PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Enrique Alba

Also known as Enrique Alba Torres

Enrique Alba is a full professor of computer science at the University of Málaga, where he leads the NEO (Networking and Emerging Optimization) group. He earned his doctorate there in 1999 with work on parallel and distributed genetic algorithms, now better known as neuroevolution. In September 2021 he joined the executive agency of the European Research Council in Brussels as a national expert. Google Scholar credited his work with more than 24,700 citations as of 2024. In May 2026 Research.com ranked him 17th among Spanish computer scientists.

Now at
University of Málaga
Works
631
Citations
16,531
h-index
62

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 15 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1999

    A doctorate on genetic algorithms

    He completes a doctorate at the University of Málaga in 1999, with a thesis on designing and analyzing parallel and distributed genetic algorithms, now better known as neuroevolution.

  2. 2021–2026

    National expert at the ERC

    He joins the executive agency of the European Research Council in Brussels as a national expert in September 2021, and the secondment ends in February 2026.

  3. July 2022

    An MIT seminar on ERC funding

    In July 2022 he speaks at an MIT CSAIL seminar on the ERC and its funding system.

  4. 2024

    More than 24,700 citations

    Google Scholar credits his work with more than 24,700 citations as of 2024, with an h-index of 72.

  5. 2026

    A sabbatical at UCL

    His sabbatical at UCL in London runs until September 2026.

  6. May 2026

    A Research.com ranking

    In May 2026 Research.com ranks him 17th among Spanish computer scientists, the highest-ranked University of Málaga researcher in that list.

  7. As of October 2026

    Full professor and NEO leader

    At the University of Málaga he is a full professor of computer science and leads the NEO (Networking and Emerging Optimization) group.

Sources and credits

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  1. Enrique Alba - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 15 October 2026.
  2. ENRIQUE ALBA TORRES - Universidad de Málaga portaldelainvestigacion.uma.es. Checked 15 October 2026.
  3. Enrique Alba appointed Senior National Expert at the European Research Council Executive Agency – ITIS UMA itis.uma.es. Checked 15 October 2026.
  4. Enrique Alba: European Research Council (ERC): Founding Best Research Around the World | MIT CSAIL csail.mit.edu. Checked 15 October 2026.
  5. Enrique Alba, ITIS UMA Researcher, Among Spain’s Top 20 Computer Scientists According to Research.com itis.uma.es. Checked 15 October 2026.