At Eindhoven University of Technology, my research uses 3D cardiac models to study how mechanical forces influence the organization of the extracellular matrix and cells. Through our interdisciplinary approach in mechanobiology, tissue engineering and biofabrication, I hope to uncover strategies to guide the restoration of healthy cardiac anisotropy, promote tissue repair, and prevent maladaptive remodeling.
Beyond research, I am deeply committed to connecting science with society. Since my PhD, I’ve co-led an initiative that brings together early-career Spanish researchers at the University of Cambridge each year: the ‘From Science to Society workshop (FS2S)’. Last month, we celebrated its fifth edition, hosted at Downing College of Cambridge University and supported by the Rafael del Pino Foundation.
The workshop was born from a simple but pressing idea. As a Spanish scientist who has studied and worked both at home and abroad, I’ve seen first-hand the difference that international exposure and mentorship can make. Together with a colleague from my undergraduate studies, we founded FS2S to help young scientists in Spain access those opportunities — promoting innovation, science policy, and academia–industry collaboration as essential drivers of scientific progress.
Achieving this vision required perseverance and teamwork. We sought funding to make the event financially accessible, believing that talent should never depend on means. But seeing the impact on participants — many of whom later joined international labs or created their own startups from scratch — has been the most rewarding outcome. Today, FS2S welcomes about 30 participants each year and has grown into a national platform for scientific dialogue and leadership.
Connecting Ideas, People, and Impact
Each edition features inspiring speakers from academia, biotech, and science policy. This year’s program included Kai Stoeber from Johnson & Johnson Innovation, who discussed innovation in disease prevention; Cheryl Smythe from Altos Labs, sharing how to build inclusive and creative research environments; and Florian Markowetz, Professor of Computational Oncology at the University of Cambridge, exploring how academic knowledge can improve patient care through partnerships with industry. Additional talks explored patent protection (Camille Terfve), bridging science and entrepreneurship (Agata Nyga), and the power of international collaboration and science diplomacy (José María Robles Fraga and Anna Fumarola).
What began as a small initiative between two friends has evolved into a vibrant platform connecting Spanish researchers across disciplines and borders. FS2S continues to grow as a space for learning, exchange, and inspiration — a testament to what young scientists can achieve when given the chance.
Through my research at DRIVE-RM and my outreach work with FS2S, I hope to contribute both to understanding how the heart heals and to strengthening the scientific community that makes this progress possible. Whether engineering heart tissues in the lab or creating opportunities for others to grow, my goal remains the same: to help science reach further — into new discoveries, and into society itself.
Want to learn more about this initiative? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WDXSeQ-VjQ
