Estrella graduated as Technical Agriculture Engineer from the University Jaume I of Castellon in 2006. She spent a few months travelling before she moved to Valencia, where, in December 2008 she completed a higher engineering degree in Agronomy. In January 2009, she was awarded a Leonardo Da Vinci training fellowship to work at Rothamsted Research (Harpenden, UK). Seven months into her fellowship, she obtained a studentship to carry on with her doctoral studies based at Rothamsted Research, but as a student of Lancaster University. In November 2012, Estrella completed her PhD in Biological Sciences. During these years, she studied genetic and epigenetic mechanisms controlling defence priming in plants, a defence response based on the sensitization of the immune capacity of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. After she completed her PhD, she worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the department of Animal and Plant Sciences at The University of Sheffield for 3 years. Her postdoc project identified the plant receptor protein of β-amino butyric acid, a priming agent that induces broad spectrum resistance in a wide range of plant species. Currently, she holds a BBSRC Future Leader Fellowship. With her research, Estrella aims to translate the results obtained in Arabidopsis thaliana (a model research plant) into economically-relevant crops in Europe, such as tomato and potato.

Estrella is the President of SRUK/CERU.

After finishing my MEng in Telecommunications Engineering in 2005, I started a PhD in signal processing at the University of Valladolid. In the summer of 2009, I visited the Centre of Digital Signal Processing at Cardiff University. In January 2010, I joined the School of Computing and Mathematics of the University of Plymouth as a postdoctoral research associate working in the development of pattern recognition techniques for clinical trials in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. In October 2013, I joined the Institute for Digital Communications, School of Engineering of the University of Edinburgh, as a Chancellor’s Fellow (equivalent to lecturer) in biomedical signal processing, where I am now leading a research group. I was appointed to the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Young Academy of Scotland in August 2016. I joined SRUK/CERU in early 2013 and my interest in SRUK/CERU increased when I moved to Scotland in late 2013. This led me to become more engaged in the activities of the society. I was the first director of the Scotland constituency from March 2015 until July 2016, then I was elected roving director. At the moment, I am the vice-president of the society.

Dr Nerea Alonso graduated in Biochemistry from the University of Salamanca, Spain in 2003 and then she received her PhD in Cancer Biology and Clinical Studies at the same University. Her PhD research focused on the molecular analysis of patients with Gorlin syndrome, a rare disease involving developmental alterations and basal cell carcinomas. In 2008 she moved to Edinburgh, UK, joining the Rheumatology and Bone Disease Unit as a postdoctoral research fellow. She has been working on the characterisation of a model for Paget’s disease of bone and she has been active part of an international consortium to study osteoporosis (GEFOS), leading a collaborative effort to identify genetic variants predisposing to clinical vertebral fractures in postmenopausal females. Dr Alonso is also interested in pharmacogenomics applied to the treatment of osteoporosis, and she has recently been awarded with a grant from the Scottish Chief Scientist Office to perform genetic profiling to predict the response to treatment in patients with severe osteoporosis.

Dr Alonso is a member of the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), the European Human Genetics Society and the British Bone Research Society. She was awarded the ECTS New Investigator Award in 2013, as well as other prizes at international conferences. More recently, she was elected as a member of the ECTS Academy, which represents the most talented postdoc researchers in the musculoskeletal field in Europe.

Opinion about SRUK: “I joined SRUK in 2015, when the Scottish constituency was established. I felt that I wanted to actively contribute to the aims of the society and sharing my experience of living in Scotland and working in academia for several years. Being a member of the society allowed me to meet a group of enthusiastic and committed scientists who are establishing a network for researchers to encourage further collaborations and help to communicate science to the general public. I am proud to be part of this society, which is also working hard to give Spanish scientists visibility, both in the UK and Spain, and to create links between the two countries which will help to improve global science.”

Scientific background: Rocio finished her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology at the University Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, in 2013. She is currently carrying out her PhD in the Centre for Plant Sciences at the University of Leeds under the supervision of Dr. Benitez-Alfonso. Her research focuses in the role of cell-to-cell communication in the establishment of symbiotic interaction in plants.

Opinion about SRUK: I joined SRUK/CERU early after moving to the UK. I originally joined the society for the wide range of events and opportunities that offers to its members, but I eventually decided to get involved in a more active way. I was part of the organizing committee of the IV International Symposium, this experience brought me closer to the society and I decided to serve as the Secretary for the next year. I am looking forward to next year and happy to be contributing to this community.

Scientific background: Francesc obtained his degree in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia in 2010, Spain, followed by an MSc in Bioinformatics in Cranfield University, UK. He completed his PhD in 2014 under the supervision of Professor Taane Clark at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where he specialised on microbial genomics with a particular focus on the pathogenic bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. He currently works in Cambridge as a postdoctoral researcher in the group leaded by Professor Sharon Peacock. He is part of a consortium that investigates the genetic diversity and transmission dynamics of major bacterial pathogens in the United Kingdom, and evaluates the impact of whole genome sequencing technologies in diagnostic microbiology, clinical practice and public health policy.

Opinion about SRUK: I joined the SRUK in 2013 while I was doing my Ph.D. in London. At that time, I attended various scientific talks organised by the SRUK and then decided to join as a member. After moving to Cambridge, I took a more active role in the society by joining the working group in the Cambridge constituency, what gave me the opportunity to help organise scientific events I had once attended. I believe the SRUK has a crucial role in disseminating science in the UK and can act as key player in improving scientific and diplomatic relationships between the UK and Spain. I believe the SRUK, along with similar scientific organisations, will also contribute to improve the Spanish public R&D system. I would encourage any scientific professional to join a scientific association to network with other professionals, get informed and make a positive impact on science communication and policy.

Maria Barreira Gonzalez graduated in Biology at the University of Oviedo in 2007 after spending an academic year at the University of Poitiers (France) as part of the ERAMUS program. In 2008, she was awarded with a JAE-predoc fellowship by the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) allowing her to pursue her PhD studies in the laboratory of Dr. Xose R. Bustelo at the Cancer Research Centre (CSIC-University of Salamanca). She obtained her PhD from the University of Salamanca which main focus was to understand how the Vav family of oncoproteins, involved in many human diseases such as cancer, are regulated upon cell signalling activation. In 2013, she moved to the UK to work as a postdoctoral researcher in the Hendrich Lab based at the Wellcome Trust – MRC Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge. There she studies how embryonic stem cells make decisions during mouse embryo development focusing on how these processes are controlled by gene regulation and cell signalling events. In October 2016, she moved to London to work as a researcher in a DNA-focused biotech company called Touchlight Genetics.

Just one week after arriving in the UK, she joined the SRUK as a regular member and since 2014 she has been part of the Cambridge and London SRUK working group, the SRUK Press Office, the Online department and the organising committee of the SRUK Symposium 2017. Currently, she is the Director of Communications and Online Department and the Editor in Chief of the SRUK blog.

Scientific background: I am from Madrid, where most of my career has developed. After obtaining a Biology degree at the University Autonoma, I joined The Foundation for the Study of Viral Hepatitis, focusing my PhD in Hepatitis C virus infections and non-viral related hepatitis. After a short stay in Dr. Rey-Campos lab´s in the Centre for Biological Research, I moved to Prof. Juan Ortín´s lab at the National Biotechnology Centre as a “Juan de la Cierva” and “Sara Borrell” postdoctoral researcher where I further developed my career in the field of RNA viruses, in particular Influenza virus and its interaction with a cellular protein, Staufen1, involved in the traffic and translation regulation of both viral and non viral mRNAs in the cell. In a mainly predominant DNA world, I find RNA a much more fascinating and versatile molecule. Currently I am studying protein-RNA interactions that take place during the RNA splicing process in S. cerevisiae in Prof. Jean Beggs’ lab (Edinburgh).

Opinion about SRUK: I had heard about the SRUK’s activities even before moving to the UK, so, once living in Scotland, joining the Society just seemed the natural path to follow. I was actively involved in the formation of the Scottish Constituency in March 2015, and I have been the secretary in Scotland until July 2016. Currently, I’m SRUK Press Officer.

Name: Nerea Irigoyen
Job position: Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow
Workplace: Division of Virology, University of Cambridge,
City: Cambridge
Board position: Director of the International Relations department

After obtaining a degree in Pharmacy at the University of Navarra (Spain), I carried out a PhD at the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC, Madrid) under the supervision of Dr José Francisco Rodríguez Aguirre and Dr José Ruiz Castón where I studied and gained practical knowledge of structural aspects of viral capsids. Wishing to extend my knowledge in mechanisms of viral translation and virus gene expression, I joined Dr Ian Brierley’s laboratory (Division of Virology. University of Cambridge). Since October 2010, I have been trying to understand the implication of frameshifiting and readthrough in retro- and coronavirus and applying the novel technique of ribosome profiling to positive single stranded RNA viruses. I am a founding member of SRUK and from July 2014 to July 2016 I was the Director of the Cambridge Constituency. I have been actively involved in fostering international collaboration between SRUK and Spanish institutions since January 2015 and became the Director of the Department of International Collaborations in July 2016.

Scientific background: Emma Martínez Sánchez is the Communications and Science Policy Officer of the European Animal Research Association (EARA). EARA is a not-for-profit organisation that seeks to inform audiences on the continued need for responsible animal research in biomedicine in order to promote a sustainable research climate. Previously, Emma was a Research Associate at the WT-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute where she investigated protein transport mechanisms implicated in tumour development in intestinal stem cells. Emma graduated as a PhD in Cellular Biology in 2012 in Utrecht University (Netherlands).

Opinion about SRUK: When I moved to Cambridge in 2013 to do my postdoc in the Stem Cell Institute I met few Spanish scientists who introduced me to SRUK/CERU. I attended few meetings where I enjoyed learning about other STEM disciplines and discussing with other peers about challenges, opportunities and shared interests. Since then, I became more and more involved participating in meetings, discussions and speaking at seminars for our members. I see SRUK/CERU as an unprecendeted initiative that is sucessfully illustrating what highly skilled and migrant younger generations can do for Spanish science in order to aling it to other European countries. I am very proud to form part of this community.

Research Fellow – Translational Laboratory for Cardiovascular Imaging and Therapy
Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC)
Eduardo Oliver received his PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Valencia. In 2010 he started working as a postdoctoral Research Associate at Imperial College London where he investigated on the search for new therapeutic targets on pulmonary hypertension. Thanks to his work, in 2016 receives the Young Investigator Award of the European Federation of Pharmacology (EPHAR). Currently, Eduardo is a researcher at the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) in Madrid thanks to a Research Fellow from the COFUND Marie Sklodwska-Curie actions. Eduardo is also an external professor of the Master’s Degree on Research and Rational Use of Medicines at the University of Valencia since 2013.
During the six years living in the UK, Eduardo played a significant role in the conception and development of SRUK/CERU. He is a founding member and since its formal foundation in 2012, he has been part of the board of directors and various committees, some of which he has launched. He was President between 2015-2016, year in which numerous initiatives were developed. He is also one of the components of the Science Policy committee that developed and presented the Report of Recommendations on R&D in Spain for the General Elections of 2015, he has participated in public debates and written opinion articles in the press about science policy and diplomacy.

After my training as a biologist at the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, I decided to continue doing science and completed a PhD at CNIO (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas) studing the epigenetic modifications on hematological disorders. My next step has been coming to live in Manchester to join the Cancer Research UK – MI as postdoctoral scientist in Tim Somervaille´s lab. I´m fascinating about epigenetics and that´s still my main research focus, with more emphasis in it´s role as putative clinical targets. I joined the Northwest constituency in 2015.

Scientific background: Anna is a biologist with a strong background in clinical research as her PhD focused on the study of brain metabolic alterations, brain neurochemistry, pathophysiology, new monitoring techniques (i.e brain microdialysis) and treatments for traumatic brain injury patients. Her PhD was carried out in the Neurotraumatology and Neurosurgery Research Unit lead by Dr Juan Sahuquillo at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital from Barcelona. During her PhD she also gained knowledge in Stroke field when she was collaborating with the neurologist Dr Joan Montaner and learned about conducting clinical trials. In 2010 she obtained a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship for Career Development with the Professor Guy Brown, at the Department of Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge. Since then she has been investigating the role of microglial phagocytosis in ischemic/hypoxic and traumatic neuronal loss and in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer disease, with the aim to discover potential therapeutic targets.

Opinion about SRUK: I attended the first informal meeting at CB2 restaurant café with a representative from the Spanish Embassy but it was not until a barbecue that was organised in September 2012 when I decided to become more active and be part of the Cambridge constituency working group. In my opinion, SRUK provides an unique environment for networking and promoting outreach activities among all Spanish researchers that live in the UK. It is also a perfect bridge between Spain and the United Kingdom. I think that the Society has grown considerably since its creation and I have met incredibly interesting researchers during this time. I would like to continue contributing to this successful and exciting Society and especially from the Cambridge Constituency.

Scientific background: Daniel obtained his degree in Chemistry from the University of Barcelona in 2013. His growing interest in nanotechnology and electrochemistry encouraged him to complete a Master’s Degree in “Electrochemistry. Science and Technology” (2013-2014). Since October 2014, Daniel is a doctoral researcher in the Centre for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research at the University of Birmingham, under the supervision of Dr. Neil V Rees and Dr. Andrey Kaplan. His research focuses on the preparation of earth-abundant catalysts for PEM electrolyser applications.

Opinion about SRUK: My involvement in the SRUK started in November 2015 after several informal meetings aiming to re-open the previously existing Midlands constituency. After months of hard work in member recruiting and events planning, now our constituency has regained its role in the Midlands territory. The interdisciplinary nature of the events carried out and the constant feedback between the working group members and the events attendees made me realize how valuable our task was to disseminate scientific knowledge. In addition, the SRUK serves as an invaluable platform to provide visibility of the high-quality research performed by Spanish scientists in UK territory while encouraging bilateral agreements between the science policymakers/diplomats and early career researchers. I am highly satisfied with the work carried out thus far, and after the honour of being elected as a director of the Midlands constituency I hope to contribute to the constant improvement of SRUK.

In 2009 I moved to University of Leeds to join, as a postdoctoral Research Associate, the tissue remodelling group headed by Professor Chris Peers at Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine where I investigated the modulation of ion channel activity by gasotransmitters in health and disease. In 2015 I was awarded the Wellcome Trust ISSF fellowship to develop a new area of research focused on the molecular mechanisms of vascular function in health and disease. In particular I investigate endothelial dysfunction associated with autoimmune diseases where there is a dysregulation of the immune system. In March 2017 I was appointed Lecturer in Pharmacology at the University of Bradford where I am currently setting my laboratory up to investigate the physiological role of gasotransmitters in vascular diseases such as pulmonary arterial hypertension and heart failure.

I studied Biology and a Master in Biodiversity at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and my DPhil project is focused on the systematics and evolution of a group of vascular plants from tropical regions. I have previously worked on plant taxonomy, biodiversity conservation and data publication through an open access scheme. I became a member of CERU in December 2014, when the Oxford Constituency was established, and I joined the Department of Online Community Management in June 2015.

Scientific background: Born and raised in Portugalete, VIzcaya, Sandra finished her BSc in Biochemistry by the University of Navarra in 2013. She then moved to London to study a MRes in Biochemistry at UCL (University College London). Since October 2014 Sandra is a PhD candidate funded by the Life Sciences Initiative program, under the joint supervision of Dr Matteo Palma (SBCS) and Prof John Marshall (Barts Cancer Institute). Her research focuses in the use of DNA origami nanostructures as cell-type specific diagnostic and therapeutic tools.

Opinion about SRUK: I am a member of SRUK since December 2013 and the Director of the Online Department sinde March 2015. to promote networking and an exchange of ideas between researchers from the UK and Spain can only benefit both countries, societies and scientist in general. The activities organised by SRUK not only allow science communication to the public, they also give publicity to your own work, they allow you to gain a broader scientific knowledge and to meet very interesting people.

Scientific background: Sara Alvira de Celis graduated as a pharmacist from the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela in 2006 followed by an MSc in Biotechnological Engineer (2006-2008). There, she started her research career in the laboratory of Mark van Raaij, in crystallography of viral proteins. In 2008 she moved to the Centro Nacional de Biotecnología in Madrid to complete her doctoral studies in molecular chaperones and transmission electron microscopy at the laboratory of Jose María Valpuesta. After one year of postdoctoral research in the same laboratory, she accepted in 2014 a Research Associate position at the University of Bristol at the laboratory of Ian Collinson working in protein translocation machineries across membranes from a biochemical and structural view. She was awarded in 2015 with the José Tormo Prize from the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for her PhD studies in structural biology and the same year she obtained an EMBO Long Term Fellowship, her current position at Bristol.

Opinion about SRUK: When I moved to Bristol in 2014, I had already heard about SRUK, and I decided to contribute in an active way to the South-West Constituency. By that moment, the Constituency was inactive and in 2015 with the help of Jon Palacios, current Secretary of South-West, and the Roving Directors we re-activated the Constituency celebrating new events. After one year of hard work looking for promoting our Society in the South-West and engage actively old and new members, I become Director in January of 2017. Nowadays our Constituency is well established again and has increased its members enormously. Moreover, we could recover the connections between the members from other cities, like Cardiff and Bath, and extended our event schedule to those areas, the main objective of mine candidature. Volunteering from SRUK has given me experience and skills in engaging people, organisations and Universities and the great chance to inspire and get inspired for all research fields.