Researcher

My Expertise

Neuroscience; Spinal cord damage and repair; Dementia; Super-resolution microscopy

Keywords

Fields of Research (FoR)

Cellular nervous system, Central nervous system, Peripheral nervous system, Cell neurochemistry, Biochemistry and cell biology, Cell physiology, Regenerative medicine (incl. stem cells), Virology

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Biography

I am a Senior Lecturer, SpinalCure Fellow, Scientia Fellow, and Head of the NeuroRepair and Mechanisms of Disease Lab in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney.

I grew up in a small village near Barcelona, in Catalonia, a region located in the eastern part of Spain. I completed my PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics at the University of Barcelona. In 2015, I relocated with my...view more

I am a Senior Lecturer, SpinalCure Fellow, Scientia Fellow, and Head of the NeuroRepair and Mechanisms of Disease Lab in the School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney.

I grew up in a small village near Barcelona, in Catalonia, a region located in the eastern part of Spain. I completed my PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics at the University of Barcelona. In 2015, I relocated with my family to Australia as a postdoctoral researcher at the Queensland Brain Institute, initially working in Prof. Frédéric Meunier’s lab, and later as a Research Fellow under the supervision of Prof. Massimo Hilliard. In 2025, I was appointed as Senior Lecturer at UNSW, where I started my independent laboratory.

At UNSW, my lab aims to develop new strategies for repairing damaged neurons and to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for neurodegeneration associated with viral infections.


My Grants

  • 2025-2028. NHMRC Ideas Grant (#2038899): Viral-induced neuronal fusion: Uncovering a new cause of neurological dysfunction. CIA Dr Martínez-Mármol. $890,000 AUD.

My Qualifications

  • Ph.D. Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics (University of Barcelona, Spain). 

My Awards

 

  • 2025-2030:  I-Peter Farrell Spinal Cure Fellowship: Fusion of Axons Innovative THerapy (FAITH): Using fusogens to repair injured nerves. CIA Dr Martínez-Mármol. $1,500,000 AUD.
  • 2022-2024:  UQ Research Stimulus Fellowship. University of Queensland, Australia. $180,000 AUD.
  • 2017-2019:  CJCADR Postdoctoral Fellowship. Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Australia. $164,000 AUD.
  • 2012-2014:  Juan de la Cierva Postdoctoral Junior Fellowship. Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain. $110,400 EUR.
  • 2005-2008:  Predoctoral Training Fellowship. Training Program for Academic Staff (Formacion de Personal Universitario – FPU). Spanish Ministry of Education and Science, Spain. $104,000 EUR.

My Research Activities

My research focuses on understanding how the activity of signalling complexes is modulated following spinal cord injury and in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. I am also interested in studying how viral infections influence the initiation and progression of neurodegenerative disorders, with particular emphasis on their chronic effects on the spread of toxic protein aggregates throughout the brain. Ultimately, my goal is to develop innovative therapeutic strategies to repair damaged neurons and prevent their pathological degeneration.

My lab uses a powerful combination of human-derived stem cells, brain organoids, C. elegans, and mouse in vivo models, with advanced imaging and computational approaches. This integrative, multi-scale approach allows us to connect molecular events inside a single neuron to dysfunction observed across the nervous system. Using these tools, we have revealed new mechanisms linking viral infections to neurodegeneration, uncovered the role of single-protein dynamics in the progression of neurological diseases, and developed advanced screening platforms to identify candidate therapeutic molecules with potential for spinal cord repair and neuroprotection.

The quality and impact of my research are reflected by publications in leading scientific journals, including Science Advances, Molecular Psychiatry, Nature Protocols, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Neurology, The Journal of Neuroscience, eLife, and Cardiovascular Research.

The NeuroRepair and Mechanisms of Disease Lab welcomes collaborations and is committed to training the next generation of scientists in neurobiology, advanced imaging, and translational neurotherapeutics. We welcome partnerships with academic groups, industry, community organisations, and philanthropic supporters who share our passion and vision of advancing fundamental knowledge to develop treatments that meaningfully improve the lives of people living with neurological injury and disease.


My Research Supervision


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Areas of supervision

Through research, teaching and the supervision of research students, it is my aim to training the next generation of scientists in neurobiology, advanced imaging, and translational neurotherapeutics.


Currently supervising

  • Kimaya Gadre (BSc, Hons), PhD Student. 2025- ongoing, co-supervision with Prof. Massimo Hilliard, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

My Engagement

 


My Teaching

I have over 15 years of research experience across multiple disciplines related to cell and molecular biology and biophysics, with a particular expertise in ion channels’ biology, protein trafficking and aggregation, synaptic transmission, dementia disorders, neuroinflammation and viral infections.  This experience provided me with comprehensive practical knowledge of various techniques, including molecular biology, super-resolution imaging and behavioural neuroscience.  Beyond teaching and supervising research students, I have also created and delivered undergraduate course materials to small groups and large classes in universities from two countries: the University of Barcelona (Spain) and the University of Queensland (Australia).  Notably, I have conducted these classes in three languages (Spanish, Catalan, and English), allowing me to participate in a diverse learning environment, adapting my teaching methods to different linguistic and cultural backgrounds.

During my early career at the University of Barcelona, I gained substantial teaching experience through two nationally competitive fellowships that supported my development as a university educator. I taught and coordinated courses in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, and neurobiology, integrating research-based case studies and interactive learning to strengthen students’ practical and critical-thinking skills. Since relocating to Australia, I have contributed to teaching across several departments, including adapting neuroscience practicals to fully online delivery during the COVID-19 lockdown. This experience expanded my expertise in hybrid, digital, and research-informed teaching. I have also served as a reviewer for biotechnology postgraduate assessments and chaired PhD thesis examinations. Across these roles, I have built strong communication and mentoring skills, supporting students from diverse backgrounds and engaging broader communities through public talks and outreach activities.

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UNSW Sydney NSW 2052 Australia Telephone +61 2 93851000
Authorised by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
UNSW CRICOS Provider Code: 00098G ABN: 57 195 873 179

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