OPENING

RAQUEL YOTTI ÁLVAREZ, PhD

Dra. Raquel Yotti is a Spanish cardiologist and clinical researcher with huge expertise in cardiac imaging and genetic-based cardiomyopathies. She got her Bachelor’s in Medicine and Surgery in 1998 at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), with specialization in Cardiology (1999-2003). Afterwards, she got her PhD thanks to an FPI fellowship (2003-2006). She has been principal investigator for more than 10 years (2009) of a group focused on the study of the development and validation of novel methods in imaging processing and hemodynamic signals, in order to deepen the knowledge of the physiopathology and diagnosis of cardiomyopathies. Her brilliant scientific career has resulted in the publication of over 100 research articles. Moreover, Raquel Yotti is leader of the Department of Clinical Cardiology of Gregorio Marañón Hospital (2016) and works as Associate Professor of the Department of Bioengineering in Carlos III University of Madrid (2017). She was General Director of Carlos III Institute for 3 years (2018-2021) and from 2021 she works in the Spanish Science, Innovation and Universities Ministry.

ROUNDTABLE

How to be sustainable in any scientific path

CARLO BATTISTI, PhD

Prof. Carlo Battisti, PhD has a degree in Civil Engineering from the Politecnico of Milan, about twenty years of experience in construction companies, with different roles: technical department, sales manager, project management and technical director. Master in Management and Organizational Development at MIP, the Business School of Politecnico di Milano. Certified Project Manager IPMA®. LEED®, Living Future, WELL and RESET Accredited Professional. GBC Home AP, GBC Historic Building AP. USGBC® and WELL Faculty™. ICAgile Certified Professional. My Green Lab Ambassador. About fifteen years of experience as sustainability and innovation consultant. In 2009-2022 he has been working with IDM Südtirol Alto Adige (former TIS innovation park) of Bolzano as a project manager in the Ecosystem Construction, where he discovered the strategic importance of innovation. In 2017-2021 he has been working also with EURAC research in his role of Chair and project manager of the COST Action 16114 RESTORE. Since 2018 I’m European Executive Director for the International Living Future Institute and now President of Living Future Europe. Since 2021 I’m working as European Stakeholder Engagement for My Green Lab. From 2010 to 2011 he worked as manager of the business unit for sustainable products, contributing to the growth of the Energy and Environment Cluster of Trentino, where he took up the cause of sustainability as a strategic approach to development. From 2015 to 2016 he was co-owner of a startup focused on LEED consulting. In 2015 he co-founded the Living Building Challenge Collaborative: Italy.

JANE KILCOYNE, PhD

Dr. Jane Kilcoyne is a distinguished biotoxin chemist at the Marine Institute Ireland, renowned for her groundbreaking research and contributions to marine sustainability. Her recent publication in Nature has garnered acclaim for its innovative approach to sustainable marine practices. Significant achievements include a drastic reduction in waste production, from 4,000 kilograms per year to just 130 kilograms, achieved primarily through composting, recycling, and avoiding single-use plastics. This study confirmed that using glass containers does not impact test results, which helped overcome initial resistance to this change and monitor biotoxin testing. Additionally, Dr. Kilcoyne is an active member of the Sustainable European Laboratories Network, where she advocates for environmentally responsible practices in scientific research settings. As an Irish My Green Labs member, she is at the forefront of promoting sustainability in laboratories across Ireland, driving initiatives that reduce environmental impact while fostering research excellence. Dr. Kilcoyne’s work not only advances scientific understanding but also paves the way for more sustainable practices in science globally.

JOSÉ JONAY OJEDA, PhD

Dr. José Jonay Ojeda graduated in Medicine from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and is a specialist in Preventive Medicine and Public Health. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the National School of Public Health and has postgraduate training in Research Methodology and Healthcare Quality Management. In his professional career, he has held several management positions at La Paz University Hospital and is currently one of the specialists assigned to the Hospital’s Office for Sustainable Development and the 2030 Agenda. His other professional activities include collaborations with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, the National School of Public Health, the Ministry of Health, and the Regional Ministry of Health of the Community of Madrid. Additionally, he regularly collaborates with the most prominent national and regional scientific societies in the fields of Public Health, Preventive Medicine, and Healthcare Quality.

WORKSHOPS

Alternative career: becoming Lab Manager

LAURA GRAU, PhD

Dr. Grau earned her PhD from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in 2006 and subsequently worked as an associate professor at the same university for an additional two years. Following this, she relocated to Madrid to work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO) from 2008 to 2011, during which time she published numerous articles. She then spent a year at the Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Madrid before joining CNIC in 2012. With over 10 years of experience at CNIC, she brings extensive expertise as a project manager.

Resilience, work engagement and self-care

JUAN JOSÉ BENUNZA, PhD

Dr. Beuzna is a medical doctor with experience in clinical practice and researcher in the field of Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Nutrition. He completed his PhD in 2007 from Universidad de Navarra with his work “Estilos de vida y riesgo de hipertensión arterial en el estudio seguimiento universidad de navarra”, and then he moved to the Harvard School of Public Health where he obtained with Master of Science degree. He has special interest in predictive algorithms and the use of machine learning applied to health. He is founder and Co-Director of Interprofessional Education at the School of Biomedical and Health Sciences at Universidad Europea de Madrid, where he works as Professor. He is also visiting Professor at Universidad Internacional de Cataluña and Universidad Pública de Navarra. He is also a speaker and consultant in the field of teamwork, conflict resolution and interpersonal communication. He has authored the books “Trabajando con alienígenas” and “Manual práctico de inteligencia artificial para entornos sanitarios”, and also published 64 research articles.

Tu doctorado, una puerta abierta al Departamento Médico en el sector biotecnológico y sanitario

MIGUEL VELA, PhD

Talento EPHOS is a postgrad school specialized in masters related to the pharmaceutical, sanitary and biotechnological industry. They are interested in offering a workshop about career choices for new doctors and also in collaborating to the funding of this edition of the CNIC PhDay. Career choices is a recurrent and useful topic for workshops at the CNIC PhDay as it opens the door to different options for early career scientists, most of whom have only experienced academic science. To avoid conflicts of interest, we would clearly state that the workshop could not be an advertising space and we would ask for the presentation slides beforehand. Miguel Vela is the Director of the Alumni Department at Talento-EPHOS. He is a specialist in talent management within organizations with more than 30 years of experience in Human Resources, both in national and international Human Resources strategic consulting, and in Human Resources leadership in various companies. Nowadays, he is responsible for alumni at the Business School Talento-EPHOS, business and postgrad school leader of the pharmaceutical, biotechnological and sanitary sectors. He manages networking among alumni, building  professional relationships and opportunities, leading to professional development, learning and leadership. 

How to implement sustainability in your lab

ANDREA HODGETTS, PhD

Dra. Andrea Hodgetts is the Sustainable Research Manager at UCL and focuses on how research can be conducted in a more sustainable way, with a particular attention on the lab environment. Her career started in research, completing her PhD at King’s College London and undertaking postdoctoral positions at the University of Minnesota and Imperial College London. Andrea then successfully transitioned into research management, followed by project and partnership management within the academic health science sector at Royal Holloway University of London, and subsequently UCL. In early 2024, after graduating from the Terra.do Climate Change: Learning for Action course, Andrea moved to her current role within the LEAF programme where she combines the breadth of her knowledge of the research sector with her passion for sustainability to support researchers to reduce the environmental impact of their work.  LEAF is a standard set by UCL to improve the sustainability and efficiency of laboratories. Join the 85 global institutions already taking part and help address the climate and ecological emergencies through your science.

Respisalud: free dive into science

VIRGINIA JIMÉNEZ PLANET, PhD

Dra. Virginia Jiménez Planet has over 25 years of experience in libraries and documentation centers within audit and consultancy firms, as well as Public Research Institutions. Since 2002, working as a documentation specialist at the National Health Science Library. Responsible for coordinating and managing the Institutional Health Repository (Repisalud), the National Health Sciences Catalog (CNCS), and the BVS Spain portal, while also providing support to the management team. Extensive experience in teaching and collaboration with various institutions, delivering master’s courses, workshops, and seminars on scientific documentation and more. Active involvement in the creation, guidance, and supervision of evidence-based bibliographic searches for researchers, predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows, and medical residents at the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII). Provides advice and training to researchers on open science and access, “FAIR” data management, Data Management Plans, and facilitates open access visibility and preservation of ISCIII’s research results. The National Health Science Library has received special mentions and national awards for quality, innovation, and collaboration in scientific documentation and virtual libraries.

How to write a MSCA-Posdoctoral Fellowship proposal

CARMEN ELODIA GASCO FORTEA, PhD

Dra. Carmen Gasco Fortea has a Degree in Law (2003), Master in European Law (2004) and Master in Economics and Innovation Management (2014). She more than ten years of expertise in managing and preparing proposals for projects funded by various research programs funded by the European Commission. She has been working for 9 years as the coordinator of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program at the International Projects Department of the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM).  In this role, she has actively promoted the participation of researchers in MSCA projects and supported the development of proposals. Carmen has also played a crucial role in facilitating researchers’ pathways toward international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary research careers. Beyond her project management skills, Carmen is experienced in delivering proposal writing training, demonstrated by her involvement in the UPM graduate program “Expert Diploma: European Research Manager,” focusing on preparing and drafting proposals for the MSCA program and the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R). Since 2021, Carmen has worked as an international project technician at the CNIC Project Office.  Here, she provides essential support in identifying international funding, preparing proposals for H2020 and Horizon Europe programmes —particularly regarding CNIC’s involvement in the MSCA Doctoral Network and postdoctoral fellowship programs—as well as engaging with various national and international initiatives. Additionally, she is involved in project management and the preparation of scientific, technical, and financial reports for the CNIC.

Gestión de la sostenibilidad en el animalario

ÁNGEL NARANJO, PhD

Dr. Ángel Naranjo studied veterinary medicine at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) and completed a Master’s in Laboratory Animal Science at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB). For more than 20 years, he has been a veterinarian and head of the animal facility at the National Biotechnology Center (CNB), giving him extensive experience in the management and handling of laboratory animal colonies.

Towards sustainable biobanking: A step beyond conventional research

TERESA BOTTA ORFILIA, PhD

Dra. Teresa Botta-Orfila is currently a Head of FRCB-IDIBAPS Biobank at Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS). Teresa Botta-Orfila brings experience from previous roles at Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Forestal Maresme and Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG). Dr. Botta-Orfila holds a 2008 – 2012 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human/Medical Genetics at the Universitat de Barcelona. She has a robust skill set that includes Research, Cell Culture, Molecular Biology, Science, Neuropathology and she could bring us some advice for being more sustainable in biobank contexts.

KEYNOTE LECTURE

Cambio Climático y salud. Adaptación a las temperaturas extremas

CRISTINA LINARES GIL, PhD

Cristina Linares Gil holds a PhD in Preventive Medicine and Public Health from the Autonomous University of Madrid. She is currently a Senior Scientist and Co-Director of the Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health, and Urban Environment at the Carlos III Health Institute. Dr. Linares is a member of Working Group II of the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC, focusing on “Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health.” She has served as a Lead Author for the chapter on Health and Climate Change for the “Mediterranean Experts on Climate and Environmental Change” network, which received the 2020 North-South Prize from the Council of Europe. Additionally, she has contributed to scientific-technical reports for the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Linares was the Coordinator of the Expert Group for Spain’s first Citizen Assembly on Climate, which received the Extraordinary National Environmental Award in 2022 from MITERD (Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge). In 2023, she was awarded the “II Green Beetle Award” by RTVE for her contributions as a scientific figure in environmental matters. Currently, she is the co-scientific coordinator of the Health and Climate Change Observatory, a joint body established by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Ecological Transition, and the Ministry of Science.

JULIO DÍAZ JIMÉNEZ, PhD

Julio Díaz Jiménez holds a PhD in Physical Sciences from the Complutense University of Madrid, specializing in Earth and Cosmos Physics. He is a Research Professor at the Carlos III Health Institute and Co-Director of the Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health, and Urban Environment at the same institute. Dr. Díaz also serves as Co-Director of the Climate Change and Health Observatory. His research focuses on the impact of climate change on health, particularly in vulnerability and adaptation to extreme temperatures. He also studies the effects of chemical and noise pollution on short-term morbidity and mortality in urban environments. Dr. Díaz is the Coordinator of the “Extreme Temperatures” Group at the Ministry of Health and an Advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, he advises the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge on the health impacts of chemical and acoustic air pollution. He is the author of numerous scientific publications in these areas of expertise. Dr. Díaz has received the North-South Prize from the Council of Europe for his contributions to the analysis of climate change impacts in the Mediterranean, the Environmental Education Award from EA26, and the “Green Beetle Award” from RTVE in its second edition, recognizing his outstanding contributions as a scientific figure. Transition, and the Ministry of Science.

CLOSING LECTURE

Alimentación consciente y regenerativa en el marco de los objetivos de desarrollo interior (ODIs)

GUADALUPE GARRIDO PASTOR, PhD

Guadalupe holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacy, specializing in Biochemistry and Nutrition. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM), where she is part of the Department of Health and Human Performance. She also teaches in the Master’s Program in Secondary Education, High School, and Vocational Training, as well as in the Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. Her outreach efforts go beyond her teaching role, as she also delivers specialized courses in this field, such as “Conscious and Sustainable Nutrition for Physical Activity and Sports Professionals” for the Community of Madrid. Additionally, she collaborates with the UPM Leadership Center, serving as an instructor in two mindfulness programs supported by multiple universities. Finally, she has extensive training in regenerative leadership.