Dr. Vanesa Sánchez-Martín | Ciencia de los Alimentos | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín is a Spanish biologist and pharmacologist specializing in food science, pharmacognosy, and nutraceuticals. She earned her PhD in Pharmacy from Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020. Currently, she works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Food Bioscience Group (CIAL, UAM-CSIC), focusing on the health benefits and sustainability of novel foods. Her academic background is reinforced by a Master’s in Therapeutic Targets and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Universidad de Alcalá. With substantial teaching experience at both UCM and Universidad Europea de Madrid, she also contributes to thesis supervision and academic panels. She actively participates in scientific communication, congresses, and public outreach, such as Science Week. Dr. Sánchez Martín has authored peer-reviewed articles and engages in research on functional foods, immunomodulation, and metabolic health. Her multidisciplinary work bridges pharmacology, nutrition, and cellular signaling for sustainable healthcare innovations.

Profile

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🎓 Education

Dr. Sánchez Martín holds a PhD in Pharmacy (2017–2020) from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where she studied the molecular basis of antitumoral activity from hispanolone derivatives. She achieved the highest academic distinction: Summa Cum Laude. Prior to that, she completed a Master’s degree in “Therapeutic Targets in Cellular Signaling: Research and Development” (2014–2015) at Universidad de Alcalá, providing her with strong expertise in biomedical signaling pathways. Her academic journey began with a Bachelor’s in Biology (2010–2014), also from Universidad de Alcalá. She has taken over 15 specialized training courses, including bioinformatics, animal experimentation, pedagogy, and fluorescence imaging. Additionally, she has actively attended seminars in oncology, immunology, and molecular medicine at top Spanish institutions such as Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Her continuous training underlines her multidisciplinary foundation and strong alignment with the rapidly evolving fields of pharmacology, food science, and research methodology.

🧪 Experience

Dr. Sánchez Martín’s professional experience spans academic research, university-level teaching, and scientific communication. She is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias de la Alimentación (CIAL), working under Dr. Dolores del Castillo on food bioactivity and novel sustainable foods. From 2021–2022, she was a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, UCM. Earlier, she served as an Associate Professor at Universidad Europea de Madrid, where she also coordinated the Human Genetics course. She has collaborated in practical teaching and seminars at UCM’s Veterinary Faculty. Beyond teaching, she has evaluated bachelor’s theses and supervised student research, including Erasmus+ interns. She has contributed to public outreach via Science Week and CSIC media and participated in international conferences like Food4Future and SEDCA. Her experience highlights a balance between research, education, and public engagement in biomedical and nutritional sciences.

🏅 Awards and Honors

Dr. Sánchez Martín has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout her academic and professional career. Her PhD was awarded Summa Cum Laude, a distinction reserved for top-performing doctoral researchers. She has been selected as an evaluator for undergraduate thesis defenses at prestigious institutions like the Basque Culinary Center, underscoring her academic leadership. Her work on sustainable food innovations has been featured by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), notably the widely cited report on anti-inflammatory compounds from coffee husk pulp. She has also actively contributed to high-level scientific outreach activities, including Science Week and seminars at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. In addition, her research group has been recognized in leading journals, and she has presented at major international conferences, including the Spanish Society of Nutrition (SEÑ). These accolades reflect her multidisciplinary impact across pharmacology, food science, and public health.

🔬 Research Focus

Dr. Vanesa Sánchez Martín’s research bridges pharmacology, nutrition, and biotechnology, with a focus on the development of novel bioactive compounds for therapeutic and nutraceutical applications. Her doctoral work investigated the molecular mechanisms of antitumor agents derived from hispanolone. As a postdoctoral researcher, her studies center on food sustainability and metabolic health, particularly through the valorization of agri-food by-products like coffee leaves and cocoa pods. She co-authored research under review exploring the immunomodulatory properties of honey-propolis mixtures. Additionally, she investigates dietary impacts on inflammation and microbiota through natural compounds. Her expertise encompasses fluorescence imaging, cellular signaling, and high-throughput screening. Recent publications and conference presentations emphasize the pharmaceutical potential of functional foods. By combining pharmacological precision with nutritional applications, her research aims to address public health challenges through innovative, sustainable solutions.

✅ Conclusion