David Velasco Gail serves as the National Coordinator of EATRIS Spain and is based in the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), which is the funding body of EATRIS Spain. As the inaugural country in the EATRIS Spotlight programme, EATRIS Spain will be showcased for its scientific excellence and capabilities, enhancing its visibility on both national and European levels.
You can also read interviews with Laura Garcia Bermejo (National Director of EATRIS Spain) and Daniel Ruiz Iruela (Governor of EATRIS Spain).
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is David Velasco Gail, and I was born in Asturias but grew up in an area often referred to as “Empty Spain” due to its sparse population – my village had only around 400 inhabitants. I studied at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, with a focus on Environmental Sciences, and went on to complete a Master’s in Renewable Energies at the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo. My studies and my work at the Technology Transfer Office in the Universidad Complutense de Madrid sparked my interest in international relations and I had a chance to work at the Spanish Innovation Agency in Ottawa, Canada promoting research projects between Spanish and Canadian companies. I’ve had the opportunity to work in both R&D and public sectors, both domestically and internationally, blending complementary experiences until two years ago when I got a position at the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) as a civil servant. To crudely translate, I am a special technician of managing R&D, with an international focus.
I’m still in the early stages of my career, so I don’t feel like I have too many achievements to show, but I would like to make a difference in the field of environmental and technological advancements.
My passion lies in having a tangible impact on society and the environment through technological advancements. Though I’m not a scientist, I work closely with researchers in the health sector. I’ve had the opportunity to work in both R&D and public sectors, both domestically and internationally, blending complementary experiences.
How are you connected to EATRIS and what does it mean to you that Spain is a member of EATRIS?
I serve as the National Coordinator for EATRIS Spain, which has 32 members out of the total 35 health research institutes accredited in Spain. Within those health research institutes, there are more than 20,000 researchers. EATRIS is a key platform for internationalising Spanish health research, offering opportunities for training, networking, and securing international funding. Spain’s membership in EATRIS helps our research institutes broaden their impact, ultimately benefiting patients and society. As the National Coordinator, I support the researchers in finding opportunities to develop and internationalise their research through calls, trainings, projects etc.
The topic on the EATRIS Spain spotlight programme is “Climate Change and Health” which has a special importance for me. Given Spain’s position in southern Europe, the effects of climate change are more immediate and severe. This is particularly relevant to how climate change affects our health. The guide for climate change study is simple:
- Find how climate change affects health
- (Try to) prevent
- Adapt the infrastructure, the health research and the National Health Systems
Our aim is to try to adapt our national health systems, research goals and attitude to this situation that we are living in. We need to help people not only in Spain or the south of Europe but all over the world because of the characteristics of climate change. It is something that affects every single human being.
Tell us a little more about your work, and what does a typical week look like for you?
As a National Coordinator, I disseminate the news and opportunities from EATRIS to our institutes and vice versa: I keep the EATRIS Coordination and Support informed about the developments in Spain. I also help new institutions join EATRIS and organise the national meetings of the EATRIS governing boards, mirror platforms and more,
On top of my EATRIS tasks, I coordinate the Precision Medicine Infrastructure (IMPaCT) here in ISCIII. On an average week, I also do tasks for the Ethics and Scientific Integrity area of ISCIII, which oversees all potentially controversial aspects of research and handles the registry of such cases. This is a rather large and complex area and while the overlap with EATRIS activities is small, I find it an interestingly diverse range of topics to enrich my week.
What is translational research for you?
Before joining ISCIII, I wasn’t familiar with translational research. Now, after my experience at EATRIS and the Spanish Precision Medicine Infrastructure, I see it as essential to bridging the gap between the lab and real-world medical applications, providing a tangible impact on patients and society. It’s about solving problems that directly improve lives.
Why did you decide to work in the translational medicine field?
I didn’t consciously choose it, but through experience, I’ve realised that translational medicine offers a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to healthcare. It moves beyond focusing on a single molecule for one disease, allowing a broader understanding of what truly matters to patients. I also value the opportunity to engage directly with patients. The patient voice is crucial and I’m thrilled to help amplify it.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I’d tell my younger self to stay curious and open to learning in a wide range of fields, even the unconventional ones. Everything is interconnected, and developing an interdisciplinary mindset is invaluable. Build strong networks and seek out mentors. While it’s important to take advice on board, always trust your instincts and follow your own ideas.
If you were a drug, vaccine or diagnostic, what would you be and why?
I’d be a diagnostic tool for early detection, helping to identify illnesses as soon as possible for more effective treatment. Even without an available treatment, knowing you have a condition can be valuable, as we saw during COVID-19 when early detection helped control its spread.
If you had unlimited resources and could solve one research problem, what would it be?
I’d focus on tackling climate change. The sooner we address its impacts, the better – from health effects to changing ecosystems and food production. Not acting on climate change will be costlier in the long run, and its unpredictable effects on ecosystems and human health make it one of the most pressing challenges we face.
What would it surprise people to know about you?
I play the ukulele, and it’s one of the easiest instruments to learn! I also enjoy dancing while playing it. On top of that, I’ve run a marathon, which I’m quite proud of.
