A fascination with the invisible

For Diego Abalos, the journey into agricultural science began with microorganisms.

During his Master’s studies in Agricultural Engineering at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, a course in food microbiology sparked an unexpected fascination. What started as curiosity about microscopic organisms soon expanded into a deeper interest in soil microbes and the complex processes that regulate nitrogen cycling and greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural systems.

“I became fascinated by microorganisms and the invisible processes that drive biological systems,” he explains. 

As he continued his studies, he explored soil microorganisms and rumen microbiota, gradually focusing more and more on biogeochemical processes. That focus would later become the foundation of his research career.

A scientific journey across continents

Diego Abalos’ career has taken him through several of the world’s leading agricultural research environments.

After completing his PhD in Spain, he moved to Rothamsted Research in the United Kingdom, one of the world’s oldest agricultural research institutes. There he worked with isotope tracing techniques to better understand nitrogen transformations in soils.

His career then took him to Canada, where he expanded his expertise in modelling and micrometeorological measurement techniques – tools that allow researchers to quantify greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural fields.

Later, he spent two years at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, working on large international projects and strengthening his expertise in ecological principles and project management.

Throughout this journey, Diego Abalos deliberately built a broad scientific profile combining experimental work, modelling approaches and international collaboration.

Eventually, this path led him to Denmark.

“I was attracted both by the job opportunity and by Denmark itself,” he says. “The country has strong values and a commitment to environmental challenges.”

Today, based at AU Viborg, he hopes to contribute not only to research but also to the department and the wider society that welcomed him.

The challenge: making agriculture sustainable

At the core of Diego Abalos’ research lies one of the biggest challenges facing modern agriculture: how to produce food sustainably.

Agriculture must provide nutritious food and support economic livelihoods while also protecting biodiversity, improving soil health and reducing environmental pollution.

One issue has become particularly important: emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O), a powerful greenhouse gas produced in agricultural soils.

“Improving nitrogen use efficiency and reducing nitrous oxide emissions is one of the central challenges today,” Diego Abalos explains. 

This challenge is especially relevant for countries with large agricultural sectors, such as Denmark, where nitrogen management plays a key role in both climate policy and environmental protection.

From research to real-world impact

While the science behind nitrogen processes and greenhouse gas emissions can be highly complex, Diego Abalos is strongly motivated by the possibility of turning research into practical solutions.

His team is currently developing tools that help farmers manage nitrogen more efficiently in their fields, reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses. At the same time, the research contributes to developing new frameworks that help national authorities estimate agricultural nitrous oxide emissions more accurately. These frameworks can form the basis for policies and incentives that encourage farmers to adopt mitigation practices.

This ambition is also central to the upcoming AgNUE project that Diego Abalos is PI on, where research, policy and practice are brought together to develop integrated solutions for improved nitrogen management across agricultural systems.

Collaboration is essential to this work. Diego Abalos works closely with scientists, policymakers and farmers both in Denmark and internationally. By connecting research, policy and practice, he hopes to fundamentally improve how nitrogen is managed across agricultural systems.

The role of a professor

Becoming a professor represents an opportunity to strengthen that connection between science and society.

For Diego Abalos, the role comes with both responsibility and inspiration.

“It gives me a stronger opportunity to translate research into real-world impact,” he says. 

Mentoring young researchers is another important part of the job. Working with PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and international collaborators creates a dynamic environment where new ideas and approaches constantly emerge.

After many years in research, curiosity remains his strongest motivation.

New collaborations, mentoring young researchers, and testing new ideas continue to drive his work.

“There is always something exciting to explore if you stay curious and alert,” he says. 

Life beyond research

Outside his research, family plays a central role in Diego Abalos’ life. His wife and daughter are his main pillars, and despite a busy research schedule and frequent travel, he prioritises time with them.

Exercise is also an important part of his routine – he rarely goes a week without some form of physical activity – while long-standing friendships help him unwind when work becomes intense.

And when football is on, his loyalty is clear: he is a lifelong supporter of Atlético de Madrid.