María Jesús (Iosune) Uriz Lespe (Estella, Navarra; 25 December 1949) is a pioneer in taxonomy, biology and population genetics of marine sponges, with a wide international recognition.

[1][2] In recent years she has focused her research on evolutionary and functional aspects of the symbiotic relationships between sponges and microorganisms, interacting with the renowned American specialist Lynn Margulis.

Her line of research in the biological activities of sponge secondary metabolites gave rise to a continued collaboration with pharmaceutical companies that have allowed the development of antitumor drugs.

She is also an evaluator of scientific projects for the following organizations: CYCIT, CIRIT, BBVA, Smithsonian Institution of Washington, National Science Foundation of the USA and of the European Union.

She is Member of the Academic Commission of the Biodiversity Doctorate Program and the Marine Sciences Doctorate Program of the University of Barcelona and member of the Commission for the Evaluation of Collaborators and Lecturers of the University of Barcelona and Gerona (AQU).