--- title: Rosa Montoro, food safety pioneer and key figure in IATA’s history, dies description: From the University of Valencia Science Park we deeply regret the death of Rosa Montoro, a scientist at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC) in the area of conservation and food safety, aged 85. 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[Home](https://www.pcuv.es/en/home) 2. [News and Calendar](https://news.pcuv.es/) 3. News # Rosa Montoro, food safety pioneer and key figure in IATA’s history, dies 09/01/2026 Share this news: - ![](https://news.pcuv.es/hubfs/Blog/images/share.svg) - ![](https://news.pcuv.es/hubfs/Blog/images/printer.svg) ![](https://news.pcuv.es/hubfs/rosa%20montoro%20iata.jpg) ## From the University of Valencia Science Park we deeply regret the death of Rosa Montoro, a scientist at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC) in the area of conservation and food safety, aged 85. Its history, closely linked to the growth and consolidation of IATA, makes it an essential figure in the history of the centre Rosa Montoro, Rosita for her loved ones, has been part of the [Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC)](https://www.pcuv.es/en/institutos-de-investigacion/institutos-de-investigacion/iata) since its early years, when the institute was based at Calle Jaume Roig, 11, the current location of the Valencia Institute of Biomedicine (IBV-CSIC). She lived through all the stages of IATA’s institutional development, from its beginnings with founding figures such as Eduardo Primo Yúfera to its move to the [University of Valencia Science Park (PCUV)](https://www.pcuv.es/en/) in 1995, where he continued his research work until his retirement. ## A pioneer in food toxicology For decades, Rosa Montoro led the IATA-CSIC metal contamination group, a direct precedent of the current Integrative Approaches in Food Toxicology group, now coordinated by Vicenta Devesa, Dinoraz Vélez, both formed under her direction, and Marta Arroyo. At a time when food safety research focused almost exclusively on microbiology, Rosa Montoro was able to anticipate the growing role of chemical risks in foods by orienting her research towards a then emerging field. "She was a great fighter and a pioneer in the area of food toxicology, especially in the study of metals," recalls Dinoraz Vélez. Vicenta Devesa adds: "Both in the bioavailability tests, identification and quantification of chemical species of metals and in the study of how food processing influences the transfer of contaminants, her scientific contribution has been extraordinary". ## International commitment and science with social impact Rosa Montoro created numerous scientific collaboration networks, with a special focus on cooperation with Latin American countries. Much of his work was devoted to the study of populations exposed to arsenic in various regions of South America, contributing to a better understanding of its toxic effects and to the design of preventive strategies. > "In bioavailability testing, the identification and quantification of chemical metal species and the study of how food processing influences the transfer of contaminants, her scientific contribution has been outstanding", Dinoraz Vélez, coordinator of the IATA group on Integrative Approaches in Food Toxicology and formed by Rosa Montoro Her public service vocation was also reflected in its role during the Aznalcóllar disaster (1998), one of the most serious environmental episodes in Spain’s recent history. Montoro was one of the CSIC’s leaders in the scientific response to the emergency. The team, made up of 17 doctors, including the microbiologist César Nombela and the then director of the Biological Station of Doñana, Miguel Ferrer, carried out an exhaustive characterisation of the level of toxic pollutants in waters, sludge s, soils and living beings affected by the toxic spill. Their contributions were essential in determining the level of contamination and guiding post-disaster management. ## A legacy that endures Rosa Montoro will be remembered not only for her scientific contributions, but also for her integrity, her ability to work and her commitment to the formation of new generations. Her influence continues alive in the current group of Integrative Approaches in Food Toxicology, in the numerous researchers that it formed and in the historical development of IATA. Her scientific, human and institutional legacy is an inseparable part of IATA’s identity. The PCUV research centre sends her farewell with deep gratitude and admiration.   *Source: IATA*     ### Recent Posts   [![PCUV](https://news.pcuv.es/hubfs/icons/logo.svg)](https://www.pcuv.es/en/home) ## Subscribe to our **newsletter** - Get to know us - [Parc Científic](https://www.pcuv.es/en/conocenos) - [FPCUV](https://www.pcuv.es/en/fpcuv/) - [Transparency Portal](https://www.pcuv.es/en/portal-de-transparencia) - --- Services - [Infrastructures and spaces](https://www.pcuv.es/en/servicios/espacios-para-empresas) - [Support for companies and startups](https://www.pcuv.es/en/servicios/apoyo-a-emprededor-empresas) - [Networking](https://www.pcuv.es/en/servicios/networking-empresas/) - [UV services](https://www.pcuv.es/en/servicios/servicios-uv) - [Training](https://www.pcuv.es/en/servicios/formacion/) - [Networks](https://www.pcuv.es/en/servicios/redes/) - Establishing in the park - [Establishing in the park](https://www.pcuv.es/en/instalarse-en-el-parc/) - --- Companies - [The park's companies](https://www.pcuv.es/en/empresas) - [Company directory and search engine](https://www.pcuv.es/en/directorio-buscador-empresas) - Sectors - [Biotechnology, agrifood, medicine and health](https://www.pcuv.es/en/empresas-biotecnologia-medicina-salud) - [Information and communication technologies ICT](https://www.pcuv.es/en/empresas-tecnologias-informacion-comunicacion-tic) - [Energy and environment](https://www.pcuv.es/en/empresas-energia-y-medio-ambiente) - [Advanced services](https://www.pcuv.es/en/empresas-servicios-avanzados) - [Industry, materials and nanotechnology](https://www.pcuv.es/en/empresas-industrial-materiales-nanotecnologia) - [Research Institutes](https://www.pcuv.es/en/institutos-de-investigacion) - PCUV News - [News](https://news.pcuv.es/en/) - [Calendar](https://www.pcuv.es/en/agenda-eventos/) - [Park projects](https://www.pcuv.es/en/proyectos-del-parc/) - [Publications](https://www.pcuv.es/en/publicaciones/) - [Ebooks](https://www.pcuv.es/en/ebooks/) - [Podcasts](https://www.pcuv.es/en/podcasts/) - ![](https://news.pcuv.es/hubfs/icons/location-f.svg)[How to get to the park](https://www.pcuv.es/en/contacto#map) - --- [Contact](https://www.pcuv.es/en/contacto) - --- [Internal information channel](https://pcuv.es/en/canal-interno-de-informacion) - - - - - - --- ©2026 Parc Científic de la Universitat de València - [Cookies policy](https://www.pcuv.es/en/politica-cookies) - [Privacy policy](https://www.pcuv.es/en/politica-privacidad) - [Legal notice](https://www.pcuv.es/en/aviso-legal-web)