Lidia Daimiel holds a PhD in Cell Biology and Genetics from the Autonomous University of Madrid and is Principal Investigator of the Nutritional Control of the Epigenome Group at IMDEA Nutrition. Her research lies at the intersection of nutrigenomics and epigenetics, focusing on how dietary components influence gene expression and epigenetic mechanisms related to cardiometabolic diseases and aging.
Her pioneering work has explored the regulatory role of cholesterol, fatty acids, and TMAO on microRNA expression, as well as the impact of specific foods—including beer, extra virgin olive oil, the Mediterranean diet, and ultra-processed foods—on DNA methylation and microRNA profiles. In addition, she has led nutritional epidemiology studies analyzing the association between nutrient intake (e.g., choline, betaine, polyamines) and markers of cardiometabolic, liver, and kidney health.
She is Principal Investigator of the nationally recognized PREDIMED-Plus and ENSATI studies. Her research has resulted in over 150 publications in high-impact journals such as JAMA, Diabetes Care, EMBO Molecular Medicine, and AJCN, accumulating over 3,000 citations with an h-index of 31.
Dr. Lidia Daimiel maintains active collaborations with national and international research networks, including CIBERobn, GeroScience Task Force, STRENTEX, EIT-Food Healthy Aging Think and Do Tank, AtheroNET COST, and SENESCENCE2030 COST. She has received competitive funding from national agencies like the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the Ministry of Innovation and Science, as well as European programs such as EIT-Food and ERA-HDHL.
A respected evaluator, she serves on expert panels for the State Research Agency, COST, and the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia. She is a member of the American Society of Nutrition, the Spanish Society of Nutrition, and the Spanish Society of Atherosclerosis.
Dr. Lidia Daimiel also plays a key role in academic training and outreach. As an associate professor at CEU San Pablo University, she has supervised over 15 undergraduate and master’s theses and mentors multiple PhD candidates. She actively contributes to scientific dissemination through media appearances, articles in The Conversation, and the development of educational materials.
She leads translational efforts in AI-driven nutrition, currently protecting an algorithm for glucotype characterization selected by DeepTech Madrid. As CEO of Food-i Sense Analytics, she engages in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, contributing to regional and national innovation platforms.