Dra. Carmen Espejo Ruiz

I obtained my degree in Biology from the University of Barcelona in 1998. I did my doctoral thesis at the Clinical Neuroimmunology Unit of the Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, in which I studied the role of metallothioneins in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis, obtaining my PhD in Biology from the University of Barcelona in 2005. In 2008, I got a Miguel Servet contract that allowed me to establish myself as principal investigator of the Clinical Neuroimmunology group – Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia. Currently, I am a senior researcher at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute and develop my scientific activity in the Clinical Neuroimmunology group - Center d'Esclerosi Múltiple de Catalunya.
My main scientific interest is the study of the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis with the aim of developing new therapeutic strategies. I am currently focused on the role of immunosenescence in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and the therapeutic potential of different senolytic drugs. I am also studying how the modification of the gut microbiota, through the administration of probiotics, could constitute a therapeutic tool in multiple sclerosis. Finally, I am carrying out a project that aims to induce immune tolerance, through the use of nanomedicine, with the aim of slowing down the autoimmune response in multiple sclerosis. I have more than 25 years of experience in animal models of multiple sclerosis and in the study of the immune response.
At the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, I am a member (since 2003) and the president (since 2006) of the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee. I am also part of the Biosafety Committee (since 2015) and the Research Integrity Committee (since 2020).
I have participated, as main or collaborating author, in 70 publications indexed in peer review journals. I have supervised eight doctoral theses and eight master's final projects. In addition, I participated as a teacher in various training activities, including the Master of Advanced Immunology at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and the University of Barcelona.