I´m hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Leon (Spain) and earned my PhD in 2014 at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain. Supported by a FPI grant (Formación de Personal Investigador) my PhD research was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Medicine (UCM), under the guidance of Dr. Elvira Álvarez García and Dr. Carmen Sanz Miguel. My research career has been dedicated to the study of metabolic and nutrient sensors (AMPK, mTOR, PASK) at both central (hypothalamic) and peripheral (liver) levels. My investigations have delved into the intricacies of nutrient availability control and intake regulation, with a particular emphasis on the role of the anorexigenic peptide GLP-1 and these sensors in pathological conditions including obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, and aging-related pathologies. Employing various in vivo animal models (rat, mice), organotypic cultures and established cell lines, I applied a range of biochemical, molecular, histological and dissection techniques.
Subsequently, I secured a contract with CIBERDEM (CIBER for diabetes and associated metabolic diseases), contributing to research lines exploring the role of the metabolic sensor PASK, in central and peripheral adaptation to fasting/feeding states, obesity resistance, oxidative stress control, and aging. Currently, my research interests center on studying thermogenesis processes in PASK-deficient mice. Recently, I have collaborated with Dr. Blázquez and Dr. Pozo (UCM), alongside various CSIC groups. Using 18F-deoxiglucose and microPET imaging, this project aims to investigate altered brain glucose metabolism kinetics and insuline resistance in various mouse models of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Amyotraophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Since 2021 I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, UCM.
I like spending time with my son, movies, traveling, gastronomy, and any activity in nature. I like cats.