José Manuel González Irusta is a Spanish postdoctoral researcher at the Azores Deep-Sea Research group, where he develops habitat suitability models for deep-sea benthic species as part of the EU ATLAS project. His scientific career began in 2003 at the University of Cantabria, where he later completed his PhD in 2009. Following his doctorate, he worked at several research centers, including the Canary Islands Oceanographic Center (2010–2011), contributing to the INDEMARES project on the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. He then joined Marine Scotland Science (2012–2015), applying spatial models to predict the distribution of functional habitats for commercially important species in the North Sea. Subsequently, he moved to the University of the Azores taking up his postdoctoral position.

His research focuses on improving our understanding of how natural and anthropogenic environmental factors affect species distribution. His contributions have been instrumental in implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Spanish waters, with a particular emphasis on Descriptor 6 (Seafloor Integrity), which evaluates the impact of pressures such as bottom trawling on benthic habitats. In addition, he is deeply involved in scientific advisory work and represents Spain in various international forums.