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Alejandro Sánchez GraciaView profile

Associate Professor

• Molecular Evolutionary Genetics
• Population Genomics
• Comparative Genomics
• +3 more

Alejandro Sánchez Gracia is an Associate Professor at the Universitat de Barcelona's Faculty of Biology, affiliated with the Department of Genetics, Microbiology and Statistics. He leads the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics research group and directs the advanced course in 'Phylogenomics and Population Genomics: Inference and Applications.' Education: Llicenciat in Biology (Universitat de Barcelona, 1998), PhD in Biology (Universitat de Barcelona, 2006) Research Focus: Molecular mechanisms of chemosensory gene evolution in arthropods, development of bioinformatics tools for evolutionary and population genomics, and population genomics of adaptation in Drosophila. His work bridges computational methods with evolutionary biology, emphasizing genomic approaches to study adaptation. Key projects include analysis of chemoreceptor gene families across Panarthropoda, genomic studies of Canary Island endemic species, and development of tools like BITACORA for gene family annotation. He has contributed to major genomic resources such as DnaSP 6 and participated in initiatives like the Earth BioGenome Project. Active in collaborative networks like the European Drosophila Population Genomics Consortium and AdaptNET (Adaptive Genomics Network). Grants and Projects: 2021-2024: PID2020-113168GB-I00 (Ministry of Science, Spain) - Poligenic adaptation in Drosophila 2020-2021: Catalan blind scorpion genome project (Institut d'Estudis Catalans) Labs/Teams: Heads the Molecular Evolutionary Genetics group, collaborating on projects involving spider genomics, chemosensory evolution, and population-level adaptation studies.

Cristian Gómez CanelaView profile

Professor

• Environmental Toxicology
• Neurotoxicology
• Analytical Chemistry
• +5 more

Cristian Gómez Canela is a Full Professor in the Department of Analytical and Applied Chemistry at IQS School of Engineering (IQS - Institut Químic de Sarrià), specializing in environmental analytical chemistry with a focus on neurotoxicology and aquatic toxicology. He leads the Environmental Process Engineering and Simulation Group and maintains an active research profile with significant h-index metrics reflecting substantial scholarly impact. His research interests center on environmental toxicology, particularly neurotoxicology of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants in aquatic systems. Using advanced analytical techniques including liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry, his work examines the effects of neuroactive compounds on model organisms like zebrafish and Daphnia magna . His fingerprint reveals strong expertise in neurotransmitter analysis (66%), Daphnia magna toxicology (64%), serotonin-related research (27%), and neurotoxicity mechanisms (21%). His publication record shows consistent productivity with 92 scientific outputs, demonstrating increasing research activity from 2011 to the present, with particularly strong output in recent years (15 publications in 2024 alone). His work spans environmental chemistry, toxicology, and analytical methodology development, with a clear trajectory toward understanding the neurological impacts of environmental contaminants. Zebra Fish neurotoxicology (100%) Neurotransmitter analysis (66%) Daphnia magna toxicology (64%) Behavioral neuroscience (33%) Serotonin-related research (27%) Liquid chromatography methods (27%) Dr. Gómez Canela actively supervises doctoral research through the FI-2025 Joan Oró program and leads multiple significant research projects including CHEMIPARK (as Principal Investigator) and the GESPA environmental process engineering group. His current projects extend through 2028, indicating ongoing research activity and leadership in his field.

Antonio Molina FernándezView profile

Professor

• Plant Innate Immunity
• Molecular Biology of Plant-Fungal Interactions
• Cell Wall-Mediated Disease Resistance
• +3 more

Antonio Molina Fernández is a Professor at the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid , leading the Plant Innate Immunity and Resistance to Necrotrophic Fungi group at the Center for Plant Biotechnology and Genomics (CBGP) . His research focuses on understanding plant defense mechanisms against necrotrophic fungal pathogens, particularly using the Arabidopsis-Plectosphaerella cucumerina interaction as a model system. Key areas include molecular recognition of pathogens, cell wall integrity signaling, and fungal pathogenicity mechanisms. His group investigates how plants sense necrotrophic fungi through receptors like ERECTA and BAK1, regulatory pathways involving MAP kinases and G-proteins, and the role of secondary metabolites in immunity. They also study the genomic basis of fungal lifestyles (pathogenic vs. endophytic) and their interactions with host plants. Current projects include enhancing crop disease resistance via cell wall-derived signals, zinc-mediated immunity, and sustainable agricultural solutions through bioengineering. Molina has secured funding from multiple EU programs, including Horizon-CL6 and MCIN/AEI grants. Notable achievements include identifying the YODA kinase pathway for broad-spectrum resistance and demonstrating the role of cell wall DAMPs in immunity. His work bridges fundamental research with translational applications, aiming to develop biocontrol strategies and climate-resilient crops.

Maria Pilar Coy FusterView profile

Professor

• Reproductive Physiology
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Oviductal Mechanisms
• +7 more

Maria Pilar Coy Fuster is a Full Professor at the University of Murcia , affiliated with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Department of Physiology . Her research focuses on reproductive physiology, in vitro fertilization (IVF), oviductal mechanisms, epigenetics, and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in mammals, particularly pigs and cattle. Education : Degree in Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia (1987) PhD in Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia (1991) Diplomate in Animal Reproduction, European College of Animal Reproduction (2001) Research Interests encompass understanding oviductal glycoproteins like OVGP1 that regulate polyspermy, genomic and proteomic analysis of reproductive fluids, epigenetic impacts of ART, and developing biobanks for reproductive biofluids. She co-discovered a conserved oviductal mechanism in ungulates (absent in humans) that enhances IVF efficiency, leading to a PNAS publication and a patent. Scientific Awards include: Mention of Quality by the Spanish Ministry of Education Mention of Excellence by the Spanish Ministry of Education She has secured substantial funding, including a €3.8 million European Horizon 2020 grant for the Rep-Biotech Marie Sklodowska-Curie program, producing 15 international PhDs. Currently, she leads the AFRODITA network. Teaching Contributions include designing the internationally recognized Master and PhD programs in Reproductive Biology and Technology at the University of Murcia. She plays a leadership role as an Associate Editor for journals like Molecular Reproduction and Development and Molecular Human Reproduction .

• Plant-Microbe Symbiosis
• Phosphate Transport
• Plant Defense
• +3 more

Dr. Maria Harrison is the William H. Crocker Distinguished Professor at Cornell University's School of Integrative Plant Science and Adjunct Professor in Plant Pathology. Her research investigates arbuscular mycorrhizal symbioses, focusing on phosphate transfer mechanisms and plant defense biochemistry. Using model legumes and poplar trees, her lab studies fungal colonization, symbiotic gene regulation, and metabolic pathways for bioactive compounds. She was elected to the Royal Society in 2024, recognizing her contributions to plant-microbe interactions. Her publications reveal insights into lipid provisioning, kinase signaling in symbiosis, and development of plant biosensors. Research integrates molecular genetics, cell biology, and genomics to address nutrient acquisition challenges in agriculture.

Bru Cormand RifàView profile

Professor

• Genetics
• Psychiatric Disorders
• Neurogenetics
• +5 more

Research Focus: His work spans genetics of psychiatric disorders (ADHD, autism, addiction), neurogenetics, and episodic neurological disorders like migraine. Key projects include the CoCA consortium studying ADHD comorbidities and the Aggressotype project investigating aggression mechanisms. Awards: National Habilitation (2011), Advanced Research Accreditation (2011), multiple teaching/research awards. Grants & Projects: Led studies funded by EU (e.g., CoCA, Eat2beNICE) and Spanish Ministry of Science. Major contributions include identifying genes like NFAT5 in cocaine dependence and RBFOX1 in aggression. Collaborations: Member of IMpACT, Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, and CIBER-ER network. Active in international initiatives like the ADHD Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. Publications: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles, including landmark studies on autism genetics and ADHD genome-wide loci. Labs/Teams: Leads the Human Molecular Genetics Research Group, focusing on translational research in psychiatric and neurological disorders.

Juan Carlos Linares CalderónView profile

Professor

• Ecology
• Climate Change
• Forest Management
• +5 more

Juan Carlos Linares Calderón is a Full Professor at Pablo de Olavide University in the Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems. His research focuses on Mediterranean relict forests' response to climate change through multidisciplinary approaches combining dendrochronology , ecophysiology , genomics , and epigenetics . PhD in Science (2008) from University of Jaén Principal Investigator in 10+ national/international projects Research Themes Specializing in climate change impacts on forest ecosystems , Linares leads the Forests Ecology and Global Change Lab . His work spans from individual tree responses to large-scale biogeographical patterns, challenging CO 2 -induced growth paradigms and emphasizing forest management as climate modulator. Scientific Contributions Over 162 publications with 82,704 reads and 9,074 citations Highly Cited Author status (Ioannidis et al., 2020) Developed SAPFLUXNET global transpiration database Email: jclincal@upo.es

Jordi Roca AleuView profile

Professor

• Reproductive Biotechnology
• Animal Reproduction
• Seminal Plasma Analysis
• +5 more

Jordi Roca Aleu is a Professor in the Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Murcia's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. With a career spanning over three decades, he has pioneered research in reproductive biotechnology for goats and pigs, focusing on seminal plasma biomarkers and extracellular vesicles for fertility assessment and preservation techniques. Doctorate from University of Murcia (1989) European College of Animal Reproduction Diplomate (2000) European College of Porcine Health Management Diplomate (2010) His work has established pigs as biomedical models for human fertility research, particularly through studies on seminal plasma molecular cargoes and sexed sperm applications . Recent investigations focus on extracellular vesicle phenotyping and oxidative stress impacts on sperm viability. Research outputs include: 301 JCR-indexed publications 2 patents licensed to Minitüb and STgenetics 25 competitive grants (14 as PI) 63 industry transfer agreements Scientific contributions have been recognized through: University of Murcia Special Doctorate Prize (1992) International collaborations in 93 co-authored JCR articles 16 invited presentations at scientific meetings

Federico Martinón-TorresView profile

Professor

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology
• +4 more

Prof. Federico Martinón-Torres is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Santiago de Compostela, where he also holds the Royal Academy of Medicine of Galicia chair. He leads the Pediatrics Service at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago and directs the Clinical, Infectious, and Translational Pediatrics unit. His career includes over 400 scientific articles, 26M€ in competitive grants, and global recognition in vaccine research. Key roles include WHO Technical Advisory Committee member for Europe and director of Spain’s sole WHO Collaborating Center on Vaccine Safety. He has supervised 16 doctoral theses and pioneered the GENVIP research group, ranked among the world’s top vaccine research teams. Education: PhD from USC in 2005 (thesis on Heliox and bronchiolitis), with all academic awards including Royal National Academy of Medicine honors. Teaching: 90+ master’s theses supervised, emphasizing translational pediatrics and vaccinology. Research focuses on pediatric infections, vaccines, and genomic diagnostics. Notable projects include RSV vaccine development, meningococcal epidemiology, and transcriptomic signatures for infectious disease diagnosis. His work impacts global health policy, including Gavi strategies and pandemic preparedness. Awards: Over 20 national prizes, including Spain’s Best Pediatrician (2023/2024), Reputational Leadership (2024), and Stanford’s Top 2% Global Scientist (2023). Research output includes 400+ peer-reviewed articles, 700+ publications, and an H-index of 59. Leadership: Founded Spain’s RECLIP pediatric clinical trials network and co-led European projects like 4CMenB vaccine development. His lab integrates genomic, transcriptomic, and clinical data to address pediatric health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance and vaccine equity. Labs/Teams: Santiago Institute of Health Research (IDIS), GENVIP Group (www.genvip.eu), WHO Collaborating Center for Vaccine Safety (since 2018).

Matthieu DefranceView profile

Associate Professor

• Gene Regulation
• Epigenetics
• Epigenomics
• +6 more

Matthieu Defrance is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department at Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Belgium, a position he has held since October 2016. Prior to this, he worked as a PostDoc at ULB's Laboratory of Cancer Epigenetics from May 2010 to September 2016. Dr. Defrance's research bridges computer science with biological sciences, focusing on computational methods for analyzing complex biological data. His work spans epigenetics, genomics, and algorithm development for biological applications. His primary research interests include: Gene Regulation and Chromatin Biology Epigenetics and Epigenomics DNA Methylation analysis Computational Statistics for biological data Algorithm Development for genomic applications Next Generation Sequencing data analysis Dr. Defrance's publication record demonstrates a strong interdisciplinary approach, with recent work focusing on improving DNA methylation analysis techniques, developing novel bioinformatics tools like RedRibbon for gene expression signature comparison, and applying these methods to understand diseases like diabetes and cancer. His research shows consistent innovation in computational biology, with publications spanning from method development to biological applications across diverse fields including diabetes genetics, cancer epigenetics, and evolutionary adaptations in desert ants. With 61 publications and nearly 5,000 citations, Dr. Defrance has established himself as a significant contributor to computational biology and epigenetics research.

• Food Technology
• Food Safety
• Microbiology
• +6 more

Maria Mercedes Lopez Fernandez is a Professor at the Department of Food Hygiene and Technology within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of León. She specializes in food safety and preservation technologies, particularly focusing on microbial control in food processing environments. University of León Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Department of Food Hygiene and Technology Research Group: NEWTEC (NEW Technologies for Food Preservation and Food Safety) Research Focus: Her work examines microbial communities in food systems, biofilm control using non-thermal atmospheric plasma, antimicrobial resistance dynamics, and biopreservation techniques. She has developed optimized DNA extraction protocols and studied Listeria monocytogenes control through plasma-activated water and lactic acid bacteria. Recent Article Trends: Show strong emphasis on microbiome analysis of food processing environments, antimicrobial resistance gene tracking, and plasma-based decontamination methods across meat and dairy industries.

• Pharmacology
• Marine Biotechnology
• Virology
• +3 more

Raquel Lama Lopez is a Juan de la Cierva-former researcher affiliated with the Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC). She operates within the Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CIMUS), focusing on pharmacological and immunological approaches to marine/aquaculture disease control. University: University of Santiago de Compostela Department: Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology Research Center: CIMUS Her research spans multiple domains: (1) Marine Immunology - identifying novel fish-specific immune proteins like Igldcp and NK-lysin for antiviral/antiparasitic applications, (2) Pharmacological Modulation - investigating anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g., AG5) that preserve innate immunity, (3) Viral Disease Modeling - using zebrafish and turbot models to study nodavirus and rhabdovirus infections, and (4) Biomaterials Development - creating 3D-printed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering with sterilization analysis. Publication trends show a strong emphasis on fish immunology , antiviral mechanisms , marine biotechnology applications, and biomaterials research. Her work combines molecular biology techniques with in vivo model systems to address both aquaculture challenges and broader biomedical questions. Her doctoral thesis at USC (2021) focused on developing new strategies for controlling viral diseases in aquaculture. She has contributed to understanding host-pathogen interactions in fish species through transcriptomic analyses and explored natural products from cyanobacteria for antiviral activity against fish pathogens.

José DíazView profile

Professor

• Plant Physiology
• Plant Pathology
• Induced Resistance Mechanisms
• +3 more

Dr. José Díaz Varela is a Professor of Plant Physiology at the University of A Coruña in Spain. He leads the FISAPLANT research group and has over 20 years of teaching experience, delivering courses in BSc Biology, MSc Molecular and Cell Biology, and MSc Advanced Biotechnology. His academic career spans from 1990 with a BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Santiago of Compostela to a PhD in Biology at the University of A Coruña in 1995. PhD in Biology (1995), University of A Coruña BSc in Biological Sciences (1990), University of Santiago of Compostela His research focuses on plant disease resistance mechanisms, specifically: Induction of resistance by biotic/abiotic agents against fungal and oomycete pathogens Host-specific resistance in solanaceous plants Copper stress effects and cross-protection against pathogens Hormonal regulation of peroxidases and capsaicinoids in plant species Recent publications highlight his work on biocontrol agents, stress physiology, and pepper crop protection. His teaching innovations include pandemic-era hybrid learning models and cooperative learning strategies aligned with sustainable development goals.

• Genetics
• Translational Genomics
• Neurodegenerative Diseases
• +7 more

Arturo Lopez Castel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Genetics at the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universitat de València, where he is a key member of the Human Translational Genomics research group and affiliated with the Institute of Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BIOTECMED). His work bridges fundamental genetic mechanisms with translational applications in neuromuscular disorders. His research centers on the molecular basis of nucleotide repeat expansion diseases, especially myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2. Using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, he investigates genomic instability, DNA repair deficiencies, and RNA toxicity mechanisms. His studies extend to patient-derived cell lines and mouse models, enabling a comprehensive approach from bench to bedside. Key areas include CTG/CAG repeat instability, epigenetic modifications like CpG methylation, and the role of microRNAs in muscle atrophy. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory in both mechanistic and therapeutic research. He has pioneered in vivo screening platforms, explored natural compounds such as boldine and stephanantherine for treatment, and contributed to understanding parent-of-origin effects in congenital transmission. His work integrates omics technologies and molecular pathology to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. While no scientific awards are mentioned in the provided text, his sustained publication record in high-impact areas underscores his contributions to the field. He has supervised thesis work and is actively involved in drug development pipelines for myotonic dystrophy, reflecting a commitment to both academic mentorship and clinical translation. Dr. Lopez Castel leads research within the GT Human Translational Genomics group, leveraging collaborative networks and multidisciplinary approaches to tackle complex genetic disorders. His lab combines genetic models, molecular assays, and pharmacological testing to advance understanding and treatment of repeat expansion diseases.

• Microbiology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions
• Genomics
• +9 more

Margarita Martinez Medina is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Girona, where she has been teaching and researching since 2001. She leads research in microbiology, particularly focusing on intestinal disease, and holds a permanent academic position since 2019. Research Interests: Her work centers on the genetic mechanisms of AIEC (Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli) pathogenicity in Crohn’s disease, employing genomic, transcriptomic, and functional methodologies. She also investigates novel antibiotic combinations and develops prophylactic vaccines against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. Her research extends to understanding how diet influences intestinal homeostasis and host-pathogen dynamics. Scientific Awards: Two awards for her PhD thesis European mention for her PhD thesis Education and Training: PhD in Biology, University of Girona (2009) Postdoctoral training, Université d'Auvergne, France (2010) Advising and Grants: While no formal students or grant details are listed, she actively mentors within her research group and participates in funded projects related to intestinal microbiology and bacterial pathogenesis. Laboratory and Team: She is a key member of the Grup de Recerca en Microbiologia de la Malaltia Intestinal , a multidisciplinary research group dedicated to understanding gut microbial diseases and their clinical implications.