and national projects. These roles underscore her capacity to lead complex initiatives involving dairy goat management, functional food production, and sustainable animal feeding systems. She also has extensive experience in technical consulting for hygiene protocols and hazard control systems in food logistics.
Research Interest
Her research centers on animal production systems with a strong emphasis on dairy sheep and goat health, milking systems, and bioeconomic strategies to enhance farm sustainability. She explores the impact of machine milking on udder health, the utilization of agricultural by-products in ruminant feed, and innovations for improving milk quality through environmental and nutritional interventions. Recent interests include circular economy approaches such as converting grape pomace and artichoke silage into valuable animal feed, aligning with climate adaptation and ecological farming principles.
Award
Romero Moraleda’s career has been recognized through formal accreditation milestones and research periods. She has achieved two recognized six-year research periods and met the criteria for a third (2019–2024), reflecting the consistent impact of her work. Her innovations in animal nutrition and mastitis detection have also led to registered patents and collaborative industrial ventures, further showcasing her influence beyond academic boundaries.
Publication
Romero Moraleda’s scientific output is both prolific and impactful.
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Romero G., Roca A., Muelas R., Alejandro M., Díaz J.R. (2017).
Relationship of mammary gland health status and other non-infectious factors with electrical conductivity of milk in Manchega ewes.
Journal of Dairy Science, 100, pp. 1555–1567.
Cited in a top 25% ISI journal, Impact Factor: 2.474. -
Bueso-Ródenas J., Moreno-Manrique M., Gascó P., Arias R., Romero G., Díaz J.R. (2025).
Evaluation of Body and Udder Temperatures and Mammary Gland Health Status Throughout Lactation in Manchega Dairy Sheep.
Animals, 15(6), pp. 773–774. -
Miralles Y., Fornés V., Roca A., Muelas R., Díaz J.R., Romero G. (2025).
N-Acetyl-β-D-Glucosaminidase Analysis in Sheep Milk Can Detect Early Intramammary Infection with High Yields If Incorporated into Mathematical Algorithms.
Animals, 15(3), pp. 371. -
Gálvez-López M., Navarro A., Muelas R., Roca A., Peris C., Romero G., Díaz J.R. (2025).
Potential of Baled Silage to Preserve White Grape Pomace for Ruminant Feeding.
Agriculture, 15(9), pp. 974–975.
Corresponding author: G. Romero. -
Quintero-Moreno A., Martínez-López C., Luongo C., García M.L., Argente M.J., Romero G., Díaz J.R., García-Vázquez F.A., Llamas-López P.J. (2025).
Wine Grape Pomace as a Dietary Supplement to Improve Semen Quality in Boars.
Reproduction in Domestic Animals, 60, pp. 70049–70050. -
Miralles Y., Fornés V., Roca A., Muelas R., Díaz J.R., Romero G. (2024).
Factors Affecting N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase as an Indicator for Mastitis Detection in Dairy Sheep.
Animal, 18(4). DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101111 -
Roca A., Muelas R., Alejandro M., Romero G., Díaz J.R. (2023).
Effect of the Onset of Intramammary Infection on the Electrical Conductivity of Ewe’s Milk and Study of Various Algorithms for Its On-Line Detection.
Animals, 13(11), pp. 1808.
Corresponding author: G. Romero. -
Monllor P., Zemzmi J., Muelas R., Romero G., Díaz J.R. (2023).
Long-Term Feeding of Dairy Goats with 40% Artichoke By-Product Silage Preserves Milk Yield, Nutritional Composition and Animal Health Status.
Animals, 13(22), pp. 3585.
Corresponding author: G. Romero.
These publications illustrate her diverse contributions to both the theoretical understanding and practical improvement of dairy livestock systems.
Conclusion
Gema Romero Moraleda exemplifies the synergy of academic dedication, applied innovation, and sustainable research. Her interdisciplinary approach, integrating animal welfare, food safety, and environmental adaptation, aligns closely with modern challenges in agricultural science. As a mentor, leader, and scientist, she continues to shape the future of animal production and dairy research through ongoing projects, collaborations, and scholarly contributions.