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:

Rodríguez Fornells, Antoni

Universitat de Barcelona (UB)

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Rodríguez Fornells, Antoni
Research Professor at
Universitat de Barcelona (UB)
Social & Behavioural Sciences
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Research interests

My recent interests have been on the cognitive neuroscience of language learning and error monitoring. I have tried to combine the use of different neuroimaging techniques (electrophysiological - magnetic resonance imaging), crucial to better understand human cognitive functions. Recently, my research has been focused on the investigation of the neural mechanisms involved when adults and infants learn a new language (an specially its interface with executive functions and the reward system). This approach has been recently applied to understand preserved learning mechanisms in aphasic people. We explored also the inherent relationship between brain structure and brain function (to which extent individual differences in white-matter connectivity constraint cognitive processing). Finally, we have focused on the possible neurorehabilitation effects of learning specific skills (music training) in stroke patients.

Key words
language learning, executive functions, neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience

ORCID
: 0000-0002-3249-6931

RESEARCHER ID
: L-5878-2014
Rodriguez Fraticelli, Alejo E

Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona)

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Rodriguez Fraticelli, Alejo E
Research Professor at
Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona)
Life & Medical Sciences
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Research interests

Hematopoiesis has long been modeled as a stepwise hierarchical process, where all blood arises from a group of rare multipotent stem cells. In recent years, we have made major contributions that have challenged this paradigm, revealing an extensive heterogeneity among individual stem cells and their differentiation trajectories. To study heterogeneity, our lab develops advanced genetic tools that allow the simultaneous recording of progeny and state for thousands of single cells at a time. Using these methods, termed single-cell lineage tracing, we have uncovered distinct gene regulatory states linked with heritable fates during regeneration. More recently, we have been focused on how these differences in fate behaviors arise during development and how they influence cellular responses to leukemic mutations and aging. We propose that mapping cellular phylogenetics will lead to a revolution in understanding and treating disease.

Key words
"Lineage tracing" "Single-cell" "Hematopoiesis" "Stem Cell" "Clonal analysis" "Regeneration" "Self-renewal"

ORCID
: 0000-0002-4017-8714

RESEARCHER ID
: AAG-7462-2020
Rodriguez Nebreda, Angel

Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona)

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Rodriguez Nebreda, Angel
Research Professor at
Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona)
Life & Medical Sciences
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Research interests

The group investigates how external signals are interpreted by cells to modulate their proliferation, differentiation and survival, focusing on the p38 MAPK pathway. Current work addresses the role of p38 MAPKs in tumor development and chemoresistance mechanisms both by regulating the fitness of the cancer cell and by controlling the cross talk between cancer cells and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. We use a combination of biochemical approaches and chemical tools with studies in established cell lines and primary cell cultures, as well as in vivo experiments using mouse models. Our goal is to identify therapeutic opportunities based on the modulation of p38 MAPK signaling. We are also performing screenings to find actionable targets that can be used to boost current therapeutic approaches and to design new targeted therapies for highly heterogeneous and chemoresistant tumors.

Key words
MAP kinase, CDK regulation, signaling network, stress response, cancer cell homeostasis, tumor microenvironment, mouse model, chemotherapy resistance, targeted therapy

ORCID
: 0000-0002-7631-4060
Rodríguez Ranero, César

Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC - ICM)

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Rodríguez Ranero, César
Research Professor at
Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC - ICM)
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
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Research interests

My scientific goal is to conceptually advance our understanding of fundamental processes of rifting, passive margins evolution, seafloor spreading, and subduction systems. I am particularly interested on the processes that govern the relations between the behaviour of earthquakes, long-term tectonics, and fluid flow. For this end, I strive to obtain the best quality observations by personally leading field acquisition, analysis, and processing of data. I have specialized in complex, multi-disciplinary experiments, coordinating teams of multi-national scientists to acquire data during cruises that have produced major breakthroughs, and leading drilling projects for ground-truthing to test competing models. With my group, I work on the development of bleeding-edge geophysical methods that yield novel observations of interest for basic science as well as for technological transfer to industry stake holders.

Key words
Rifting, Continental Margins, Subduction Zones, Mid Ocean Ridges, Tectonics, Earthquakes.

ORCID
: 0000-0002-5204-545X

RESEARCHER ID
: B-9165-2009
Roig Sanz, Diana

Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)

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Roig Sanz, Diana
Research Professor at
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)
Humanities
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Research interests

Her research interests deal with cultural and global literary history and sociology of translation from a digital humanities approach and her successive projects have been based on a consistent and fruitful research line on cultural transfer and the circulation of cultural goods, in which she has strived to challenge and revise former scholarly interpretations and develop new original approaches.

Key words
Global Studies / Networks and Cultural Mediation / Sociology of Translation / Cultural Analytics and Digital Humanities

ORCID
: 0000-0002-6353-7708

RESEARCHER ID
: AAL-2938-2021
Romero-Isart, Oriol

Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO)

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Romero-Isart, Oriol
Research Professor at
Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO)
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
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Research interests

Over the last 5 years, my research group (romeroisartgroup.com) has focused on quantum optics and nanophysics. Our main research activity has been in the field of levitodynamics - the levitation and control of microobjects in vacuum using optical, magnetic, and electric forces, where we have established a leading position. Our contributions to this field in the past 5 years include developing a quantum theory of light matter interaction for levitated microspheres, designing protocols to prepare large macroscopic quantum superpositions, and studying the use of internal solid-state excitations in levitated micromagnets to cool their center-of-mass motion. We have recently published a review article in Science that summarizes the state of the art in this exciting research field, which has applications for fundamental science and technology.

In addition to levitodynamics, we have also done research in other areas of quantum science, collaborating closely with experimental groups. Our work has included understanding experiments involving cold atoms trapped in the evanescent field of optical fibers and in optical tweezers, and proposing pulse engineering techniques to address quantum emitters in the optical and microwave regimes, with applications for superconducting qubits and quantum magnonics.

Our research, which prioritizes quality, innovation, and experimental relevance, has had significant impact in terms of scientific publications and third-party funding. We have published 37 articles (6 under review) since 2018, including 13 in Physical Review Letters, 1 in Science, 2 in Nature Physics, 1 in Physical Review X, and 13 long articles in other Physical Review journals. These articles range from cutting-edge experimental proposals to thorough theoretical modelling and understanding of complex quantum optics experiments. We were also awarded an ERC Synergy grant in 2020, which I am coordinating together with the leading experimental groups in the field of levitodynamics.

Key words
quantum optics, nanophysics, levitodynamics, optomechanics, macroscopic quantum physics

ORCID
: 0000-0003-4006-3391

RESEARCHER ID
: A-2684-2009