Member Details

Health Equity/Research Interest

My main interest is translational neuropharmacology in neurological disorders without a proven treatment or in which we may be able to move beyond the current gold-standard to improve neurological outcomes. I am particularly interested in catecholaminergic systems (i.e., dopaminergic, noradrenergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission) and drug development in long-term disorders of consciousness and subacute Covid-19 encephalitis and neurological rehabilitation.
My main approach involves the use of molecular neuroimaging with selected radiopharmaceuticals and MRI aiming at: 1- Finding new biomarkers for the disease of interest by selecting or creating a ligand that targets specific neurotransmitter systems believed to participate in the underlying neurological disorder; 2- Understanding the specific pharmacodynamics underneath the pathophysiology of the disease by manipulating the chosen ligand with acute pharmacological interventions competing with it. 3- Translational neuropharmacology from animals to human use.
I have leaded research lines devoted to understand the neural base underlying TBI, Stroke, and Movement Disorders from basic science to Phase III Clinical Trials.
My ultimate goal is to bring pharmacodynamics information up to Phase III Clinical Trials for future innovative neuropharmacological therapeutic interventions for convalescent patients with brain disorders.