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:

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

We propose, model, and optimize experiments aimed at exploring whether there is a limit to mass and complexity for the unambiguous observation of quantum phenomena.

We study the interaction of electromagnetic fields with matter, ranging from single atoms to mesoscopic solid-state objects (e.g., dielectric nano and microspheres), across both classical and quantum regimes. We design and optimize novel protocols for the quantum state engineering of massive objects, taking into account sources of decoherence and noise relevant to current experiments. We examine the emergence and certification of quantum phenomena in massive objects under extreme isolation conditions. Our research requires an interdisciplinary approach to theoretical physics and the ability to collaborate closely with experimental groups.

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

ORCID
: 0000-0003-4006-3391

RESEARCHER ID
: A-2684-2009
Ros Oton, Xavier

Universitat de Barcelona (UB)

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Ros Oton, Xavier
Research Professor at
Universitat de Barcelona (UB)
Experimental Sciences & Mathematics
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Research interests

My research interests are on Partial Differential Equations (PDE), a vast and very active field of research in both pure and applied mathematics. PDE are used in essentially all sciences and engineering, and have important connections with several branches of pure mathematics. I work mainly on topics related to the regularity of solutions to nonlinear elliptic/parabolic PDE. This is one of the most basic and important question in PDE theory: to understand whether all solutions to a given PDE are smooth or if, instead, they may have singularities. Some of my main contributions have been in the context of free boundary problems. These are PDE problems that involve unknown/moving interfaces, such as ice melting to water (phase transitions). From the mathematical point of view, they give rise to extremely challenging questions, and their study is closely connected to geometric measure theory. In particular, the study of free boundary problems has a strong geometrical flavor.

Key words
elliptic and parabolic PDEs; Calculus of Variations; free boundary problems; integro-differential equations.

ORCID
: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1046-168X
Rosell Llompart, Joan

Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV)

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Rosell Llompart, Joan
Research Professor at
Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV)
Engineering Sciences
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Research interests

I am interested in the use of fluid dynamics for designing nanomaterials. We use electrostatic fields to force liquid masses to eject tiny jets, which are then used to make nanodroplets (by electrospray) and nanofibers (by electrospinning). Both by experiment and by computer modeling, we aim to 1) understand the precise mechanisms underlying the fluid dynamic processes involved, 2) devise new nano-fluidic strategies to create functional structures (e.g., ‘smart’ particles for nanobiomedicine), 3) characterize the properties of such structures, 4) engineer ways to assemble them into larger functional supra-structures, e.g. high resolution 3D printing for assembling nanofibers into scaffolds for growing cells into living tissues, and (v) develop strategies to demonstrate how these processes can be scaled up so they can ultimately benefit humankind. I am also interested in the monitoring of contextual variables using sensors to predict and reduce the transmission of respiratory diseases, particularly in school classrooms.

Key words
electrospray, electrospinning, electrohydrodynamics, electrohydrodynamic printing, nanodroplets, nanofibers, nanomaterials

ORCID
: 0000-0002-5288-9150

RESEARCHER ID
: I-4120-2015