The Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA) has received significant recognition with the inclusion of eleven of its researchers in the prestigious Ranking of the World Scientists: World’s Top 2% Scientists 2025, compiled annually by Stanford University. This ranking identifies the most influential scientists worldwide, based on the citation impact of their publications and other metrics of influence.

The ICRA-CERCA researchers who have achieved this distinction are:

·Vicenç Acuña: Specialized in river ecology, Acuña works on the ecological quality of aquatic ecosystems and the effects of climate change on these systems. His research helps understand how rivers can recover and adapt to environmental pressures.

·Jose Luis Balcazar: An environmental microbiology researcher, Balcazar studies microbial communities in water and their relationship to human health. His work is essential for the detection and control of aquatic pathogens, with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance.

·Lluís Corominas: Expert in integrated urban water cycle analysis, monitoring, modeling, and control of contaminants in sewers, treatment plants, and rivers, with a focus on improving ecosystems, human health, and sustainability.

·Wolfgang Gernjak: An expert in water treatment, Gernjak focuses on advanced purification technologies, including oxidation and membrane processes. His research is key to improving the quality of water for human consumption and safely and sustainably reusing wastewater.

·Michael Gonsior: Specialist in characterizing and monitoring dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural and artificial ecosystems, identifying contaminant sources, environmental photochemistry, and studying disinfection by-products and harmful algal blooms.

·Meritxell Gros: Known for her work on emerging contaminants, Gros studies chemical compounds entering aquatic environments, such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Her research helps understand the impact of these contaminants on ecosystems and develop strategies to mitigate their effects.

·Mira Petrovic: Expert in analytical water chemistry, Petrovic develops methods to detect contaminants at very low concentrations. Her contributions are fundamental for identifying and controlling hazardous substances present in water.

·Maite Pijuan: Specialist in wastewater treatment technologies, improving the removal of macro- and micro-contaminants, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and applying circular economy principles to recover energy, nutrients, and high-value compounds.

·Jelena Radjenovic: Radjenovic researches innovative technologies to remove persistent contaminants from water. Her work contributes to developing more efficient and sustainable techniques to ensure water quality in industrial and municipal settings.

·Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz: Focused on ecotoxicology and environmental health, Rodriguez-Mozaz analyzes the impact of contaminants on aquatic organisms and human health. Her research helps identify potential risks associated with the presence of chemicals and pharmaceuticals in water sources.

·Sergi Sabater: With a long career in aquatic ecology, Sabater studies the effects of pollution and habitat degradation on river ecosystems. His research is key to understanding the mechanisms that help rivers remain healthy amid environmental disturbances.

This inclusion of ICRA-CERCA in the Stanford ranking, now in its eighth edition, highlights its position as a global reference in water and water resources research. This recognition validates the quality and impact of the research conducted at ICRA-CERCA.

This achievement positions ICRA-CERCA as a global leader in water and water resources research. In a context where sustainability and water management are more critical than ever, the impact and contribution of ICRA-CERCA researchers testify to the institute’s commitment to innovation and scientific excellence.