EATRIS is an organisation that brings together over 150 translational medicine institutes. This means that many amazing treatments and innovations are being developed every day for the benefit of the patients. As a part of the Spanish Spotlight Programme, we are highlighting some of the promising research happening in EATRIS Spain.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Pablo Juan-Salvadores, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Cardiovascular Research Group of the IIS Galicia Sur and the Technical Coordinator at the Cardiovascular Research Unit in Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I have a degree in Pharmacy from the University of Santiago de Compostela and am currently a postdoctoral researcher in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Cardiovascular Research Group at the Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Galicia Sur (IISGS), led by Dr. Íñiguez. I serve as the technical coordinator at the Cardiovascular Research Unit (CRU) at Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital in Vigo, a charming city in the North-West of Spain. I hold a PhD in Epidemiology and have over 13 years of experience in clinical and academic research and my primary focus is on cardiovascular epidemiology and public health. Key career highlights include coordinating various clinical trials at the CRU, leading studies and publications on coronary artery disease (CAD) in young populations, publishing in high-impact journals, and teaching research methodology to nursing students at the University of Vigo.
How are you connected to EATRIS?
IISGS is a member of EATRIS Spain and the Biomarkers Platform. Dr. Eva Poveda (Scientific Director of IISGS) informed me about the ‘Spain in the Spotlight’ initiative and put me in contact with the coordinators of the programme. Invited by Dr. Laura Bermejo, National Director of EATRIS Spain, I co-lead the group on Chronic Disease Severity in Vulnerable Populations in the Spotlight initiative, which focuses on innovative strategies to address chronic disease progression. This collaboration allows me to work with experts from Spain and across Europe, fostering interdisciplinary research and advancing translational medicine. Through EATRIS, we aim to enhance the clinical impact of our research and improve outcomes for vulnerable patients.
What is your current research focusing on and what’s the potential impact on human health?
My current research focuses on coronary artery disease (CAD) in very young populations, with a special emphasis on women under 40, who are significantly underrepresented in clinical studies. We recently completed a soon-to-be-published study on this demographic. Additionally, we are leading the multicenter AirHeart Study, integrating clinical and environmental data to identify risk factors, treatment delays, and long-term outcomes, supported by regional Public Health and Environmental Departments.
Using advanced artificial intelligence tools to analyse electronic health records, we aim to uncover patterns that traditional methods might overlook. Our ultimate goal is to develop targeted primary and secondary prevention strategies to reduce health disparities and improve the quality of life for these young patients, many of whom face chronic illness early in life. This work has the potential to transform clinical guidelines and environmental policies, promoting equitable and effective care.
What challenges do you face in this field or your research, and how do you approach overcoming them?
One of the main challenges is the lack of comprehensive data combining long-term clinical and environmental factors, especially in young people. Additionally, the underrepresentation of young women in cardiovascular research limits our understanding of gender-specific risks. To tackle these challenges, I have collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of data scientists, clinicians, and epidemiologists, to apply advanced data integration techniques. We also work closely with patient associations to ensure that our research remains relevant and inclusive. This collaborative approach is essential for bridging current knowledge gaps and translating findings into improved clinical practice.
How do you incorporate patient engagement or collaboration into your research process, and why do you think it’s important?
We actively involve patient associations in our study designs, ensuring that their needs and perspectives guide our research priorities. We collaborate with Sur Sum Cor, a Galician association, and the Spanish Heart Foundation, which connects various patient organisations across Spain. Patients also play a key role in disseminating our findings, fostering trust and improving communication between researchers and the broader community. This bi-directional collaboration is essential for translating research outcomes into effective, patient-centered interventions.
What future trends or technologies in translational medicine excite you the most, and how might they influence your work?
Artificial intelligence and precision medicine are transformative trends that excite me most. These technologies enable us to analyse large, complex datasets to uncover novel risk factors, disease mechanisms, and therapeutic opportunities. In my work, AI is enhancing early detection, personalised treatments, and resource allocation in public health systems, leading to improved clinical outcomes and more sustainable healthcare services. I am particularly inspired by the potential of these tools to bridge gaps in care and revolutionise health equity.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career as a research scientist so far?
While publishing my first scientific paper was a memorable milestone, the most rewarding moment was leading a study on treatment delays for women with acute myocardial infarction. The findings sparked widespread discussions about gender disparities in healthcare, gaining attention from both the medical community and media. Seeing these insights drive conversations about implementing changes in clinical policies has been incredibly gratifying. Yet, I firmly believe that the best is yet to come, as research continues to open new opportunities for impactful contributions to healthcare.
