I am a Serra-Húnter Molecular Nutrition Lecturer at Universitat Rovira i Virgili and a senior researcher with the MoBioFood Research Group since 2013. My research focuses on bioactive food compounds, particularly flavonoids, and their effects on metabolic and inflammatory processes related to obesity and aging.
During my PhD, I investigated procyanidins, a class of flavonoids, and their impact on metabolic syndrome-related mechanisms. My findings demonstrated their anti-inflammatory properties in obesity models and macrophage response modulation. One of my resulting publications has accumulated over 200 citations, highlighting its relevance in the field.
Following my PhD, I pursued postdoctoral research, integrating clinical and basic science. I developed expertise in statistical decision tree modeling and database management while studying circulating biomarkers for fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, aiming to provide non-invasive diagnostic alternatives to liver biopsies.
Currently, my research explores flavonoids' effects on obesity- and aging-related disruptions, particularly intestinal integrity and gut inflammation. Our recent findings show that procyanidins enhance the intestinal barrier, reduce metabolic endotoxemia, and yield systemic benefits, such as lower body weight, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased fatty liver markers. We are now investigating their potential to counteract aging-related metabolic and inflammatory imbalances, supported by Spanish National Plan funding.
In addition, I lead a collaborative project with Dr. FX Avilés at Hospital Clínic in Barcelona, applying metabolic disorder research insights to cancer. This study focuses on metabolic and prognostic biomarkers in head and neck carcinomas, particularly predictors of chemoradiotherapy resistance.
I serve as Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) on a national competitive project and have led two smaller competitive projects. Throughout my career, I have contributed to over 20 national research projects and published three book chapters and more than 80 peer-reviewed articles. Approximately 40% of my publications list me as first, last, or corresponding author. My work has received 2,575 citations, with an average of 30 citations per paper, and I hold an h-index of 28. Additionally, I am an inventor on two patents and have presented at over 50 national and international conferences. My contributions have been recognized with three consecutive six-year research productivity awards (Sexenios de investigación) from the Catalan Agency of Qualification (AQU).
Beyond research, I am an experienced educator with more than 10 years of full-time teaching at URV. I have supervised numerous undergraduate and master's projects, as well as three doctoral theses awarded the highest honors, including one that won a special doctoral award. I am currently supervising two additional PhD students. My dedication to teaching has been recognized with two five-year teaching activity awards (Quinquenios de docencia).
My professional development includes research stays at prestigious institutions. During my PhD, I spent three months at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome, funded by a European-COST grant. Post-PhD, I completed a research stay at the Physiopathology of Obesity Research Group at University Hospital Joan XXIII in Tarragona, supported by CIBERObn. In 2016-2017, I undertook a six-month postdoctoral stay at Imperial College London with Dr. Jacques Behmoaras at the Center for Complement & Inflammation Research, partially funded by Erasmus+. My collaboration with Dr. Behmoaras continues at the Centre for Computational Biology at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, where I conducted a 12-month research stay in 2022 investigating the senolytic effects of grape seed procyanidin extract (GSPE) and other natural compounds.
Outside academia, I am committed to science communication. I co-founded "Pint of Science" in Tarragona in 2018 and continue to help organize it annually. I also participate in outreach initiatives such as "Research Night" and "Day of Women and Girls in Science" and lead science workshops for high school students. Additionally, I manage the social media presence of our research group on Facebook and Instagram (@MobiofoodURV) to engage the public with our findings.
In summary, my research, teaching, and outreach efforts reflect a commitment to advancing knowledge on bioactive food compounds in preventing and mitigating chronic diseases, particularly those related to aging and metabolic health.