The ICREAs

ICREA Research Professors form a vibrant community of scientists and researchers in all areas of knowledge that contribute to the advancement of humankind by exploring, interpreting and questioning. Have a look and learn about their amazing discoveries and findings here:

Quian Quiroga, Rodrigo

Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM)

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Quian Quiroga, Rodrigo
Research Professor at
Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques (IMIM)
Life & Medical Sciences
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Research interests

Given my initial background in Physics and Applied Mathematics, I have developed Signal Processing methods for the analysis of complex electrophysiology data. In particular, I developed a ‘spike sorting’ algorithm to identify the activity of single neurons that outperformed previous algorithms and that is currently used by several laboratories worldwide [Neural Comp 2004]. The use of this algorithm allowed me to discover a new type of neuron in the human brain, so called “Concept Cells” or “Jennifer Aniston neurons”, which fire selectively to specific concepts [Nature 2005]. In following studies, we showed that these neurons form and store memories [Neuron 2015; Nat. Comm. 2016; Nat. Comm. 2018; Cell 2019], and based on these data, I have proposed that memory coding in the human hippocampus is completely different to what has been described in other species and can be the basis of cognitive abilities uniquely developed in humans [Cell 2017; Science 2019; Cell 2019; TiCS 2020].

Key words
signal processing, neurophysiology recordings, computational neuroscience

ORCID
: 0000-0001-6534-3993

RESEARCHER ID
: IUO-0968-2023
Radjenović, Jelena

Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua (ICRA)

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Radjenović, Jelena
Research Professor at
Institut Català de Recerca de l'Aigua (ICRA)
Engineering Sciences
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Research interests

I am an expert in chemical and electrochemical advanced (waste)water treatment, with a focus on the fate of chemical and microbial contaminants and resource recovery. My research aims to increase the efficiency and resilience of water treatment and reuse through the development of sustainable, energy-efficient and renewable energy-driven technologies. My core expertise is the development of low-cost, nanostructured electrode materials, their implementation in electrochemical systems for (waste)water treatment, as well as elucidation of the mechanism of contaminant degradation at the nano-scale level. My group has developed several patented, low-cost nanostructured electrodes that overcome major limitations of existing, commercial electrode materials and are capable of efficient contaminant degradation and recovery of valuable byproducts.

Key words
water treatment, persistent contaminants, nanoelectrochemical systems

ORCID
: 0000-0003-4356-2110

RESEARCHER ID
: D-1262-2017
Ramón Azcón, Javier

Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)

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Ramón Azcón, Javier
Research Professor at
Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC)
Engineering Sciences
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Research interests

My group ‘Biosensors for Bioengineering’ is focused on a new line of research that has become of extreme importance in the last years. My idea is to integrate biosensor technology and nanotechnology with stem cell research and tissue engineering. Engineered tissues are integrated with biosensing technology to obtain microdevices (microtissues and ‘Multi-Organ-on-a-Chip’ (multi-OOC)) to detect cellular responses to external stimuli, monitor the quality of the microenvironment, and support diverse cellular requirements. This research on 3D-functional engineered tissues is expected to develop tissue construction knowledge and their functions and relation to some human diseases. Integration of fully functional tissues with microscale biosensor technology allowed us to obtain OOC. These chips could be used in pharmaceutical assays. They could be a step toward the ultimate goal of producing in vitro drug testing systems crucial to the medicine and pharmaceutical industry.

Key words
Biosensors; Electrochemistry; Nanotechnology; Flow techniques; Peptides and proteins; Enzymatic reactions; Total synthesis; Biomaterials; Cell culture; Tissue culture

ORCID
: orcid.org/0000-0002-3636-8013

RESEARCHER ID
: A-2439-2014
Raya Chamorro, Ángel

Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)

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Raya Chamorro, Ángel
Research Professor at
Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)
Life & Medical Sciences
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Research interests

Our research work aims to understand the tissue, cellular and molecular mechanisms that determine the regenerative response in certain species of vertebrates, as well as the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that control cellular reprogramming. This phenomenon provides a link between the traditional study of epimorphic regeneration and the induced pluripotency strategies of regenerative medicine.

Key words
Stem cells, pluripotency, regeneration, heart, cell differentiation

ORCID
: 0000-0003-2189-9775

RESEARCHER ID
: E-6205-2010
Reguant Rido, Mar

Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC - IAE)

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Reguant Rido, Mar
Research Professor at
Institut d'Anàlisi Econòmica (CSIC - IAE)
Social & Behavioural Sciences
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Research interests

My research agenda is focused on the study of energy markets (and other energy-intense industries) and how they interact with environmental and climate policies. I develop quantitative models and tools to study and quantify the impacts of various policies.

I have examined the impact of carbon prices on electricity markets, the exercise of market power by power plants in the presence of dynamic costs, the interaction between market power and leakage in cap-and-trade regulations, and the impacts of market power in sequential markets. I also study the unequal impacts of climate policies.

I put special emphasis on how machine learning tools can contribute to our analysis of these markets. For example, over the last years, I have published work studying the impact of energy efficiency policies using a diff-in-diff machine-learning framework. In my ERC grant, "ENECML: Understanding the Energy Transition with a Machine Learning Toolbox" I further expand this line of research.

Key words
electricity markets, climate policy, environmental regulation

ORCID
: 0000-0001-8877-5780
Reyes García, Victoria

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

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Reyes García, Victoria
Research Professor at
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Social & Behavioural Sciences
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Research interests

My research encompasses the interdisciplinary study of the dynamic relations among peoples, biota, and environments. I use a multidisciplinary perspective (working with ecologists, economists, psychologists, agronomists, archaeologists, and computer scientists) and empirical data to analyse 1) the effects of global change on rural livelihoods and local environments and 2) social responses to environmental changes. My research draws on insights from anthropology and the behavioural sciences to work at multiple levels- from the views of villagers in developing nations to those of policy-makers in industrial nations. My current areas of research include 1) local indicators of climate change impacts, 2) public participation in the documentation of local knowledge, 3) the adaptive nature of local environmental knowledge, 4) Indigenous peoples and cultural change, and 5) local participation in biodiversity conservation.

Key words
Biocultural diversity; Conservation; Global change; Ethnoecology; Indigenous and local knowledge systems; local indicators climate change.

ORCID
: 0000-0002-2914-8055

RESEARCHER ID
: C-4552-2008