SupervisoryTeam

Supervisor Photo

Inmaculada Martín Burriel

Supervisor Details

Email: minma@unizar.es

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: Universidad de Zaragoza

Short Biography: I am currently a professor of Genetics. I obtained my degree in Veterinary Sciences in 1992 and completed my Ph.D. in 1997, receiving the Extraordinary Doctorate Award and European Mention. Afterwards, I got a Marie Curie postdoctoral fellowship to investigate in Sanofi-Synthelabo in Porcheville, France. This experience laid the foundation for my "Ramón y Cajal" Contract (2001-2006). Since then, my research has aligned with the One Health-One Medicine concept, exploring domestic animal diseases as natural models for human diseases. I have delved into the molecular mechanisms of prion neuropathology using transcriptomic and epigenetic tools. Furthermore, I developed an in vitro model based on the cultivation of ovine mesenchymal stem cells. Additionally, I contributed to establish the veterinary cell therapy research line in my research group. Presently, I'm applying my expertise to canine idiopathic epilepsy. Over the course of my career, I have authored 110 SCI articles, participated in 48 research projects, and engaged in 135 R&D&I contracts. I have also participated in scientific dissemination.

Co-Supervisor Photo

José María Marín Trigo

Co-Supervisor Details

Email: jmmarint@salud.aragon.es

Organization Type: Non-academic institution

Organization Name: Hospital Miguel Servet

Short Biography: He obtained the degree in Medicine in 1980 and his PhD in 1985. He specialised in pneumology (1981-1985) at the Hospital de Enfermedades del Tórax de Zaragoza (HET). After that, he did his fellowship in respiratory physio-pathology at McGill University in Montreal (Canada) in 1986-1988. Since 1990 he has been working as a staff pulmonologist at the Miguel Servet University Hospital (HUMS) in Zaragoza He performed a stay as a visiting professor in Boston (Tufts University) in 1996. Currently at HUMS and within the Aragon Institute for Health Research he leads a multidisciplinary research group, which is incorporated into other national (CIBER Respiratory Diseases, CHAIN, SEPAR) and international (BODE Group International) research networks. His research career has been awarded by the European Respiratory Society with the designation of Honorary Fellow, FERS (2007) and by the American Thoracic Society with its Fellow (ATSF) since 2018. He has published more than 200 articles, with an h-index of 76. He has supervised 10 Ph.D.

Added Value: The Hospital Miguel Servet is a reference hospital for many medical specialties in our region. In this hospital, the multidisciplinary group led by Dr. Marín comprises clinicians and basic researchers. Collaboration with a hospital group facilitates interactions with experts from diverse fields, enabling the translation of results obtained from animal studies into applications in human medicine. Among the basic researchers of this group, Dr. Sanz is a postdoctoral researcher whose thesis was jointly supervised by the proposal's principal investigator (PI) and Dr. Marín. Collaboration with medical doctors facilitates the employability of researchers trained in other research fields to human medicine. The group maintains international collaborations with other prominent teams but also with the industry. The group participates as a key player together with a cluster of private companies of regional origin in the AI4HealthyAging project to develop artificial intelligence-based technology for the early detection of cognitive impairment.

Other Co-Supervisor Photo

Ugo Ala

Other Co-Supervisor

Email: ugo.ala@unito.it

Organization Type: University

Organization Name: Università di Torino (Italy)

Short Biography: Ugo Ala, PhD, associate professor at the Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin. Main teaching activities: Biostatistics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology. His scientific research interests have been devoted to examining the fundamental mechanisms of gene expression and regulation, mainly through computational biology strategies and high-throughput data analysis. He contributed to new insights into the molecular biology of cancer and into the non-coding space of the genome at the BIDMC Cancer Center (Harvard Medical Schools). Moving to the Department of Veterinary Sciences at the end of 2018, he continued projects dedicated to disease gene prioritization and initiated new fields of research in microbiome analysis and had the opportunity to learn more about statistical approaches used in veterinary medicine and epidemiology. He is member of the GenoBiToUS (http://genobitous.it/), a Genomics and Bioinformatics Torino University Services. Finally, he supervised bachelor and master thesis at Biotechnology, Molecular Biotechnology and Veterinary degrees and is the supervisor of two Ph.D. students in Modeling and Data Science PhD School, and Molecular Medicine PhD School.

Added Value: Our group has extensive experience in molecular genetics, biomarker identification and cell model development. However, we do not have a bioinformatics specialist. Nowadays it is essential to have this kind of knowledge to work in biomedicine. The training that the predoctoral researcher could be received from this supervisor will undoubtedly increase the employability of the candidate who will be able to combine both molecular and informatics training. Moreover, it will allow him/her work in an international, multicultural and multidisciplinary context, fostering personal development, adaptability and open-mindedness. Finally, Ugo Ala collaborates with other researchers in the veterinary field as well as in human and basic science. This networking will allow the researcher to meet other groups that may facilitate future postdoctoral stays or with which to apply for joint international projects.

ResearchGroup

Description: The LAGENBIO group carries out its research, development and innovation activities in molecular genetics and cellular biology on the level of fundamental research as well as applied to animal production, health, and the bioindustry. LAGENBIO is a founding member of the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG) and has been selected by the Government of Aragon as a Regional Animal Genetics Reference Centre. The group is made up of 23 doctors, specialists in genetics and veterinary clinic, 8 predoctoral researchers and one engineer. The primary research areas are focused on genetic characterization and preservation of local breeds, investigating the genetic basis, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of animal and human diseases, developing innovative therapies and biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases and the aging process, as well as exploring regenerative medicine-based therapies in domestic animal species. Apart from fundamental research, the group has established a considerable number of standing agreements and service cooperations with associations and companies in the agrifood and health sectors. https://lagenbio.unizar.es/ https://ia2.unizar.es/laboratorio/laboratorio-de-genetica-bioquimica-lagenbio

ResearchLine

Description: ONE HEALTH - ONE MEDICINE: PRECISION VETERINARY MEDICINE As part of the One Health concept, comparative medicine explores biological similarities and differences across species to improve our understanding of disease mechanisms and facilitate the translation from fundamental research clinical applications. Employing animals with naturally occurring diseases offers several advantages over murine models: it closely mirrors the pathogenesis of human diseases, enhances the predictability of clinical trials in humans, benefits both human and animal health, and provides a viable alternative to traditional animal experimentation. This proposal focuses on harnessing cutting-edge -omic technologies for the discovery of molecular biomarkers, which can serve as novel diagnostic tools, and for gaining insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie animal diseases, whether infectious or not, which are shared with humans. Additionally, we advocate for the use of stem cells for treatment and the development of in vitro models for research purposes.

Others

Description: World Health Organization European Region (WHO/Europe) supports countries across Europe and central Asia to put One Health into practice. One Health recognizes the close connection between people, animals and environment to address health threats holistically. This strategy promotes joining the effort of veterinarians, doctors, epidemiologists, public health practitioners and wildlife experts to obtain new surveillance and disease control methods. There is a One Health European Joint Programme, which reinforces collaboration between institutes by enhancing transdisciplinary cooperation and integration of activities, such are Joint Research Projects, Joint Integrative Projects, and Education and Training activities in the fields of Foodborne Zoonoses, Antimicrobial Resistance and Emerging Threats. Our proposal can include zoonosis infections but not only, it also includes non-infectious diseases shared by humans and animals as part of the One Medicine approach. One medicine, also known as Comparative Medicine, plays a pivotal role in the One Health concept. The study of biological similarities and differences across species help us to better understand disease mechanisms, predict outcomes, and develop innovative solutions. The use of -omic technologies will yield significant big data results, which will be analysed using artificial intelligence to process data, identify patterns associated with diseases, pinpoint genetic factors linked to pathogenic phenotypes, classify potential pathogenic or benign variants, predict disease risk, and integrate genomic data with clinical, environmental and other relevant information to understand health and disease. As our knowledge of genomics deepens and datasets continue to grow, AI methods, including machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and data mining, will play a pivotal role in unravelling the genetic information, advancing personalized medicine, and driving discoveries in the field of genetics.

CareerDevelopment

Objectives

  • Future postdoc employment at the University
  • Increased employability in the non-academic sector
  • International mobility
  • Building collaborative networks
  • Trainings to enhance career opportunities
  • Application of postdoctoral grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Application for projects and funding (Horizon Europe, national plans, etc.)
  • Involvement in teaching, supervision, or mentoring

Expected Outputs

  • PhD defense
  • Application of grants (MSCA, Juan de la Cierva, etc.)
  • Publication of articles
  • Patenting
  • Developing new products, solutions, or services
  • Attendance to international conferences

Training Skills

  • Project Management
  • Time Management
  • Grant Writing
  • Communication to the civil society and public engagement
  • Open Science
  • Gender and diversity dimension of research
  • Ethics and Research Integrity
  • Teaching
  • Supervision
  • Policy making, such as Green Deal and sustainable practices
  • Intellectual Property
  • Research Valorization
  • Business skills, negotiation, marketing
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Leadership
  • Training for job interviews, CV writing
  • Advanced Digital Skills
  • Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence
  • Spanish
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