Prof. Maciej Lewenstein is a Group Leader and ICREA Professor at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), Spain. He leads the Quantum Optics Theory group, focusing on theoretical and computational studies of quantum many-body systems, topological phases, and nonlinear optics. He holds a Dr.rer.nat. in Physics from the University of Essen, Germany. His research interests include quantum simulations, high-harmonic generation, Bose-Einstein condensation, and quantum information processing. He has pioneered work on topological quantum thermometry and ultrafast phase transitions in materials like vanadium dioxide. His group actively explores the intersection of quantum optics with condensed matter physics and quantum computing. Recent articles highlight advancements in tensor network approaches for topological phases, quantum algorithms for many-body systems, and the application of sonification to quantum entanglement dynamics. He has received a prestigious ERC Advanced Grant and the ICREA Professorship, recognizing his contributions to quantum science. Prof. Lewenstein advises over a dozen PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, fostering a dynamic research environment at ICFO. His grants include ERC and ICREA funding, supporting projects on quantum simulations and nonlinear optical phenomena. The Quantum Optics Theory group collaborates internationally, with expertise in light-matter interactions, quantum resource theory, and quantum many-body localization. Their lab develops novel methods for probing quantum systems using high-harmonic spectroscopy and quantum trajectory simulations.
Prof. Raimon Jané Campos is a leading figure in biomedical signal processing at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) and Universitat de Barcelona (UB). As co-director of UPC's Biomedical Signal and System Group (CREB) and coordinator of the Biomedical Engineering PhD Programme, he bridges engineering and clinical applications. His work focuses on respiratory and sleep disorder diagnostics, with significant contributions to COPD and sleep apnea monitoring through wearable devices and machine learning. PhD in Biomedical Engineering (UPC, 1989) Visiting researcher at Université de Nice-Sophia Antipolis Vice-president of Spanish Society of Biomedical Engineering Research spans respiratory mechanics , sleep-disordered breathing , acoustic biomarkers , bioimpedance , and machine learning in biomedical contexts . His 2025 work on microcalorimetric pathogen classification and 2024 spiking neural networks for apnea detection demonstrate cutting-edge integration of computational methods with physiological monitoring. Articles from 2017-2024 reveal consistent focus on non-invasive diagnostics , cardiorespiratory synchronization , and smartphone-based health solutions . Awarded the Barcelona City Technology Research Award (2005) and serving on the International Advisory Board for Physiological Measurement since 2010, his career combines academic leadership with real-world clinical translation through IBEC's technology transfer initiatives.
Josep Marco Pallares is a Professor at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Psychology, affiliated with the Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology. He leads the Brain Dynamics and Structure of Human Cognition (BraCo) research group and holds an ICREA Academia Fellowship (2018-2023). His work focuses on neural mechanisms underlying reward processing, music perception, and social cognition using neuroimaging techniques. Education: Licenciatura in Psychology (University of Barcelona, 2000), Doctorate in Neuroscience (2012), and Doctorat (University of Barcelona, 2005) Research interests include brain oscillations in reward systems, music-evoked emotions, and decision-making. His recent studies explore how theta and gamma oscillations underpin pleasantness responses to music and social information. Ongoing projects investigate neural correlates of gambling behaviors and white matter correlates of music reward sensitivity. Awards: ICREA Academia Fellowship (2018) Has supervised doctoral theses on music reward processing and atypical reinforcer anticipation mechanisms. Active in teaching courses on neuroimaging techniques and music psychology at the University of Barcelona. Labs/Teams: Principal Investigator of the BraCo group, collaborating with AGAUR and Ministerio de Ciencia-funded projects.
Noelia Fernández Castillo is a Lecturer at the University of Barcelona's Faculty of Biology, affiliated with the Department of Genetics, Microbiology, and Statistics. She leads the Human Molecular Genetics research group and holds roles in academia spanning education and research. Education: Bachelor's/Master's in Genetics (University of Barcelona, 2004) Experimental Biology Master's (2006) Teaching Certification (2005) PhD in Biology (2011) Research focuses on genetic mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders, addiction, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Key areas include epigenetic influences on ADHD, genetic contributions to aggression, and molecular pathways in substance use disorders. Uses animal models (zebrafish, mice) and human genomic data to explore these topics. Notable projects include studying nutrition's impact on impulsive behaviors (Eat2beNICE project, 2017-2022) and investigating shared genetic susceptibility between addictions and aggression. Current work emphasizes genetic pleiotropy in ADHD and psychiatric comorbidity. Has led/co-led grants from the European Union, Spanish Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Science. Active in collaborative research with institutions across Europe and North America.
Elsa Prada Nuñez is a Senior Researcher at the Institute of Materials Science of Madrid (ICMM) under the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) . She leads the Quantum Dynamics of Materials (QUDYMA) group and currently serves as Head of the Theory Department. Her academic career spans multiple institutions, including the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Karlsruhe University, and Lancaster University, with a focus on condensed matter theory and quantum materials. PhD in Physics from UAM (2006) Tenured Scientist at ICMM-CSIC (2020-2025) Senior Researcher at ICMM-CSIC (2025-present) Her research explores quantum phenomena in low-dimensional materials and nanostructures, particularly topological insulators, Majorana zero modes in hybrid nanowires, graphene and 2D crystals, disorder effects, magnetotransport, spintronics, quantum pumping, straintronics, and exciton dynamics. She has directed over 20 students across PhD, Master's, and undergraduate levels, including notable projects on full-shell hybrid nanowires and twisted bilayer graphene. Recent publications highlight advancements in Josephson junctions, Majorana detection, and topological superconductivity in full-shell nanowires. Awards include the Young Female Scientist 2021 from the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain and Mastercard, and the 2022 Certamen Universitario 'Arquímedes' First Award as a tutor. She has secured significant grants from the Spanish government and European collaborations for projects on quantum materials and topological superconductivity. Principal Investigator for €139,150 Spanish government grant (PID2021-125343NB-I00) Lead on €5,000 ICMM-CSIC grant (2020-2021) Participant in €3.48M EU AndQC project (2019-2023)
Tania Fernández Villa is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of León. Her primary academic affiliation centers on preventive medicine and public health research within the GIIGAS (Interactions Gene-Environment-Health) research group. Her research spans nutritional epidemiology, gender studies in food systems, substance use disorders, and chronic disease prevention. Key focus areas include alcohol consumption patterns among university students (via the UniHcos cohort), sarcopenia in metabolic syndrome, breast cancer risk factors, and pandemic impacts on health behaviors. Her work integrates longitudinal cohort analysis, systematic reviews, and psychometric validation studies. Recent publications demonstrate strong trends in gender-disaggregated health research, pandemic-related behavioral shifts, and methodological innovations in dietary assessment. Her 2024-2025 output shows increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability of diets and multi-cancer risk prediction models. She serves on the editorial board of the Spanish Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, contributing to strategic planning (2020-2026) and open science initiatives. Her PhD from Universidad de Granada focused on ICT usage patterns among university students. Current projects include the UniHcos longitudinal study tracking health behaviors in Spanish university students, with particular attention to alcohol use, sleep patterns, and nutritional status. Her research group actively investigates gene-environment interactions in public health contexts.
Dr. José Miguel Morales Asencio is a University Professor in the Department of Nursing at the University of Málaga (UMA) since 2010. He served as Department Director from 2010 to 2018 and currently holds the roles of Vice Dean of Research and Postgraduate Studies and Coordinator of the Doctoral Program in Health Sciences (since 2020). He is a visiting professor at several universities, including the University of Hertfordshire (UK) and Coimbra (Portugal). Research Interests : His work focuses on Health service models for chronic and dependent populations Gender inequalities in chronic disease Clinical safety and risk management Knowledge translation in healthcare Advanced nursing practice He leads the CTS-970 research group on "Chronicity, Dependency, Care, and Health Services" under the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga (IBIMA) and is a member of the European Academy of Nursing Science. Article Trends : His recent publications address evidence-based nursing, chronic disease management, and clinical safety. Key areas include multimorbidity prediction, caregiver health economics, and transcultural validation of assessment tools. Grants & Projects : He has led 13 funded projects, including the 2023-2025 Spanish Cancer Association-funded Cui-DAR Cudeca Plan validation study (€133,412) and the 2020-2023 Ministry of Health-funded clinical prediction rule study (€55,535). His work spans randomized trials, longitudinal cohort studies, and systematic reviews. Advising : He has directed 45+ PhD theses, such as "Effectiveness of hydrophobic dressings in vascular ulcers" and "Impact of socioeconomic factors on caregiver burden." Labs & Teams : Collaborates with the European Academy of Nursing Science and IBIMA, integrating healthcare policy and clinical research.
José Morales Aznar is a Full Professor in the Department of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences and Sports Management at the Faculty of Psychology, Educational Sciences and Sports, Ramon Llull University (Blanquerna). His academic work focuses on the intersection of physical activity, sport sciences, and adapted physical education, with a particular emphasis on judo applications for diverse populations. Dr. Morales Aznar's research interests span Physical Activity, Sport Sciences, Martial Arts (particularly judo), Adapted Physical Activity for people with disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Intellectual Disabilities, Physical Education, Motor Skills, and Heart Rate Variability. His work demonstrates a strong commitment to applying sport science principles to improve quality of life across different demographic groups, especially those with special needs. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear trend toward adapted judo programs, particularly for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disabilities. His research combines practical applications with theoretical frameworks to develop evidence-based approaches in adapted physical activity. The publications also show growing interest in technology integration in physical education and the physiological aspects of martial arts training. Dr. Morales Aznar is actively involved in multiple research projects including KATAUTISM (Judo program for autistic children), JUDODI (Effects of judo for adolescents with intellectual disabilities), JIDP (Judo for Intellectual Disability Project), SAFE (Health, Physical Activity and Sports), and AUTJUDO (Adapted Judo for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders). These projects demonstrate his leadership in developing and implementing specialized physical activity programs for vulnerable populations while securing significant research funding from various agencies including the EACEA Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency and Agència de Gestió d'Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca.
Jakub Vohryzek is a postdoctoral researcher at the Computational Neuroscience (CNS) Group at University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, supervised by Prof. Gustavo Deco. His work focuses on spacetime connectomics and whole-brain modeling, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders and psychedelic neuroscience. He holds a DPhil from the University of Oxford, where he studied under Prof. Morten Kringelbach. Research Interests: Spacetime connectomics Psychedelic-induced brain state transitions Neurotwin models for personalized medicine Cognitive and clinical applications of whole-brain dynamics Current projects include developing neurotwin models under a European grant for neurodegenerative treatments, investigating brain state dynamics in mindfulness therapy, and modeling psychedelic effects on Alzheimer’s disease. His recent work emphasizes low-dimensional brain network interactions and functional hierarchy perturbations. His research has explored connectivity profiles, oscillatory restoration in dementia, and algorithmic agent approaches to neuropsychiatric disorders. He collaborates on open-science initiatives like Brainhack and advocates for inclusive conference design.
Jose Ismael Crespo Martinez is a distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Murcia, Spain, where he serves as Director of the Department of Political Science and Administration within the Faculty of Law. His academic career spans over two decades with significant contributions to political science, particularly focusing on Latin American politics and electoral processes. He leads the Political Analysis Group and directs MásPoderLocal, a digital magazine dedicated to political communication and electoral behavior in Spain and Latin America. Dr. Crespo earned his PhD in Political Science from Complutense University of Madrid in 1995 with a thesis on Uruguayan political relations. His educational background established the foundation for his expertise in comparative politics and electoral systems across Latin America. He has maintained strong academic ties with institutions throughout the region, contributing to his comprehensive understanding of political dynamics in both Spanish and Latin American contexts. Crespo's research interests center on political communication, electoral behavior, and campaign strategies, with particular emphasis on Latin American political systems. His work examines how political messages are crafted and received in different cultural contexts, the evolution of campaign techniques in the digital age, and the relationship between media strategies and voter decision-making. He has pioneered research on crisis communication within public administration, especially during the pandemic period, analyzing how governments communicate effectively during emergencies. His scholarly output shows a clear trajectory from foundational studies on Latin American electoral systems toward contemporary analyses of digital political communication. The recent publications demonstrate increasing focus on crisis communication, permanent campaigning in the digital era, and the evolving relationship between citizens and political institutions. His work bridges theoretical political science with practical campaign management, making significant contributions to both academic understanding and real-world political practice. Among his notable recognitions are: Comendador of the Order of the Southern Cross Order with plate of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise Honorary Professor designations from multiple universities Special acknowledgments from Peruvian and Argentine universities Throughout his career, Crespo has secured significant research funding and directed numerous projects examining electoral processes across Latin America. He has served as a consultant for governments and institutions in Spain, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. His leadership extends to directing the Spanish Agency for Quality Assessment and University Accreditation (2002-2004) and serving as Director General of Universities for the Spanish government (2000). As president of ALICE (Latin American Association of Electoral Campaign Researchers) since 2012, he has fostered international collaboration among political scientists. Crespo leads the Political Analysis Group at the University of Murcia and oversees the MásPoderLocal initiative, which serves as a hub for research on municipal political communication. His work connects academic research with practical political consulting, creating a dynamic environment where theory informs practice and real-world challenges drive new research directions. The integration of his academic, governmental, and consulting experiences creates a unique perspective on political processes across the Iberian and Latin American spheres.
Silvia Muro is a Group Leader and ICREA Research Professor at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), affiliated with the University of Barcelona. Her research focuses on developing advanced drug delivery systems using nanotechnology to overcome biological barriers and improve therapeutic outcomes. She leads the Targeted Therapeutics and Nanodevices research group, which investigates how to precisely deliver therapeutic agents to specific disease sites within the body. Dr. Muro's laboratory specializes in understanding the biological mechanisms that regulate cellular transport of therapeutic agents. Her team has pioneered approaches to control biological events beyond receptor binding, enabling precise drug delivery through modulation of nanocarrier properties. The research focuses on three main areas: Biologically-Controlled Transport of Drug Carriers - studying how size, shape, targeting valency, receptor epitopes, and signaling molecules affect transport Transport Across Physiological Barriers - particularly the blood-brain barrier and epithelial barriers for neurological and gastrointestinal drug delivery Treatment of Lysosomal Disorders - applying nanotechnology to enzyme replacement therapy for diseases like Niemann-Pick, Fabry, and Gaucher Analysis of Dr. Muro's recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on ICAM-1 targeted nanocarriers for overcoming biological barriers. Her work demonstrates how nanocarrier properties can be engineered to control transport kinetics and destinations. A significant portion of her research addresses neurological disease treatment and lysosomal storage disorders through innovative DNA-built nanocarriers that enable cellular uptake and endosomal escape. While specific awards aren't detailed in available information, Dr. Muro's position as an ICREA Research Professor represents a prestigious recognition of research excellence in Catalonia. Her publications in high-impact journals demonstrate significant research funding and international collaborations. Dr. Muro leads an active research laboratory investigating drug delivery challenges for neurological diseases and genetic disorders. Current projects include developing nanocarriers that cross the blood-brain barrier and designing systems for enzyme replacement therapy in lysosomal storage disorders, with considerable translational potential for treating conditions that currently lack effective therapies.
Adolfo Jiménez Huete is a Physician Scientist in the Department of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine , University of Navarra. He is affiliated with the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias (ADRG) research group and works at the University of Navarra Clinic (CUN). PhD (1999) from University of Alcalá Research focus: Alzheimer's disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and proteolytic mechanisms in central nervous system amyloidosis
Javier Saez Valero is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Miguel Hernandez University of Elche, where he also serves as Deputy Vice Rector for Research - Management of Research and Transfer. His academic roles include teaching Biochemistry I in the Bachelor's in Medicine program and courses in the Master's in Neuroscience and Master's in Translational Neuropsychopharmacology, while coordinating the Doctorate in Neuroscience program. His research focuses on neurochemical mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer's disease biomarker discovery in cerebrospinal fluid and blood. Key areas include NMDA receptor dynamics, ACE2 fragments, apolipoprotein E interactions, and reelin signaling pathways. His work bridges molecular biochemistry with clinical neurology to develop diagnostic tools and understand disease pathogenesis. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a dominant focus on Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, especially CSF protein alterations (nicastrin, ADAM10, ACE2). Significant themes include synaptic vs extrasynaptic receptor distributions, COVID-19 neurological impacts, and nanocarrier drug delivery limitations. His work consistently targets translational applications for early diagnosis and therapeutic development. No scientific awards were documented in the provided information. Professor Saez Valero provides academic guidance through tutorials and course coordination across undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs. As Doctorate in Neuroscience coordinator, he oversees research training while managing institutional research transfer activities through the Vice Rectorate. His teaching spans biochemistry, neuropathology, and molecular neuroscience with laboratory components. He operates from Laboratory 241 at the Institute of Neurosciences (Campus de San Juan), a joint research center with CSIC. His work integrates with the university's Vice Rectorate for Research and Transfer, facilitating technology transfer and collaborative neuroscience research within the university's research infrastructure.
Claudio Ulises Cortes Garcia is a Professor at the Department of Computer Science , Technical University of Catalonia, and leads the IDEAI-UPC (Intelligent Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Research Group) and KEMLG (Knowledge Engineering and Machine Learning Group). He is affiliated with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) and the Barcelona School of Informatics (FIB). With a Doctor en Informática (PhD in Computer Science) and Ingeniero Industrial y de Sistemas (Industrial and Systems Engineering) degrees, his work spans Artificial Intelligence , Intelligent Agents , and Assistive Technology . His research integrates European Programs and Internet with applications in Second Life and Software . His recent publications focus on Post-COVID cognitive effects , AI ethics , and agent-based modeling for urban water management. He received the Doctor Honoris Causa from Universitat de Girona in 2024 and has collaborated on projects like DIGITAfrica and HUB D'INNOVACIÓ PEDIÀTRICA . His work bridges Neuroscience , Environmental Modeling , and Digital Humanities , with over 650 activities recorded in his academic career. ORCID : 0000-0003-0192-3096 WoS Researcher ID : B-7284-2009 Scopus Author ID : 7004065770
Jose Luis Cantero Lorente is a University Professor in the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology at Pablo de Olavide University, specializing in neuroscience with a primary focus on Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative disorders. His work bridges electrophysiology, neuroimaging, and biomarker discovery to understand cognitive decline in aging. Education: Doctorate from the University of Seville (1999) with thesis: "Electrophysiological characterization of alpha activity in three states of brain activation in human subjects: relaxed wakefulness, drowsiness and REM phase", supervised by Dr. Carlos María Gómez González. Research Interests: Dr. Cantero Lorente's research spans Alzheimer's Disease , Neuroscience , and Biomarkers , with emphasis on early detection mechanisms through salivary, blood, and CSF analysis. He investigates sleep-memory interactions , metabolic drivers of neurodegeneration (e.g., insulin resistance), and neuroinflammatory pathways using multimodal approaches including proteomics, lipidomics, and functional MRI. His pioneering work established salivary lactoferrin as a diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's. Publication Trends: His 2022-2025 publications reveal a strategic shift toward multimodal biomarker integration , combining amyloid-beta, tau, and metabolic markers for early Alzheimer's detection. Key themes include Parkinson's disease proteomics (e.g., candesartan neuroprotection), herpes virus-amyloid links in aging, and intracortical myelin alterations as precursors to cognitive decline. Recent work increasingly incorporates machine learning for database analysis and explores angiotensin-based neuroprotective strategies. Scientific Awards: No awards were specified in the source material. Advising and Grants: He supervises doctoral candidates in the Biotechnology, Biomedicine and Health Sciences program at Pablo de Olavide University, specifically guiding the "Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease" track. His research is supported by Spain's PAIDI framework (Health Science and Techniques), with projects focusing on interdisciplinary audiological databases and neural network alterations in mild cognitive impairment. Labs and Teams: As leader of the LNF Functional Neuroscience research group, he directs studies on electrophysiological correlates of cognitive decline, utilizing EEG, MRI, and molecular techniques to map structural-functional brain changes in Alzheimer's progression. The group collaborates extensively on national initiatives for biomarker validation in neurodegenerative diseases.
