Obituary for Prof. Yolanda Pico

With great respect and appreciation, we acknowledge the outstanding contributions of Prof. Yolanda Picó to Water Emerging Contaminants & Nanoplastics (WECN) as an Associate Editor. Her invaluable expertise and dedication have significantly shaped the journal’s development and impact in the field of environmental and water chemistry.

Prof. Yolanda Picó was a full professor of Nutrition and Food Chemistry and a researcher at the Desertification Research Center (CIDE) of the University of Valencia. She coordinates the Food Safety and Environmental Research Group (SAMA-UV) and has dedicated over 30 years to advancing analytical methodologies in environmental and food chemistry. Her research has substantially contributed to understanding the impact of both conventional and emerging contaminants in the context of climate change and human development.

As an Associate Editor of WECN, Prof. Picó has played a crucial role in overseeing the peer review process, ensuring rigorous scientific standards, and maintaining the journal’s commitment to publishing high-quality research. She has provided critical evaluations during the initial and final review stages, helping to uphold the journal’s integrity and scholarly excellence.

Beyond her editorial responsibilities, Prof. Picó has actively contributed to the journal as an author. She has published two influential articles: Microplastics in Water, from Treatment Process to Drinking Water: Analytical Methods and Potential Health Effects (July 15, 2022)^[1] and Environmental Proteomics: A Potential Tool in Wastewater-Based Epidemiology (April 6, 2023)^[2]. These publications have provided significant insights into pressing environmental challenges, addressing critical issues such as microplastic contamination in water systems and the application of proteomics in wastewater surveillance.

Throughout her distinguished career, Prof. Picó has authored over 300 SCI-indexed publications, contributed more than 20 book chapters, and edited five internationally recognized books, some of which have been translated into multiple languages. She has also curated Special Issues for several high-impact journals. Her research has been supported by numerous national and international projects, including grants from the Valencian government under the Prometheus program.

Prof. Picó has been an active member of several national and international advisory boards, lending her expertise to organizations such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Expert Panel on Plant Protection Products and Their Residues (2009-2012), the Water Joint Programming Initiative (Water JPI, 2019-present), and the Advisory Board of the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA, 2019-present). Furthermore, she has served as an evaluator for the European Union’s Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Framework Programs, as well as the Horizon 2020 initiative.

Her research interests encompass a wide range of critical topics, including water quality, water pollution, exposure assessment, human health effects, dietary exposure, food safety, endocrine disruptors, and pharmaceutical residues. Her extensive contributions to these areas have helped shape policies and best practices for environmental protection and public health.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Prof. Yolanda Picó for her unwavering dedication to WECN and her broader impact on the scientific community. Her leadership, scholarly contributions, and editorial expertise continue to be instrumental in advancing research on water contaminants and sustainable environmental solutions.