Profile (CV) of the research teaching staff

Lázaro Fernández, Ana
Department: Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica
Field: Máquinas y Motores Térmicos
Faculty: Escuela de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Research Institute: INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIÓN EN INGENIERÍA DE ARAGÓN (I3A)

UNESCO codes
  • Transferencia de energía
  • Instrumentos de medida de la temperatura
  • Propiedades de los materiales
  • Transferencia de calor
  • Refrigeración
Academic position: Cated. Universidad

Academic position
  • Subdirectora de Infraestructuras y Servicios
ORCID number: 0000-0001-7360-4188

University degrees
  • Ingeniera Química. Universidad de Zaragoza. 2004

PhDs
  • Doctor por la Universidad de Zaragoza dentro del programa de tecnologías de climatización y eficiencia energética en edificios. Universidad de Zaragoza. 2009

Download curriculum in PDF format Go to ORCID page

 
               
I am an Associate Professor (Profesora Titular de Universidad) in the area of Thermal Engineering at the University of Zaragoza, where I lecturer in subjects such as Thermodynamics, Thermal Engineering, and Energy Optimization. I obtained my PhD on 2009 from the "Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Air Conditioning" program with a European Doctorate Mention. Since January 2023, I co-lead the Thermal Engineering and Energy Systems Research Group (GITSE) at the Engineering Research Institute of Aragon (I3A). With more than 15 years of experience at the School of Engineering and Architecture (EINA), I have made a significant effort to strengthen practical training, collaborating in the setting up of an educational HVAC testing facility and fostering industry relations through technical visits and the tutoring of internships. I have taught more than 3,300 hours in both Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. My career has been globally enhanced through international research stays at reference centers such as ZAE Bayern, the University of Birmingham, and the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica in Brazil.

My research activity began in thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs), ranging from the characterization of thermophysical properties to the development of PCM-to-air heat exchangers and PCM slurries. Always maintaining a practical approach toward energy efficiency and the reduction of energy consumption in buildings, I have extended my expertise to energy storage for polygeneration systems. My scientific work has resulted in more than 50 publications in JCR journals (more than 30 in the first quartile), exceeding 3,900 citations with an h-index of 25 (by May 2026). Furthermore, I have participated in more than 30 public funded projects—leading 12 of them, including 3 European ones—and I have led more than 20 technology transfer contracts with companies in the sector out of the 25 in which I have participated.

Currently, my scientific goals focus on the integration of thermal energy storage systems into solar-driven polygeneration solutions. This leadership results on my role as Principal Investigator for projects within the State R&D&i Plan (such as PID2023-148958OB-C21: Innovative strategies to achieve smart and sustainable polygeneration systems: a focus on life cycle analysis and predictive control models, currently ongoing) and in my strategic role in international organizations, having been a member of the executive committee of the EERA Joint Programme on Smart Cities and Task 55 of the International Energy Agency (IEA). My long-term vision seeks to consolidate thermal energy storage technologies and their optimal integration into energy systems to facilitate a transition toward sustainability and efficiency.

Finally, I maintain a firm commitment to R&D management and the development of the technological ecosystem, currently serving as part of the steering committee at I3A. I have played an active role in various IEA working groups (Annexes 17, 20 and Tasks 42, 58, and 67) and I coordinated the thermal storage subgroup in the FUTURED Inter-Platform Group. I am a member of associations such as ATECYR, ISES, and SCYTEF, and I participated in the first Thermal Storage Thematic Network.


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