Medical and scientific career

Licensed registration number (Spain): 283106687

In 2005, I was appointed as Consultant in Allergy at the teaching hospital Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (London, UK) associated at King’s College London University. Between 2005 and 2022, I have been combining NHS practice -working in both Adult and Pediatric Allergy Services- with research, teaching and supervising PhD and specialist training doctors. As part of my commitment in providing the highest standards of care for patients, I was appointed Clinical Governance Lead of the Allergy Service. The service was then recognised Center of Excellence by the World Allergy Organization (WAO) and Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA²LEN).

My research activity was funded by the Biomedical Research Centre associated at King´s College London and involved genetic studies in drug allergy (GWAS/MWAS), understanding inflammation and allergy mechanism and, induction of tolerance through early introduction of peanut high-risk children (Learning Early about Peanut Allergy- LEAP study).

In 2004, I obtained a Clinical and Research Fellowship in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Georgetown University Medical Immunology (Washington DC, USA). I worked in research studies led by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in relation with the safety and immunomodulation of influenza virus and anthrax vaccines.

I earned my PhD in Allergy at the University of Navarra (Pamplona) gaining “Cum Laude” distinction researching allergy in vitro diagnosis techniques. From 2000 to 2004 I completed higher specialist training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Clinica Universitaria de Navarra (Pamplona, Spain) after qualifying as a doctor from University of Zaragoza (Spain) in 1999.

Microbiota

The  gut microbiota—the collective name for the trillions of microorganisms that live in all our body but predominantly in our digestive tract and their genes—is an exciting concept which is currently changing the course in Medicine. The microbiome and the intestinal barrier with its different components (mucus, microbiota, epithelium, neurons) form its own enteric nervous and immune system, with a functional entity. 

I have seen in my patients about the importance of the gut health -including microbiota and gut permeability- in keeping the gut homeostasis (gut balance) and his role in the immune system and allergies. Therefore, I decided to learn further about the amazing world of the microbiota and gut health and completed a Master in Human Microbiota to help my patients to prevent and recover their health as much as possible.

This new concept is revealing therapeutic targets to prevent and treat several immune and chronic health conditions including allergies, intolerances, skin, endocrine, cardiovascular, neurological and digestive problems. 

Herbal Medicine

I have also a passion for outdoors and nature; combining these two passions – medicine and nature -, I completed a Diploma in Herbal Medicine at Oxford College (UK). 

Functional integrative approach

There can be different factors underlying the symptoms of allergy and immune-related conditions. With my patients, I focus not only in the medical condition itself, but also look for the potential causes or triggers which may be underlying the inmune & allergy symptoms. These include lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, etc) and genetic predisposition. In some occasions, by addressing the underlying causes we can prevent, treat and reverse the progression of these conditions.