"Josefa Fernández López is a PhD from the School of Forestry at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and develops her research activity at the Forestry Research Center of Lourizán, in Pontevedra. Is specialized in the genetic resources of woody species in subjects ranging from the study of the geographical structure of natural populations to breeding activities.
The chestnut research program, coordinated since 1988, includes activities aimed at the selection, breeding and description of materials for the production of chestnut, wood and multipurpose, including techniques of propagation, molecular identification and resistance to Dryocosmus kuriphilus, Phytophthora cinnamomi and Chryphonectria parasitica. The program has extensive collections of Castanea sativa and inter-specific hybrids. The studies of the geographic structure of C. sativa in Western Europe and those of genetic control of diverse characteristics of adaptive and economic interest stand out."
