Alba Filella’s research focuses on marine microbial biogeochemistry, with particular emphasis on how nutrient cycling shapes microbial physiology, elemental stoichiometry, and the functioning of ocean planktonic food webs. She aims to connect processes across different components of the plankton, from bacteria and phytoplankton to microbial predators, in order to understand how cellular-level dynamics scale up to ecosystem biogeochemistry.

She applies an integrative experimental approach combining laboratory cultures, mesocosm experiments, and field-relevant observations with molecular and single-cell techniques. This includes stable isotope incubations, macromolecular analyses, and genomic approaches. Alba has developed an international research profile across Spain, Germany, France, and the USA, with a PhD from the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography and postdoctoral experience at the University of Arizona. Throughout her career, she has contributed to collaborative, interdisciplinary projects and has been involved in mentoring, science communication, and academic service activities.

She recently joined the Massana group at ICM-CSIC, where she will work on the dynamics of heterotrophic flagellates in BBMO, contribute to the expansion of single-cell genomics datasets through WGA, and investigate protein turnover and nutrient recycling during phagocytosis in laboratory cultures, integrating genomic, metabolic, and biogeochemical perspectives.