Our laboratory seeks to understand how membrane proteins and ion channels regulate the function of immune cells in health and disease. We use functional genomics and forward genetic screens to identify novel membrane proteins and ion channel regulators of immune cells. Our research team combines cross-disciplinary approaches including functional genomics, systems immunology, electrophysiology, and a wide range of cell and molecular biology techniques to understand the complex molecular networks regulated by ion channels in immune cells. Our goal is to advance our knowledge of how these plasma membrane proteins coordinate the immune responses to make fundamental and translational advances in immunotherapy.
NYU School of Medicine
New York
Postdoc - Immunology
2022
Center for Applied Medical Research
Spain
Postdoc - Immunology
2014
University of Navarra
Spain
PhD. - Cell & Molecular Biology, Immunology
2012
University of Navarra
Spain
MSc. - Cell & Molecular Biology
2008
University of Panama
Panama
BSc. - Chemical Technology
2007
Age-related decline of chaperone-mediated autophagy in skeletal muscle leads to progressive myopathy.
Age-related decline of chaperone-mediated autophagy in skeletal muscle leads to progressive myopathy. Nat Metab. 2025 Dec; 7(12):2589-2611.
PMID: 41339969
Analysis of Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in Primary T Cells.
Analysis of Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in Primary T Cells. Methods Mol Biol. 2025; 2904:91-113.
PMID: 40220228
Recent advances in the structure, function and regulation of the volume-regulated anion channels and their role in immunity.
Recent advances in the structure, function and regulation of the volume-regulated anion channels and their role in immunity. J Physiol. 2024 Dec 22.
PMID: 39709525
Neurotransmitter signaling specifies sweat gland stem cell fate through SLN-mediated intracellular calcium regulation.
Neurotransmitter signaling specifies sweat gland stem cell fate through SLN-mediated intracellular calcium regulation. bioRxiv. 2023 Sep 13.
PMID: 37745514
Cavß1 regulates T cell expansion and apoptosis independently of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel function.
Cavß1 regulates T cell expansion and apoptosis independently of voltage-gated Ca2+ channel function. Nat Commun. 2022 04 19; 13(1):2033.
PMID: 35440113
The volume-regulated anion channel LRRC8C suppresses T cell function by regulating cyclic dinucleotide transport and STING-p53 signaling.
The volume-regulated anion channel LRRC8C suppresses T cell function by regulating cyclic dinucleotide transport and STING-p53 signaling. Nat Immunol. 2022 02; 23(2):287-302.
PMID: 35105987
STIM1-mediated calcium influx controls antifungal immunity and the metabolic function of non-pathogenic Th17 cells.
STIM1-mediated calcium influx controls antifungal immunity and the metabolic function of non-pathogenic Th17 cells. EMBO Mol Med. 2020 08 07; 12(8):e11592.
PMID: 32609955
Fluoride exposure alters Ca2+ signaling and mitochondrial function in enamel cells.
Fluoride exposure alters Ca2+ signaling and mitochondrial function in enamel cells. Sci Signal. 2020 02 18; 13(619).
PMID: 32071168
Eye on ion channels in immune cells.
Eye on ion channels in immune cells. Sci Signal. 2019 03 12; 12(572).
PMID: 30862701
Targeting the anion exchanger 2 with specific peptides as a new therapeutic approach in B lymphoid neoplasms.
Targeting the anion exchanger 2 with specific peptides as a new therapeutic approach in B lymphoid neoplasms. Haematologica. 2018 06; 103(6):1065-1072.
PMID: 29191842
Young Investigator Award
Cancer Research Foundation
2024 - 2026
Neubauer Family Assistant Professorship
The University of Chicago
2022 - 2027
Bernard B. Levine Postdoctoral Fellow
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
2018 - 2020
Alfonso Martin Escudero Postdoctoral Fellow
Alfonso Martin Escudero Foundation, Spain
2015 - 2017
Torres Quevedo Award
Ministry of Science and Innovation, Spain
2010 - 2013
Excellence Scholarship
Foundation for Applied Medical Research, Spain
2008 - 2012
Grupo Adelante Short-term Fellowship Award
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
2007
Short-term Fellowship Award
International Cooperative Group on Biodiversity, Panama
2007
Alan P. Smith Short-term Fellowship Award
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
2005