Mechanotransduction is a precisely regulated process in which disruption results in pathologies including tumorigenesis, chronic inflammation, and fibrotic conditions. Recent studies have shown a relationship between abnormal fibrosis, cancer and altered patterns of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity and cell adhesion. However, the mechanistic link between FAK activity at individual focal adhesions and disease progression remains elusive.

My research aims to identify the molecular events that regulate FAK activity during force transmission and sensing of mechanical forces at individual focal adhesions during disease progression. My research combines innovative molecular devices, light-activated adhesive ligands, and microscopy tools, enabling controlled force application at the individual focal adhesions and measuring cell responses in vitro and in vivo.

I obtained an MSc in Materials Science at UPC (Barcelona, Spain) and, a Ph.D. at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG, Ireland). Currently, I am conducting a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship under the supervision of Prof. Andrés J. García (Georgia Institute of Technology, U.S.) and Prof. Arancha del Campo (INM, Germany) in the field of mechanobiology.