About

I am a Postdoctoral researcher in the Walmsley Group within the Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh. 

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My research is at the intersection of computational & systems biology, with proteomics and immunology. It leverages cutting edge ultra-sensitive mass spectrometry based proteomics, combined with computational and systems approaches to characterise granulocytes, neutrophils mostly, in health and chronic inflammation. Neutrophils are vital innate immune cells that form part of our first line of defence against infection. They are extremely important in pathogen clearance and this dysfunctions are linked to a myriad of diseases.

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Neutrophils tend to be one of the most transcriptionally quiescent cell types, hence sequencing is not a good tool to analyse their phenotypes and functional capacities. Here is where proteomics provides an important layer of new biological information for this vital innate cells.

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The other main focus of my work is on developing and maintaining a data sharing platform for the proteomics characterisation of the immune system. This platform is called the Immunological Proteome Resource (ImmPRes), and it integrates and openly shares mass spectrometry proteomics data with the wider research community. it is available at immpres.co.uk 

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Besides a scientist, I am also a cyclist (roadie mostly) and a runner (sort of). I am a fan of ultra endurance riding (200km+) specially if its going through some scenic routes, of which there are plenty in Scotland.

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My current favourite local endurance ride is the Deeside loop, a hilly ride taking you through some of the best roads in Angus, Aberdeenshire (yes you guessed it, along river Dee) and Perthshire. The runner up would be the Three Glens circuit, a more modest but just as scenic route covering Glen Clova, Glen Prosen and Glen Isla.

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@AJ_Brenes if you fancy a cycling chat