Get to know the exceptional members of Myelin Alicante Labs!
At Myelin Alicante Labs, we prioritize creating a conducive and comfortable work environment to enhance productivity and foster an exceptional workplace culture.
We understand that the day-to-day experiences of our team members play a crucial role in their overall satisfaction and ability to perform at their best.
We also proudly showcase the incredible individuals who make up our team.
From skilled developers and designers to innovative researchers and strategists, each member brings their unique expertise, creativity, and passion to every project we undertake.
Consequently, we firmly believe that a positive and supportive work environment is essential for success. By promoting collaboration, well-being, and personal growth, we strive to create an atmosphere where our team members feel empowered and inspired.
Join us as we introduce you to the talented individuals who contribute to the thriving community of Myelin Alicante Labs. Together, we are dedicated to pushing boundaries, embracing challenges, and cultivating an environment that enables our team to thrive.
Stay tuned to meet our exceptional team members and witness firsthand the transformative power of a harmonious and comfortable work environment.
Principal Investigators
Alerie Guzmán de la Fuente
Principal Investigator
Info
Alerie Guzman de la Fuente received her PhD in Clinical Neuroscience in 2015 from the University of Cambridge (UK), where she also carried out her first postdoctoral research associate position (2015-2018). She then completed her postdoctoral training with an ECTRIMS postdoctoral fellowship (2018-2020) and a Wellcome ISSF early career fellowship (2020-2022).
She is currently a Miguel Servet Investigator at the Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL) and the Institute of Neurosciences CSIC-UMH and a Visiting Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast (UK). Her lab aims at better understanding neuro-immune interactions in the central nervous system.
Her research focuses on understanding the crosstalk between oligodendrocyte lineage cells and the immune system in health, disease and ageing and how this crosstalk shapes myelin formation and regeneration. Her lab’s mission is to uncover novel principles governing myelin regenerative biology in a collaborative environment, while mentoring and inspirating the next generation of myelin biologists.
Jose A. Gomez-Sanchez
Principal Investigator
Info
Jose Antonio Gomez Sanchez obtained his PhD in Neurosciences at the University Miguel Hernandez in 2010, where his interest in Schwann Cell Biology began. After a three-year postdoc at the Institute of Neurosciences CSIC-UMH investigating the molecular mechanisms governing Schwann cell myelination and tumorigeneses, he moved to the University College London (UCL) to continue his postdoctoral period.
At UCL Jose Antonio uncovered novel molecular pathways governing myelin degradation (myelinophagy), Schwann cell reprogramming to repair Schwann cells and regeneration in the young and aged peripheral nervous system while acquiring significant light and electron microscopy expertise. In 2017, he returned to the Institute of Neurosciences CSIC-UMH as a Junior Researcher investigating the role of Schwann Cells in ocular neurobiology.
He is now a Miguel Servet Investigator at the Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL) and the Institute of Neurosciences CSIC-UMH and the head and scientific lead of the electron microscopy facility at ISABIAL. His lab’s goal is to identify molecular pathways controlling Schwann cell contribution to peripheral nervous system myelination and regeneration.
His research aims to understand how Schwann cells are activated to repair phenotype after damage, regenerate myelin and protect peripheral nerves in the event of acute and chronic damage and ageing.
Hugo Cabedo Martí
Principal Investigator
Info
After his medical training, Hugo Cabedo Marti finished his PhD in Neurobiology at the Centro de Investigaciones Principe Felipe in 1995. When completing his postdoctoral training at the University Miguel Hernandez, he obtained a Miguel Servet Investigator award to start his own group at the Institute of Neuroscience CSIC-UMH in 2002.
During this period he made stays abroad in different laboratories (Molekulare Neurobiologie Zentrum, Hamburg, Germany; Department of Pharmacology University of Virginia, USA; Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research UCL, London UK and Department of Pharmacology University of Cambridge, UK).
In 2008 he obtained a group leader position at the Institute of Neurosciences CSIC-UMH and ISABIAL and in 2021 he became an Associate Professor of Physiology at the University Miguel Hernandez.
The main goal of his lab is to explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms signalling between axon and glial cells during the development of the myelin sheath, nerve regeneration and demyelinating conditions. His lab has specialised in epigenetic control of Schwann cell differentiation in health and disease.
Lab Manager
Postdoctoral Researcher
Andrés Fuentes
Postdoctoral Researcher
Info
I graduated in Biotechnology from the “Universidad Mayor de Chile” in 2014 where I also obtained my PhD in Integrative Genomics in 2023.
As a postdoctoral researcher at ISABIAL and the Institute of Neuroscience CSIC-UMH, my main scientific interest is the understanding of neuronal regeneration, specifically in the peripheral nervous system under clinical and physiological contexts such as aging and chronic denervation.
Sergio Velasco-Avilés
Postdoctoral Researcher
Info
I am graduate in Biology from the University of Alicante and a Doctor in Neuroscience from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche. I began my research career in 2014, focusing on the myelination of the peripheral nervous system.
My work centres on studying the molecular processes that regulate the myelination of axons during development, as well as axonal regeneration and remyelination following traumatic injuries.
PhD Students
NIKIBEN PATEL PATEL
PhD Students
Info
I obtained my Degree in Biology at the University of Alicante. Later, I obtained a Master in Neuroscience at the Instituto of Neurosciences UMH-CSIC and the «Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche».
As part of my ongoing PhD, I have been working in the epigenetic mechanisms underlying myelination and re-myelination in Schwann cells and also characterizing mutations linked to Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a devastating peripheral nervous system demyelinating disease.
Rubí Hernández Rojas
PhD Students
Info
I graduated from the “Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México” with a Bachelor´s Degree in Pharmaceutical-Biological Chemistry and a Master´s Degree in Biochemistry.
Later, I moved to the “Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche”, to study a Master´s Degree in Neuroscience.
I am currently working in my PhD, researching the role of different epigenetic regulators, in the development and maintenance of myelin in the PNS and in the CNS using a murine model.
SONIA CABEZA FERNÁNDEZ
PhD Students
Info
I graduated in Biomedicine from the “Universidad de Sevilla” in 2021 and then, I studied a Master’s Degre in Neuroscience at the “Universidad Miguel Hernández”.
These studies allowed me to embark into projects focused on understanding the mechanisms involved in myelin biology.
Currently, my project aims to understand the pathways governing OPC response to demyelination.
Andrea Ibañez Grau
PhD Students
Info
I graduated Biotechnology at the “Universidad Politécnica de Valencia” in 2016 and then embarked into a Master’s Degree in Translational Research and Personalised Medicine at the University of Granada in 2018 and a second Master’s Degree in Assisted Reproduction in 2022.
Currently, I provide support to the electron microscopy platform, and I just started my PhD in the field of myelin biology.
Andrea Poveda Sabuco
PhD Students
Info
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Alicante and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience from the University of Valencia.
During my studies, I was engaged in MRI projects investigating alcohol addiction (in collaboration with CSIC) and schizophrenia (with BIOTECMED). Additionally, I have experience in CT image analysis, where I developed skills in bone segmentation and 3D reconstruction.
Currently, I am a member of Group 49 for Research in Myelin, Neuroimmunology, and Electron Microscopy, where I perform duties as a microscopist and image data analyst for electron and optical microscopy.
Laia Fuster Fullana
PhD Students
Info
I hold a degree in Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences from the University of Valencia, and I obtained a Master’s degree in Neurosciences at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche. Throughout my career, I have gained experience in advanced techniques of molecular biology, histology, and cell culture.
I have had the opportunity to work on several research projects, such as the Functional Genomics of Yeast group at the University of Valencia, the laboratory of Clinical and Translational Research in Cardiology at La Fe Health Research Institute and the Cellular Plasticity and Neuropathology group at the Instituto de Neurociencias in Alicante. Currently I am working as a Researcher at the Myelin Labs at ISABIAL.
Beatríz Gutierrez
PhD Students
Info
I hold a degree in Biology from the University of Valencia and a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences from UDIMA. Currently.
I am a member of Group 49 for Research in Myelin, Neuroimmunology, and Electron Microscopy at ISABIAL, where I contribute to the study of the immune system’s role, particularly T cells, in the regeneration of aged or chronically damaged peripheral nerves.
Previously, I gained extensive experience in cytogenetics, molecular biology, and NGS sequencing at the La Fe Health Research Institute. Additionally, I contributed to research on neurodegenerative diseases using Drosophila melanogaster as a model in the Human Molecular Genetics Group at the University of Valencia.
My background also includes work in synthetic biology at I²SysBio and training in assisted reproduction techniques at FIV Valencia.
Celia Ferriz Núñez
PhD Students
Info
I hold a degree in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and a master’s in Animal Genetic Improvement and Reproductive Biotechnology, also from the UPV. During my academic training, I had the opportunity to participate in various research projects, working with the Severe Infection Laboratory at the University and Polytechnic Hospital La Fe and the Animal Science Department at the UPV.
Currently, I am a member of the Research Group 49 on Myelin, Neuroimmunology, and Electron Microscopy, which is part of the Institute for Health and Biomedical Research of Alicante (ISABIAL).
Master and Bachelor Students
Adrián Requena
Master and Bachelor Students
Info
I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, specializing in research, followed by a Master’s in Neuroscience. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Bioinformatics and doing an internship at ISABIAL.
In the lab, I work on the automatic detection and segmentation of myelinated axons through image processing, as well as developing algorithms for automated axon counting using FiJi.
Laboratory Technicians
ángeles Casillas Bajo
Lab Manager
Info
I graduated in Chemistry at the “Universidad Autónoma de Madrid” in 1995.
After completing my degree, I started working as a laboratory technician. Since then, I have worked within different groups at the Institute of Neurosciences CSIC-UMH and I am currently Myelin Alicante’s laboratory manager, providing support and genetics expertise.
María Aznar Mas
Laboratory Technician
Info
I graduated as a laboratory technician in in Pathology, Anatomy and Cytodiagnostic technique techniques in June 2021 at the IES Leonardo Da Vinci.
Currently, I provide technical support both, to the Myelin Alicante Labs as well as the electron microscopy platform at ISABIAL.
Angela Armengol Gomis
Laboratory Technician
Info
I completed my training as laboratory technician in June 2021 at the Leonardo Da Vinci high school.
Now, I work as a research technician at ISABIAL, where may main functions include to provide support with histology and electron microscopy by processing nervous system tissue.
Ghizlane Ennatiji
Laboratory Technician
Info
Technician in Anatomical Pathology and Cytodiagnosis, graduated in June 2019 from IES Ramón y Cajal (Murcia).
Currently, I am part of the Myelin, Neuroimmunology and Electron Microscopy Research Group at ISABIAL, collaborating in studies of neurodegenerative pathologies using advanced microscopic analysis techniques.
Former members
- Nikiben Patel – PhD Student
- Rosa Lucía Becker – Master Student
- Álvaro Guerrero Hernández – PhD Student
