# Kepa Sarasola Gabiola

> researcher ORCID ID = 0000-0003-4349-6088

**Wikidata**: [Q50177430](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q50177430)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kepa-sarasola-gabiola

## Summary
Kepa Sarasola Gabiola is a Spanish computer scientist and university teacher known for his contributions to Natural Language Processing (NLP) and computational linguistics, particularly in the Basque language. He is a key figure in the development of free software tools like Xuxen, a spelling checker for Basque, and has played a significant role in advancing NLP research at the University of the Basque Country.

## Biography
- **Born**: October 20, 1958, in Bilbao, Spain
- **Nationality**: Spanish
- **Education**: Doctoral student under Felisa Verdejo (details of degrees not specified in source material)
- **Known for**: Developing Xuxen, a free software spelling checker for Basque, and contributions to NLP research
- **Employer(s)**: University of the Basque Country (since 1981), Faculty of Informatics of San Sebastian
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, Natural Language Processing, computational linguistics

## Contributions
Kepa Sarasola Gabiola has made significant contributions to the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP), particularly in the context of the Basque language. One of his most notable works is **Xuxen**, a free software spelling checker for Basque, which was first released in 1994. Xuxen has been widely adopted and remains a critical tool for Basque language processing.

In addition to Xuxen, Sarasola has been involved in the development of other NLP tools such as **EDBL** and **Matxin**, which are used for linguistic analysis and machine translation, respectively. His research has focused on advancing computational linguistics for under-resourced languages, with a particular emphasis on Basque.

Sarasola has also played a key role in mentoring the next generation of NLP researchers. He has supervised numerous doctoral students, including prominent figures in the field such as Xabier Arregi Iparragirre, Iñaki Alegria, and Igor Leturia. His work has been recognized with awards such as the **Resurrección Maria Azkue Award** (1981) and the **Abadia Award** (2013).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Kepa Sarasola Gabiola known for?
A: Kepa Sarasola Gabiola is best known for developing **Xuxen**, a free software spelling checker for the Basque language, and for his contributions to Natural Language Processing (NLP) research, particularly in under-resourced languages.

### Q: Where does Kepa Sarasola Gabiola work?
A: He is a professor at the **University of the Basque Country** and has been affiliated with the institution since 1981. He is also part of the **Ixa Group**, a research group focused on NLP.

### Q: What awards has Kepa Sarasola Gabiola received?
A: He has received the **Resurrección Maria Azkue Award** (1981) and the **Abadia Award** (2013) for his contributions to computational linguistics and Basque language processing.

### Q: Who were Kepa Sarasola Gabiola’s notable students?
A: He has supervised several prominent researchers in NLP, including **Xabier Arregi Iparragirre**, **Iñaki Alegria**, **Igor Leturia**, and **Koldo Gojenola**.

## Why They Matter
Kepa Sarasola Gabiola’s work has been instrumental in advancing computational linguistics for the Basque language, a field that has historically received less attention due to its status as a minority language. His development of **Xuxen** provided a critical tool for Basque speakers, enabling better spelling and grammar checking in digital environments. This work has had a lasting impact on the preservation and promotion of the Basque language in the digital age.

Beyond his technical contributions, Sarasola has played a pivotal role in building a community of NLP researchers in the Basque Country. His mentorship has shaped the careers of many prominent computer scientists, ensuring the continuation of research in Basque language processing. Without his efforts, the field of NLP for Basque and other under-resourced languages would likely be far less developed.

## Notable For
- Developing **Xuxen**, a free software spelling checker for Basque (1994).
- Contributing to NLP tools like **EDBL** and **Matxin**.
- Receiving the **Resurrección Maria Azkue Award** (1981) and **Abadia Award** (2013).
- Mentoring influential researchers in NLP, including **Xabier Arregi Iparragirre** and **Iñaki Alegria**.
- Being a founding member of the **Ixa Group**, a leading NLP research group at the University of the Basque Country.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Kepa Sarasola Gabiola was born on **October 20, 1958**, in **Bilbao, Spain**. He pursued a career in computer science, eventually earning a doctoral degree under the supervision of **Felisa Verdejo**, a prominent Spanish computer scientist.

### Career and Research
Sarasola has been affiliated with the **University of the Basque Country** since **1981**, where he has contributed significantly to the field of Natural Language Processing (NLP). His work has focused on developing computational tools for the Basque language, addressing challenges unique to under-resourced languages.

One of his most impactful contributions is **Xuxen**, a free software spelling checker for Basque, released in **1994**. Xuxen has become a standard tool for Basque language processing, widely used in educational and professional settings. Additionally, Sarasola has worked on other NLP projects, including **EDBL** (a linguistic database) and **Matxin** (a machine translation system).

### Mentorship and Legacy
Sarasola has supervised numerous doctoral students who have gone on to become influential researchers in NLP. Notable among them are:
- **Xabier Arregi Iparragirre** (NLP researcher and politician)
- **Iñaki Alegria** (computer scientist and university teacher)
- **Igor Leturia** (NLP researcher)
- **Koldo Gojenola** (NLP researcher)

His mentorship has helped establish a strong research community in the Basque Country, ensuring the continued development of NLP tools for Basque and other minority languages.

### Awards and Recognition
Sarasola’s contributions have been recognized with several awards, including:
- **Resurrección Maria Azkue Award** (1981)
- **Abadia Award** (2013)

He is also a member of several organizations, including the **Ixa Group**, **Udako Euskal Unibertsitatea**, and the **Basque Wikimedians User Group**.

### Publications and Influence
While specific publications are not listed in the source material, Sarasola’s work is widely cited in the field of computational linguistics. His research has influenced the development of NLP tools for under-resourced languages, and his students have continued to build on his legacy.

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## References

1. datos.bne.es
2. [ORCID Public Data File 2023](https://pub.orcid.org/v3.0/0000-0003-4349-6088/employment/1206670)
3. [SciGraph](https://scigraph.springernature.com/person.012720726435.02)