Short biography

Research interests

My work is focused in understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to organ regeneration together with the development of basic knowledge in the field of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) for regenerative medicine. My participation in the first work describing kidney organoids from induced PSCs (iPSCs) was picked by Science as runner-up for the Breakthrough of the Year 2013. My fascination towards organ regeneration allowed me to pioneer work on heart regeneration. Being aware of the importance to provide real solutions for human health, we have also pioneered the fabrication of cardiac grafts for personalized medicine. My motivation to develop cutting-edge technology for organ regeneration allowed us to take advantage from 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering to fabricate, for the first time, human renal constructs using kidney organoids and decellularized tissue.

My expertise in organoid derivation, reprogramming and animal models was recognized with the prestigious ERC-Starting grant in 2014. I received a Ramon y Cajal Fellowship (first ranked candidate, 100/100 points, 2015). I established as PI first at the CMRB (2012-14), combining my tasks as scientist with those of Deputy Director, and later as Junior Group Leader (2015) at IBEC. I received 5.2 M€ in funded projects. I have published > 58 papers mostly belonging to the first decile of their respective fields), including journals as Cell, Cell Stem Cell, Materials Today, among others, and 6 book chapters receiving about 2800 citations (Scopus). My h-index is 28. I referee for Stem Cell Reports, Acta Biomateralia, and 5 more. I am scientific reviewer for international agencies (FWO, ERC, ANRS, SNSF and MRC). I gave >35 invited talks and participated in more than 150 outreach activities. I am also devoted to translating my findings into the clinics relaying on collaborations with world-recognized clinicians and basic collaborators in UK, France, US, CH, Singapore, Luxembourg, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Italy and Spain.

Key words

Regenerative Medicine, Pluripotent Stem Cells, Genome Editing, Regeneration

ORCID

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1603-1755

RESEARCHER ID

F-3136-2016