Magdalena Alonso

Magdalena Alonso serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology at Miguel Hernández University of Elche and holds the position of Deputy Director at the Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Healthcare Biotechnology of Elche (IDIBE). Her academic responsibilities include coordinating and teaching Human Nutrition for the Bachelor's in Food Science and Technology, laboratory instruction for Nutrition in Biotechnology, and Cellular and Molecular Aspects of Diabetes and Obesity for the Master's in Biotechnology and Bioengineering, while also directing the Doctorate in Health Biotechnology program.

Her research centers on molecular mechanisms of pancreatic cell dysfunction in diabetes and obesity, with particular emphasis on endocrine disruptors like bisphenol A. She investigates how environmental chemicals alter insulin/glucagon secretion, beta-cell proliferation, and glucose homeostasis through estrogen receptor signaling, ion channel modulation, and epigenetic pathways. Current work employs multi-omics approaches to characterize metabolic disruptions from pollutants.

Analysis of her 2022-2025 publications reveals consistent focus on pancreatic alpha/beta cell biology, with recurring themes including gestational diabetes mechanisms, bile acid signaling in glucagon regulation, and multi-omics characterization of pollutant effects. Key methodologies involve in vitro cell models, transgenic mice, and integrated omics analyses to dissect molecular pathways.

• Scientific Awards: No awards documented in source materials

As Doctorate in Health Biotechnology Program Coordinator, she oversees graduate training while conducting research within the Diabetes Research Unit. Her laboratory work at IDIBE focuses on screening metabolism-disrupting chemicals using pancreatic cell models, with future directions targeting improved endocrine disruptor detection methods and therapeutic interventions for chemical-induced diabetes. Collaborative projects emphasize healthcare biotechnology applications for metabolic disorders.