124 researchers from the Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV) appear in the most recent national ranking measuring scientific impact, once again confirming the weight of female research in the region. This year, 16 URV researchers enter the top 10% with the most impact in Spain, and Professor Mònica Bulló stands out among the top 100.

The ranking was published this April by the Cybermetrics Lab of the CSIC, based on public data from Google Scholar, ORCID, and OpenAlex. It analyzed more than 12,500 profiles of active researchers at centers and universities across the Spanish State, including many from Tarragona and its surroundings.

The CSIC ranking: which URV researchers shine the most?

Mònica Bulló, the spearhead of Tarragona

Mònica Bulló, from the URV Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, is the best-positioned researcher of the university according to the new CSIC ranking. She holds position 73 in the State, placing Tarragona on the map of research with the greatest impact. This position is a clear indicator of the recognition her work is receiving at the national level.

Other URV researchers among the most cited

Rosa Maria Marcé (chemistry) and María José Figueras (basic medicine) also rank among the top 150, with positions 112 and 140 respectively. In addition, seven more researchers manage to enter the top 5%, while a total of 124 URV researchers appear in the overall ranking.

How the ranking is made and what it means for Tarragona

Method and criteria for inclusion

The ranking is made with bibliometric indicators, mainly the h-index and the number of citations, which measure the productivity and impact of the researcher. To be part of it, one must have a public profile on Google Scholar with a verified ORCID and a minimum h-index of 20. The data were collected between April 20 and 30, 2026, guaranteeing an updated picture.

Local and URV impact in Tarragona

The presence of so many URV researchers in the highest percentiles reinforces the importance of the university in the scientific dynamization of the province of Tarragona. This international and national recognition can attract resources, talent, and visibility for local projects, which often go unnoticed.

Outstanding URV researchers in the national top 10%

Table with the 16 most relevant researchers

Ranking
Researcher

73
Mònica Bulló

112
Rosa Maria Marcé

140
María José Figueras

226
Josepa Gené

241
Nancy Babio

388
Ciara K O’Sullivan

549
Mercè Gisbert

627
Eva Pocurull

664
Marina Galià

694
Magdalena Aguiló

726
María Elena Fernández

768
Montserrat Diéguez

803
Ruth Blasco

919
Anna Ardèvol

1066
Maria Josepa Salvadó

1074
Maria Teresa Blay

What does it mean to be in this ranking?

Being in the top 10% of researchers with the most impact in the State is not only a personal merit; it also reflects the quality of the research done in Tarragona and at the URV. This visibility can open doors to international collaborations and funding, an essential oxygen for research in the region.

Challenges and opportunities for local researchers

But it also highlights the need to continue promoting female presence in science, especially in fields still dominated by men. URV and Tarragona have a clear asset in their most outstanding researchers, but the competition does not slacken.

A ranking that not only counts numbers but also shows the real weight of our local research. And the reality is that Tarragona has a lot to say.

Source of the article: Universitat Rovira i Virgili