She studied biology at the University of Barcelona, where in 1974 she obtained her doctorate with a cum laude qualification, under the direction of the ecologist Ramon Margalef.

Subsequently, she joined the University of Valencia as a professor in the Microbiology and Ecology Department, where she founded the limnology research group.

[citation needed] Her research covered a diverse array of topics in basic and applied limnology.

[3] She worked on biodiversity, ecology, integrative taxonomy, and biogeography of aquatic organisms (including bacteria, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos).

In terms of applied research, she conducted studies on eutrophication, pollution, ecotoxicology, and also conservation and management of aquatic ecosystems.