I graduated in Biology at the University of Valencia and doctorate in Biology in 1996 at the University of Alicante. I’m Tenured Scientist of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and co-director of the Sensory Transduction and Nociception group at the Institute of Neuroscience in Alicante. The general theme of the group focuses on elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of pain, thermo and mechanosensation. In particular my research line has been focussed in understanding the cellular and molecular bases of low and high threshold mechanotransduction by mammalian primary sensory neurons using approaches that range from functional studies of ion channels in recombinant systems and primary sensory neurons, to in vivo studies. Embedded in this global objective is the study of the effects of drugs and blockers on the channels involved in sensory transduction in animal models in vivo trying to develop new pharmacological therapies for arthritic pain. Other projects include the transcriptome profiling of subpopulations of primary sensory neurons in different models of chronic pain. We place a special emphasis on understanding the cellular mechanisms that underlie the lowered threshold observed in nociceptors following inflammation and peripheral nerve injury. A recent common focus of the research is the use of novel optogenetic and imaging techniques to interrogate neural circuits. I have established fruitful collaborations with other national and international groups active in the pain and sensory ion channels field: Antonio Ferrer-Montiel (UMH, Spain), Peter Zygmunt (University of Lund, Sweden), Rohini Kuner (University of Heidelberg), Mark Hoon (NIH, USA), Abel Viejo-Borbolla (University of Hannover, Germany).
We also have an extensive network of collaboration with pharmaceutical and biotech companies interested in the development of novel treatments for articular and neuropatic pain.

To date, I have contributed 35 articles and 7 book chapters. Since 2013 I’m a lecturer and coordinate one of the modules of the Master in Neurosciences at University Miguel Hernández. I serve as scientific expert for several national and international agencies, AEI, DEVA, Research Council (KU Leuven), Millennium Science Iniciative (Chile).

In 2021 and 2022 I have been member of the organizing committee and scientific committee of the congresses International workshop on Chronic Pain and Itch: Mechanisms and Circuits and VIII.