Investigo 2023-2024 Program

Research activity is increasingly subject to regulation. Ethical criteria for research involving humans or animals, protection of personal data, biodiversity, dual use of technologies, damage to the environment (DNSH principle, Do Not Cause Significant Harm). Complying with all these regulations requires analyzing research proposals in the light of the corresponding ethical regulations and performing compliance checking and reporting actions.

• Research and analysis of norms and regulations on ethical and regulatory criteria for human or animal research, protection of personal data, biodiversity, dual use of technologies, environmental damage (DNSH principle, Do Not Cause Significant Harm).
• Preparation of reports and training and informative material on ethics in research in ecological transition, energy and digitalization at the UPV.
• Participation in training activities and dissemination of ethical regulations in research.
• Analysis of UPV research proposals reviewed within the framework of the Research Ethics Committee in the aforementioned areas.
• Testing and reporting actions on compliance and development of research proposals.
• Analysis and implementation of proposals for improvement of the activities related to the CEI and development of training activities.
• Evaluation of compliance with the scientific integrity policy and good research practices at the UPV.
• And any other activity related to research and training in research ethics at the UPV.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

In recent years there has been a growing demand for healthy and high nutritional quality products. An urban initiative that is promoting this type of food is the implementation of urban gardens, with ecological and sustainable management, which have grown considerably in recent years. In this context, the germplasm bank of the UPV has an extensive and valuable collection of native vegetables of our Community. We request two researchers with an agronomic profile in order to initiate the implementation of urban gardens in the Vera Campus of the UPV, contributing to the use of the collection available in the UPV itself while contributing to a more diverse and healthy food. The people hired will have to carry out a previous research work in order to study the location of the gardens, their design, appropriate combination of different crops according to their growing season and characteristics, collection and dissemination among users, from the university community and outside it. The training in agronomic issues that the people who obtain the contract will receive is highly valued in companies involved in the breeding of commercial vegetable hybrids.

• Research on the development and implementation of urban gardens.
• Evaluation of the possible locations of urban orchards in the different campuses of the UPV.
• Selection of locations for the orchards in the different UPV campuses.
• Selection of materials from the Germplasm Bank and other vegetable banks for the implementation of vegetable gardens at the UPV.
• Maintenance and valorization of the urban orchards created.
• Design of the plan for the use of the products of the urban gardens created.
• Development of dissemination, training and citizen participation activities related to the activity in the UPV urban gardens.
• Report writing and data curation for dissemination and open use.
• Participation in training and follow-up meetings.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

The germplasm bank of the Universitat Politènica de Valencia conserves one of the largest vegetable collections in Spain with more than 13000 different varieties. This collection is indispensable to preserve the genetic diversity of this type of crops, which has been strongly diminished due to genetic erosion caused by various social, environmental and economic factors. The management of the collection is a challenge that could be facilitated by optimizing the management of all the data generated, both in terms of origin and phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the entries. In recent years, the participation of the bank in several European projects funded by the H2020 program has generated a large amount of genotyping data from thousands of entries.  The processing and analysis of these data should be performed by professionals with expertise in this field. We are requesting two researchers with a Biotechnology or bioinformatics profile capable of analyzing the large amount of genotyping data generated. The training of the person to be hired in this field, of maximum actuality at the present time, will increase their opportunities for future hires.

• Optimization of germplasm databases and the UPV Germplasm Bank database, as well as associated web pages.
• Design of tools and applications for the management of data available in the germplasm bank for horticultural entries: origin data and phenotypic characterization by resistance traits and metabolic profile.
• Design of tools and applications for the management of phenotyping and genotyping data available in the Germplasm Bank input collections.
• Investigation of the association between genotypic and phenotypic data.
• Treatment and analysis of available data to optimize collection management.
• Design of activities to disseminate the results obtained.
• Preparation of the documentation with the results obtained in the different tests.
• Participation in training, planning and supervision meetings.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

Today’s R&D generates and uses enormous amounts of data. One of the key processes ofbig data is the preparation of the data to be processed in your analytics or artificial intelligence. The tasks to be performed will consist of the so-called data curation, which involves the detection of incomplete, incorrect, anomalous and other types of contamination, cleaning and indexing and saving of databases, including when these are distributed, so that they present the appropriate quality for their analysis by algorithms or their visualization to generate correct information.  These tasks will be managed as a service that can be provided to research projects carried out at the UPV. The contact with high-level researchers in this field will be an essential training for the contracted staff increasing their employability in companies in the sector or institutions.

• Research in methodologies for R&D&I data analysis. Preparation of training documentation.
• Curation of research activity indicator data at the UPV: detection of incomplete, incorrect, anomalous and other types of contamination, cleaning, indexing and saving of the databases.
• Data curation activities for research projects of the research structures of the UPV.
• Development of tools for the organization of information on research activity indicators of the UPV.
• Research and development of new research activity evaluation indicators.
• Development of specific tools for data management of research projects of the UPV structures.
• Writing of reports and statistics.
• Training activities in research data management and analysis.
• Participation in planning and follow-up meetings and training meetings with researchers.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

In order to align UPV research with the principles of Open Science, the aim is to evaluate the degree of real compliance, its possible causes and solutions, with the ultimate goal of disseminating and promoting Open Science (Open Science). This includes not only open access publications (Open Access), but also the data (Open Data), the software (Open source software & hardware) or research methodologies (Open notebooks), without forgetting the Open Academic Social Networks (Open Academic Social Networking Sites). We are looking for a researcher with an ICT profile or similar to evaluate, research, develop and help implement the necessary changes. This profile will also contribute to support researchers in the creation of research data management plans, achieving an adequate dissemination in accordance with European and Spanish regulations. Didactic material and specific actions will be generated in order to increase the effective support to UPV researchers.

• Identification of methods that promote and disseminate open science, ensure research communication and new research evaluation strategies.
• Evaluate, research, develop and help implement the necessary changes.
• Development of models, methodologies and strategies that can be applied to these and other fields.
• Analysis of FAIR data repositories.
• Collaboration with UPV researchers for the creation of research data management plans, generating didactic material and specific actions aimed at increasing support to UPV researchers.
• Planning and development of training and scientific dissemination activities for research units.
• Collaboration in training and information dissemination activities, in courses and workshops, working sessions and personal advice to researchers.
• Participation in conferences, courses and other events to disseminate results to researchers at the UPV and other collaborating institutions, promoting the dissemination of Open Science in the university community and society as a whole.
• Performing retrospective tasks for the full implementation of open science.
• Attendance to meetings in other Spanish and international universities or entities to exchange experiences and success stories, comparing, exchanging and learning new strategies on Citizen Science issues within the framework of the European activities carried out by HRS4R and CoARA.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

Today’s R&D generates and uses enormous amounts of data. One of the key processes ofbig data is the visualization of the information contained in the data by means of a wide range of graphs and techniques. The tasks to be carried out will consist in the design of ways of representing the data and of tools that allow such representations. These tasks will be managed as a lendable service to research projects carried out at the UPV. The joint work between artists and scientists can incorporate new approaches to the results obtained, bringing to the analysis of the data new images that communicate ideas in a more efficient and innovative way.

• Participation in meetings with researchers in the fields of art and data management and digitization of the UPV. Research in new data visualization strategies.
• Organization of research activity indicators at the UPV.
• Design of forms of representation of the data of the research activity at the UPV, in collaboration with artists of the UPV.
• Development of tools for the representation of research activity data at the UPV.
• Organization of dissemination and citizen participation conferences related to the research activities developed.
• Report writing and preparation of training material.
• Participation in training, dissemination, planning and follow-up activities.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

A research profile in nutrition and dietetics is requested to improve awareness in the university community of the importance of healthy and sustainable food. A study of eating habits and an analysis of the offers available in the surroundings close to the different UPV campuses will be carried out. Training sessions will be planned for the different groups. The tutoring of the person hired will be carried out by expert researchers in the field, coordinated with staff of the corresponding vice-rectorate, and will consist of two scheduled monthly meetings, in addition to those necessary for the proper monitoring of the activity. The activities will be charged to the budget of the corresponding service or vice-rectorate.

• Compile information on the menus and food offer available in all food services of the UPV (catering and vending).
• Study and evaluate the nutritional composition of the menus and food offered, recommending improvements to promote a healthier and more balanced diet.
• Collect information on food waste, environmental impact and sustainability in all UPV food services.
• Evaluate the environmental impact and sustainability of current practices in the different food services, considering aspects such as carbon footprint, water footprint, animal welfare and organic or sustainable production, as appropriate.
• Analyze and promote proximity trade to reduce the carbon footprint and support local producers.
• Analyze waste generation in food service and propose recycling and waste reduction strategies.
• Collaborate in the development of training and awareness programs aimed at the university community to promote healthier, more sustainable and environmentally friendly food.
• Participate in the development of a communication strategy with the university community regarding the promotion of conscious eating through the digitization of food services.
• Participate in planning and follow-up meetings and training activities.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

This application proposes 3 innovative institutional projects of research activities in the fields of health, ecological and energy transition and digitization. The proposed activities will promote research in these areas of different research groups at the UPV. For this reason, it is proposed the hiring of three managers, one specialized in each area, responsible for monitoring and control of projects and support for new projects arising from the implementation and dissemination of the same. The main objective is to ensure that the projects are developed as established and within the proposed timeframe, complying with all economic and monitoring reporting obligations, observing the information and publicity requirements imposed by the EU Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. They will support in the justification of the fulfillment of the subsidized actions and in the presentation of the expenses incurred, providing information that will allow the financier to analyze the fulfillment of the committed objectives. They will have to coordinate with the Human Resources Service for the processing of employment contracts, extensions and cancellations among others.  The experience gained will be essential to improve their employability in research management tasks, an essential field nowadays.

• Analysis and development of research calls.
• Collaboration in the preparation and justification of applications for public calls and technological offers. Advice on research and innovation.
• Follow-up of Research, Development and Innovation projects.
• Preparation of reports, annual reports and other types of scientific-technical and economic documentation on research, development and innovation activities.
• Dissemination and dissemination of Research, Development and Innovation activities, such as organization and coordination of meetings, courses, congresses and technical conferences.
• Coordination with the Human Resources Service for labor contracts, extensions and cancellations, etc.
• And any other tasks that may arise from the execution of the project/program.

The recruitment of this profile in the framework of the Investigo program in the UPV Research Ethics Committee (from now on, CEI) had a remarkable impact for this unit. Its incorporation has made it possible to address challenges that until now the IRB had not been able to consider, optimizing the relationship between the IRB and the university community.

The main function of the IRB is to evaluate and issue reports on research projects or works in order to ensure the integrity of scientific production at the UPV. This function, which is already of vital importance per se, is becoming increasingly relevant, since more and more scientific production, promotion, dissemination or funding entities consider it a fundamental requirement that the scientific production to be created, promoted, disseminated or funded has a positive ethical report.

In recent years, the number of projects to be reported to the IRB has grown exponentially. This has not only complicated the initial review of proposals, but has also made it difficult for the IRB to carry out other functions, such as ensuring the dissemination of laws, regulations and reports published on research ethics, promoting debate in the university community and among the public on research ethics issues, and raising awareness of good research practices.

One of the research tasks carried out by the contracted technician consisted of evaluating the evolution of the functions of the CEI in recent years (2006-2024), the number of projects presented and reported, their classification by type and gender of the principal investigator, the analysis of the corrections made and the time invested. During this period, more than 1200 projects have been evaluated, most of them concentrated in recent years. In 2023 alone, 223 projects involving human subjects or research animals, genetically modified organisms or biosafety issues were reported. This analysis, which includes the preparation of annual reports, has made it possible to highlight the role played by the IRB and to make forecasts considering short-term evolution trends.

On the other hand, prior to the meetings, the technician has carried out an ex ante review of the projects presented, helping to make corrections before the corresponding plenary meeting, in order to minimize the number of projects with a conditional or pending favorable report due to lack of documentation or lack of depth in the treatment of key aspects.

Another of the functions of the technician has been to update the compilation of legislation and regulations affecting research projects developed within the UPV. She has also carried out a review of the codes of management of conflicts of interest in research and generated a proposal for updating the UPV’s own code. Within the revision of the regulations, it was also in charge of the proposals for the revision of the CEI’s own regulations before they were approved by the Governing Council.

With the same objective of improving relations between the IRB and the university community, the technician has developed guides to facilitate the submission of forms for the study of projects by the IRB. The development of these guides has contributed to reduce the number of personalized attention to the usual doubts that arise among the people responsible for research. On the other hand, the number of observations made by the IRB plenary to the evaluated projects has decreased, since the proposals are much better oriented and complete.

Under this same heading, the technician has been in charge of modifying the structure and contents of the CEI’s web page to improve its usability and accessibility to the key elements that CEI users should find, the dissemination of the scientific integrity policy and good practices in research, meeting schedules and current regulations.

Finally, the training of the technician has been considered a key aspect in her functions. In this sense, the investigo technician has been trained in research ethics in ecological transition, energy and digitization of the UPV through the courses of theTRREE’s:Training programme on the Ethics and Regulation of Health Research involving Human participantsThe main objectives of the program are: to promote the development of the research ethics in human and animal research, the extensive reading of bibliography or the attendance to congresses and meetings on ethics in human and animal research, ecological transition and digitization.

All these activities could hardly have been carried out without the funding acquired under the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, in accordance with the public subsidies for the financing of the “Investigo Program” called by Resolution of December 17, 2021 of the State Public Employment Service, with funds from the European Union,Next Generation EU.

In summary, the work of the technician has made an invaluable contribution to optimizing the development of the CEI’s functions and addressing with the appropriate depth some of them that had been postponed due to lack of personnel. All of this has resulted in a greater benefit for the university community specifically served by this service and the research community in general.

Throughout this first year of the contract, a literature review of similar projects has been carried out, both in other Spanish, European and international university campuses, as well as urban garden initiatives in Valencia and other cities in Spain and the world. The objective of this analysis was to elaborate proposals adapted to UPV campuses, starting with the Vera campus as a model. After evaluating the areas of the Vera campus with potential to host these projects and holding several meetings with the Vice Rectorate for Sustainable Campus Development, it was decided to discard some of the proposals (figs. 3 and 4) and formulate the final proposal for the other areas (figs. 1 and 2).

In addition, in parallel to these analyses, the GLOCAL 2024 call for proposals was requested, and the proposal was among those selected for funding. The proposal consisted of holding a conference to involve the university community in the relevance of the conservation and maintenance of traditional varieties at a social and territorial level, as well as at a scientific level. The proposal also included participants from universities that already have university gardens and serve as an inspiring example of cultivation projects on university campuses that promote sustainability, inclusion and community engagement. The proposal also included a seed conservation workshop and a visit to the germplasm bank of the University Institute for the Conservation and Improvement of Valencian Agrodiversity (COMAV). The attendees were also provided with a session guide that included some of the seeds of the traditional varieties present in the COMAV (fig. 6). The workshop was attended by Llavors d’ací, Connecta Natura, technical staff from the University of Malaga (UMA) and COMAV and was held on October 1, 2024 (fig. 5). It was attended by more than 20 people, including undergraduate, master’s and senior university students, professors and technicians (fig. 7). Funding proposals are being made to carry out new workshops, as well as other training and awareness-raising activities.

In addition, as another task of dissemination of the work done, during March 14, 2024 a small talk (fig. 8) was held during the event ‘Walk & Talk’ developed in Valencia for a group of the ENHANCE alliance.  The talk was attended by representatives of Technische Universität Berlin (Germany), Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), Gdansk University of Technology (Poland), RWTH Aachen University (Germany), Universitat Politècnica de València (Spain) and Warsaw University of Technology (Poland). The advantages of this project were discussed, as well as initiatives that are being developed within the universities of the alliance.

Likewise, throughout this year, the drafting and organization of all the collaborators for the application of several national and international subsidies has been carried out, for which a resolution is pending. Learning, therefore, to manage the drafting times, budget management, personnel and different sections of each of these grants.

Throughout this first year of the contract, the tasks performed have been mainly directed to the management of both the information already existing in the COMAV germplasm bank and the information obtained in the regeneration and characterization trials, mainly of cucurbits, carried out during this period of time.  

One of the works developed during this first year consisted of the treatment and study of phenotypic data, as well as the statistical analysis of data corresponding to quantitative characters. At the same time, work has been done on modifying the structure of the characterization databases of some crops, increasing the number of descriptors used in order to complete the accessions so far existing in the bank’s databases. As part of the objective of knowledge, registration and dissemination of the diversity existing in the bank, work has also been done on the arrangement and codification of the images obtained in the aforementioned trials.

Other tasks performed during this period have been related to the recording of information arising from routine tasks carried out in the following areas

the germplasm bank, such as the incorporation of new accessions, germination data, incoming and outgoing materials, registration of requests, maintenance of stocks, etc. All of these tasks are essential for an adequate management of the collection, with the aim of providing a good service and being able to offer the conserved materials to the great diversity of users of the bank.

In order to facilitate access to information on the materials that make up the collection, work has recently begun to improve the UPV microweb created by the personnel of the germplasm bank.

Finally, we searched the websites of different national and international germplasm banks to gather information to complete the missing passport data in the case of accessions belonging to other institutions.

All this with the aim of completing as far as possible in the database the great genetic and phenotypic diversity that comprises the germplasm bank of the UPV, as well as to provide the highest quality and information to citizens and researchers who make use of our service to meet their needs.

Throughout the first year of the contract, different objectives have been defined and addressed. The first of these consisted of renewing the UPV research activity report, where it was decided to improve both the graphs used and the information displayed.

Currently, the application that generates the report automatically accesses a relational database of the UPV and renders, according to its own templates, the set of graphics and design elements laid out in the final PDF.

The next objective consisted in the development of a web page on the same information as mentioned above, i.e., the research activity of the UPV. The reason for the development of this web page lies in the need to provide greater versatility to the information shown. As can be seen in Image 1, the renewal of the report only provides static information. With this new report we offer a flexible and customized visualization. As can be seen in Image 2, the web page consists of a block where the different sections and subsections on which different information can be displayed are housed. In addition, filters and comparisons can be made on this information, both in the aforementioned block and in the graphs block.

Finally, various automations have been carried out for different repetitive tasks, such as the handling of applications for Subprogram 2 or for the ROE. For this purpose, by means ofweb scrapping access to the requests made has been managed and automatically filled in Word format files as well as elements of the typeinput in web pages.

During the first year of the contract, the following activities have been carried out:

Launching of the UPV Production Portal and dissemination campaign of the María de Guzmán Project: The Library does it for you.

UPV production portal: Dissemination, visibility and academic support

In an effort to improve visibility and access to scientific, artistic and academic production, the university will launch around Open Access Week 2024 a web portal intended to become a showcase from which to publicize the work developed by members of the university community.

In addition to being a showcase for production, the portal is designed as an effective support for the management of the curriculum system, offering teachers a space where they can organize, present and keep their academic and scientific profiles up to date for evaluations and accreditations. The platform will make it possible to easily manage professional data, facilitating the presentation of merits before internal and external evaluation processes.

Advertising campaign for the María de Guzmán Project: The Library does it for you.

The same event will also be used to publicize the recently completed María de Guzmán Project, whose slogan, “.The Library does it for you“reflects the central objective of the initiative: the reduction of bureaucracy for teachers in the management of the curriculum system.

The project has focused on simplifying the administrative procedures and processes involved in curricular activities, with the Library taking over part of the deposit of publications in Senia and thus allowing teachers to devote more time to what really matters: teaching and research.

During the official presentation of the platform, the new functionalities will be explained and questions about the implementation of the system will be answered. Dissemination material has been prepared and will be handed out at the event.

Due to the current climate situation and society’s increasing concern for the environment and the maintenance of good health, the UPV aims to be a model for the university community in terms of preserving the ecosystem and preventing the environmental impact caused by everyday tasks, as well as being a suitable place to promote a healthy and environmentally sustainable diet.

During this year, in collaboration with UPV Healthy, the Environment Unit (UMA), the Center for Rural Studies and International Agriculture (CERAI) and the cafeterias of the 3 campuses of the UPV (Vera, Alcoi and Gandía), we have investigated and obtained the perceptions that workers and students have about the current environmental crisis and how aware they are of the transition to more sustainable daily habits. In addition, we have assessed for the whole year, both nutritionally and the level of food waste of the menus offered in the cafeterias of the campus. All this was carried out with the aim of finding out the possible barriers presented by the university and exploring the possibilities of improving the menus towards a healthier and more sustainable model.

To achieve this objective, a study was conducted in several parts. The first part was carried out through an anonymous survey that was distributed in online format, which included questions about the concept of sustainability and knowledge about the initiatives proposed by the university on it, the acceptance of the food offered on campus, the management of food waste and citizen awareness of the impact of daily activities.

As a result, it was found that the population interviewed has basic knowledge about sustainability and shows some concern about the environmental impact caused by daily activities and food waste. As an area for improvement we found that it is necessary to promote participation in sustainable initiatives and practices. On the other hand, regarding the opinions on the food offered on campus, there is a certain tendency towards the consumption of healthier and km0 products. Therefore, a greater incorporation within the menus and vending machines could be a possible solution.

The other part of the study was based on the nutritional assessment and food waste at each stage of the life cycle of the menus offered throughout the year in the cafeterias of the different campuses of the UPV (Vera, Alcoi and Gandía).

The nutritional value was calculated using the IENVA diet calculator (available online) obtaining for each dish the macronutrients and micronutrients valuation. For the calculation of energy value (kcal), the values of protein, total carbohydrates, total fat and dietary fiber were taken into account, considering the corresponding conversion factors.

For the total food wastage of each dish, the percentage of product lost at each stage of its life cycle before consumption and the serving size in grams of each dish were taken into account.

Also, due to the barriers presented by the university and as part of the project, in parallel, in collaboration with REUPS and healthy UPV, a day against food waste was held “Take advantage, don’t throw away, THE REMAINS ADD UP”. In this way we wanted to give visibility both to what we waste when we eat or buy and to the possibility that with some basic knowledge of nutrition and food safety, we can make a difference.tips can help reduce food waste on a day-to-day basis.

To achieve this goal, we offered the university community a workshop based on providing examples of how to follow a good “route” from planning weekly menus to disposing of their waste. The day also featured a cooking session in which seasonal ingredients were the protagonists, emphasizing the promotion of a healthy diet and sustainability for the environment.

At the same time, cross-cutting activities related to food waste and healthy nutrition have been carried out this year, such as training activities, courses, congresses, conferences and seminars.

Throughout the first year of the contract, numerous and varied tasks have been carried out by the contracted technician. Firstly, the integral management of all the Investigo Program grants awarded to the UPV, working in coordination with the Conselleria and the Ministry, and carrying out the scientific-technical and economic reports, as well as the monthly monitoring required by the Ministry.

In addition, we have collaborated closely with Human Resources of the UPV for the execution of the relevant contracts and addenda. Scientific-technical and economic justifications have also been made for other grants: FPI, FPU, ACIF, APOSTD, IJC, RYC, PTA, Grisolia, among others. Likewise, in relation to the economic justifications, reimbursements of the amount of unused aid have been made. Also, the corresponding funding body has been notified of resignations, withdrawals and defenses of doctoral theses in each case.

Training has been provided on how to accept, manage and respond to notifications through Facilita and Registro Geiser, and the company has participated in the dissemination of calls for proposals through the publication of the Flash I+D+i aimed at the university community.

Likewise, during the year, experience has been acquired in all stages of the grant cycle (call for proposals, dissemination, submission of applications, provisional list, final list, contracts, scientific-technical and economic justification), increasing the capacity to react to tight deadlines and possible changes in the management of the unit.