Research summary

Genetic studies have demonstrated  that specific mutations confer susceptibility for mental disorder such as  schizophrenia. There is accumulating evidence that these mutations converge on  specific biological pathways involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity  and learning, such as components of the NMDA receptor  signalling complex and calcium channel signalling.  My research is built on these previous  observations and involves examining behaviourally the affective and cognitive  processing of rewards in genetically modified animals with key mutations in  these pathways.
Investigating the general role of  NMDA and Ca+ pathways in learning will elucidate the influence of these  pathways in learning, contributing to the understanding of pathogenesis in  schizophrenia and other mental disorders.

Teaching summary

2016- Present: Postgraduate tutor for first year  undergraduates (leading small-group tutorials and marking practical reports in  order to develop students’ scientific practical report-writing skills)

Undergraduate education

2008 – 2014-  BSc Psychology, University of Granada, Spain

Postgraduate education

2014-2015 –MSc  in Cognitive and Behavioural  Neuroscience, University of Granada, Spain

2016-2020 - PhD, Cardiff University

Employment

November  2014 – July 2016: Research associate at University of Granada