Biography

I am the Emerging Group Leader of the Stem Cells and Translational Neurology laboratory at CABIMER (h-index 22; 44 publications; 1555 citations). I hold a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Valencia (2011), awarded with competitive fellowships (V Segles and FPU). My doctoral research on neurogenesis and neurotoxicity, demonstrating the detrimental effects of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea on brain function (Eur J Neurosci and Plos One), was recognized with the Luis Vives Award from the Rotary Foundation (2006). At that time, I joined the CIBERNED and Red TerCel to contribute to the neuroscience field. My doctoral training included several research stays at Johns Hopkins University (USA), where I was recruited in 2012 as a postdoctoral researcher to contribute to an R01 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), reinforcing my international scientific profile. During my postdoctoral stage in USA, I investigated how aging and radiation affect the brain, showing detrimental effects on the neural stem cell niches (Glia and Stem Cells). In addition, I contributed to demonstrate that NHE9 drives oncogenic signaling in glioblastoma (Nat Commun). In 2014, I returned to Spain and joined the CABIMER, Seville, obtaining competitive national contracts (Sara Borrell and Juan de la Cierva) to investigate the therapeutic application of stem cells and diverse human diseases (Mol Ther, Mol Ther Nucl Acid, J Pineal Res, Aging and Stem Cells). Building on this experience, I decided to integrate the knowledge gained throughout my career to establish my own independent research program, focused on advanced therapies and neuro-oncology.

In 2020, I obtained the prestigious Miguel Servet contract and was promoted to Emerging Group Leader and Scientific Coordinator of the Cytometry Unit at CABIMER, where I currently hold a Ramón y Cajal contract (with R3 certification), consolidating my leadership within the center. My group is composed of 1 Group Leader (myself), 2 postdoctoral researcher, 2 PhD students, 1 trainee researchers and 1 lab manager/technician. To date, we have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) alleviate the neurological sequelae of radiotherapy by modulating neuroinflammation and that MSCs exert anti-tumor effects in glioblastoma, thereby contributing to the development of innovative strategies for cancer treatment. In addition, we use patient-derived iPSC technology and brain organoids to develop more human-relevant disease models and enhance translational research. In the last years, I have registered 6 patents and published several articles in top journals (e.g., Theranostics, PNAS, Cell Metabolism, Commun Biol, Front Immunol, Cancers), many as last and corresponding author. I obtain overlapping funding for my scientific program from national, regional, and international sources, including Horizon Europe, acting as Principal Investigator or Group Lider of 12 competitive grants and 20 competitive contracts/fellowships. Furthermore, I lead crowdfunding projects and collaboration agreements with a patient association and a biotech company that further support our research and facilitate direct engagement with end-users.

As group leader, I have trained and mentored multiple MSc/PhD students and postdocs worldwide. Some have continued their careers at prestigious institutions like Max Planck Institute, University of North Carolina and Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center, while others have joined my group from abroad, including postdocs from the Erasmus University Rotterdam and the University of Copenhagen, reflecting the international impact of my group and research. Notably, members of my group have obtained highly competitive contracts under my supervision, including Juan de la Cierva, Sara Borrell, FPU, La Caixa INPhINIT, and Marie Curie, which evidence the strong scientific and training environment of our lab. Furthermore, I am editor and reviewer in scientific journals (e.g., Mol Ther, Leukemia, Communic Biol, Cell Death & Discovery, Molecular Neurodegeneration, Front Cel Neurosci, Stem Cells Transl Med), panel member and/or project evaluator for the Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI) Council, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Agencia Estatal de Investigación and Junta de Andalucia, as well as member of thesis committee in top universities (e.g., Autonomous University of Madrid), and Professor in Master Degrees. I have participated in 55 congresses, including EACR, SNO and FENS, and have been invited speaker at events such as the Cancer Research Conferences “Humanizing from the Laboratory”, organized by AECC-UCLM Chair, the Symposium III Semana de Cajal, organized by the Cátedras UAM, and the UniStem Day organized by the University of Milan. In addition, I have performed multiple dissemination activities, serving as coordinator of the CABIMER Scientific Communication and Outreach Advisory Group and of the CONÓCELAS event organized by the Asociación Española de Investigación sobre el Cáncer (ASEICA). The commitment I have to disseminate science has been awarded multiple times with the Prize for the Promotion of Scientific Vocations from Fundación Merck Salud-ASEICA. During my career, I have established a large collaboration network with researchers from top institutions worldwide (e.g., Karolinska Institutet, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Instituto Cajal). This research network has been supported by my involvement in national and European research networks, such as COST Actions (CorEuStem and Net4Brain), Red TerCel, ASEICA and GEINO.