My name is Pablo Jiménez López, and I am a PhD Candidate at the University of Almería. My background is Biochemistry and I am specialized in immunometabolism and its role in the development of cardiometabolic disorders.
À quoi ressemble une journée de travail type pour vous ?
No two days are exactly the same in research, which is precisely what keeps the role so engaging. I consider myself an early bird, so I typically arrive early at the laboratory to set up the cell culture hood. While it primes, I dedicate time to managing urgent emails and planning the day’s experimental workflow. The rest of my hours are dynamically split between preparing cell assays, executing molecular biology experiments and analysing data.
Qu'est-ce qui a suscité votre intérêt pour le domaine de l'obésité ?
I became fascinated by the fact that obesity is far more than an excess of fat. It is a complex, chronic low-grade inflammatory state that completely rewires the host immune system. Understanding this intricate intersection between immunology and metabolism and its direct causal links to cardiometabolic disorders motivated me to look deeper into the exact cellular mechanisms that could serve as novel therapeutic targets in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Quel outil, méthode ou astuce facilite votre vie professionnelle et que vous aimeriez que tout le monde connaisse ?
Reference managers such as Zotero are incredibly useful. They help organize literature, manage PDFs, and generate citations and bibliographies automatically, saving time and reducing errors when writing scientific papers. It’s one of those tools I wish I had discovered much earlier.
En quoi le fait de faire partie de l'ECN a-t-il changé votre parcours jusqu'à présent ?
Although I am a recent addition to the network, the time I spent collaborating with members at the ECO 2026 congress in Istanbul was a true milestone. The incredible warmth, openness and inclusivity shown by the ECN Board members and fellow peers made a profound impression on me. It has immediately made me feel part of a broader European scientific community and has shown me that this network will be an invaluable catalyst for my future career development.
Quel a été le projet le plus gratifiant ou le plus passionnant sur lequel vous ayez travaillé ?
Without a doubt, it is my current PhD thesis project. I am investigating the impacts of emerging environmental pollutants, specifically microplastics and nanoplastics on the development and progression of cardiometabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Exploring how these ubiquitous particles interact with our biological systems at a molecular level is incredibly exciting and fulfilling, given its critical relevance to modern public health.
Quel conseil donneriez-vous à celui ou celle qui débute aujourd'hui ?
Be patient and trust the process. In research, things rarely work on the first try, but unexpected experimental results or ‘failures’ often teach you more than immediate success. Also, start networking and sharing your ideas from day one!
Qu'est-ce qui vous enthousiasme le plus dans l'avenir de la recherche sur l'obésité ?
What excites me most is the paradigm shift toward acknowledging obesity as a heterogeneous condition driven not just by genetics or behavior, but also by environmental determinants. Uncovering how modern-world exposures, like microplastics, disrupt immunometabolic homeostasis opens up a completely new frontier for precision prevention and multi-disciplinary science.
Où vous voyez-vous dans cinq ans ? Quel est votre projet ou poste de rêve ?
In five years, my goal is to secure a position that seamlessly combines university-level teaching with high-impact research. I am deeply passionate about education and I see it as a great opportunity to inspire and mentor the next generation of scientists. On the scientific side, I aim to lead projects exploring the precise molecular pathways through which micro- and nanoplastics alter the human immune system and trigger cardiometabolic complications, leveraging international networks to achieve global collaboration.
Quels types de projets ou d'initiatives vous intéresseraient le plus dans le cadre d'une collaboration avec d'autres membres du RCE ?
Since my background is rooted in basic science, I am highly interested in establishing collaborative, translational bridges with clinical researchers. Specifically, I would love to connect with colleagues to investigate correlations between microplastic accumulation in patients and clinical metabolic biomarkers. Clinical data on plastic pollution is still very scarce, yet it represents an environmental reality we all face. Blending basic molecular insights with clinical reality is essential to understanding the full scope of its impact on human health.
Y a-t-il autre chose que vous aimeriez que l'ECN sache à votre sujet ?
As an early-career researcher from Spain, I am deeply grateful for the immediate warmth and inclusivity the ECN has shown me, which was particularly evident during my time at the ECO 2026 congress. While basic research in the lab can sometimes feel like an isolated journey, being part of this network reminds us that we are part of a vibrant, interconnected European community. Beyond the laboratory, I am fortunate to live and work on the beautiful coast of Almería. I would love to welcome fellow ECN members to the South of Spain and my inbox is always open on LinkedIn for anyone wishing to chat about immunometabolism, environmental pollutants, or potential translational collaborations. I truly look forward to contributing to and growing alongside this inspiring community.
Connect with Pablo!
Courriel : pjl955@ual.es
LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-jim%C3%A9nez-l%C3%B3pez-aba09b112/
English 
French