Throughout my scientific career, I have secured five consecutive six-year research periods recognized by the National Commission for the Evaluation of Research Activity (CNEAI), with the latest acknowledgment in 2022, as well as accreditation as a Full Professor by ANECA in 2023. My contributions, reflected in a Scopus h-index of 18, encompass 50 international publications with over 1,563 citations. My research has primarily focused on understanding how diet and environmental factors influence the brain and cognition, particularly during aging. Since becoming a principal investigator in 2011, I have adopted a cross-disciplinary and integrative approach, sharing findings through 63 presentations at national and international conferences. Notably, the majority of my scientific work is published in the first quartile journals across various disciplines, including Multidisciplinary Sciences, Neurosciences, Behavioral Sciences, Pharmacology, and Psychology.

I have led multiple research projects, including four as principal investigator, supported by funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Generalitat de Catalunya. Notable grants, such as the NATO Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Gaspar de Portolà program, and the Fulbright-Salvador de Madariaga Fellowship, have enabled international collaborations. Research stays at leading institutions—such as the the University of California, New York University, University of Seville or  the Institute for Biomedical Research in Barcelona, have been pivotal in expanding my expertise in neuroscience.

In addition to research, I have made substantial contributions to the evaluation of scientific initiatives. I served on the Evaluation Committee of the General Sub-directorate for Research Projects in Psychology under the State Plan for Scientific, Technical, and Innovation Research (2013–2016) and evaluated proposals for the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) from 2012 to 2022. Regionally, I contributed as an evaluator for the Xunta de Galicia (2006–2010) and the Generalitat Valenciana (2020–2022). Currently, I am a member of the Programa Academia evaluation panel of ANECA.

Mentorship and education are integral to my academic mission. I have supervised four completed doctoral dissertations, currently mentor three PhD candidates, and have guided 15 master’s projects at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) since 2011. My commitment to advancing education extends internationally; in 2009, I participated in a project by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (AECID) to establish and strengthen postgraduate programs in psychology at the University of the Republic in Uruguay.

My dedication to science communication and outreach has been a vital aspect of my career. I have actively participated in initiatives such as the Youth Mobile Festival Science+Tech and the Saló de l’Ensenyament in Barcelona. Additionally, I have delivered impactful presentations to primary and secondary students, supporting programs like Brain Awareness Week, organized by the Spanish Society of Neuroscience and the DANA Foundation, to inspire young minds to pursue careers in science. My commitment to public engagement is further demonstrated through my participation in a funded science dissemination project (FCT-15-9841).

In university management, I have held key leadership roles, including Department Secretary, Coordinator of the Psychobiology Unit, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, member of the Governing Board of the Institute of Neuroscience, and Coordinator of UAB's PhD Program in Neuroscience. These positions highlight my dedication to fostering academic excellence, enhancing institutional growth, and supporting the next generation of researchers alongside my scientific endeavors.