Meet our new Young Investigators Task Force Members
Click to access their responses
Marta Alonso
Why did you apply for the EASL YIs Task Force?
As a passionate young researcher in the field of hepatology, I believe that the EASL is the perfect platform to further my professional development and contribute to the advancement of our field. I strongly believe that the EASL’s Young Investigators Task Force provides a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and collaborate on cutting-edge research in hepatology.
What do you like about EASL?
It gives lots of opportunities for liver researchers to share, collaborate, exchange and learn one from another, but it is also an organization taking care for people, both professionals (i.e, to enhance their career, to promote inclusion and diversity, to help in overcoming the difficulties) and patients (i.e, to stimulate research to advance in treatments and management, to include patient’s perspective in research, to educate the community).
What do you expect from your experience in the YIs Task Force?
As a member of the Young Investigators Task Force, I would love to learn from current members and bring innovative ideas to the table. I am committed to contributing my time, skills, and knowledge towards advancing the field of hepatology and creating a positive impact on our community.
One fun fact about you.
I am really bad at singing, but I love to do it, so it is very common to hear me singing any time I think I am alone. I apologize for that.
Your current research in one paragraph.
My research has been focused on a newly described condition, ACOX2 deficiency, which is an inherited recessive alteration in bile acid synthesis. Affected patients present recurrent and asymptomatic hypertransaminasemia. Currently, five affected families have been identified in Spain, whereas other two cases with more severe phenotypes have been described by other authors. Moreover, my current position allows me to work closely together with clinicians. Thus, identification of new cases of ACOX2 deficiency within Spain is growing so do our knowledge. Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to initiate new and exciting projects on other immune mediated and cholestatic diseases but also to collaborate in translational projects regarding non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis C and porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder.
Thomas Marjot
Why did you apply for the EASL YIs Task Force?
It has been fantastic to watch the visibility and influence of the YI Task Force continue to grow over the last few years. This is exemplified by the introduction of a range of new resources and opportunities including dedicated YI sessions at EASL Congress, the ‘Afterwork’ webinar series, the YI newsletter, and reduced EASL membership fees for Trainees. Having benefitted from EASL over the last 10 years, I now wanted to play a more active role within the society and to help maintain the high standard of content available for all YI members.
What do you like about EASL?
EASL is the home of hepatology! It is a vibrant, organized, and inclusive society which helps connect individuals across specialties, institutions, and countries. EASL has already had a major positive impact on my learning and professional development by attending the EASL Congress, EASL Summits, the Masterclass, and through having access to EASL registry grants. EASL is also incredibly welcoming of Young Investigators and provides multiple avenues to network and interact with both peers and senior clinicians and researchers.
What do you expect from your experience in the YIs Task Force?
I expect the Taskforce to require hard work, ambition, and creativity in order to maintain the high standard of content available for YIs. I am really excited to get started – It will be a fantastic opportunity to work with enthusiastic colleagues across Europe, to learn about the workings and governance of EASL, and to engage with as many new YI members as possible.
One fun fact about you.
I am very superstitious and always have to wear the same ‘lucky’ pair of underwear for any major oral presentation!
Your current research in one paragraph.
My primary research focus is in MASLD/MASH and have been working at the University of Oxford performing experimental medicine studies characterising metabolic pathways leading to hepatic steatosis and inflammation. I have a particular interest in the role of circadian rhythm on liver metabolism and as part of my PhD have been conducting diurnal studies in MASLD patients as well as exploring the liver and metabolic impact of night-shift working. I have also been heavily involved in research into the hepatological aspects of COVID-19. I led the EASL supported COVID-Hep registry reporting the clinical course of COVID-19 in liver patients and I am currently co-ordinating a multicentre cohort study exploring COVID-19 vaccine responses.
Pedro Rodrigues
Why did you apply for the EASL YIs Task Force?
EASL YI Task force mainly aims to support and boost the growth of YIs by promoting educational activities in the wider liver community in order to engage the next-generation leaders in the field of Hepatology. As a motivated YI, I always wanted to be part of this process, either to help and support other YIs and also to grow scientifically and personally.
What do you like about EASL?
As one of the most important worldwide associations in the field of Hepatology, EASL harbors an outstanding network that supports both clinicians and basic scientists. Through all the conferences, events, training schools and masterclasses, EASL is the perfect platform to interact with other researchers in the field, allowing to learn and to establish/strength collaborative networks.
What do you expect from your experience in the YIs Task Force?
During my years in the YI Task Force, I expect not only to interact with other YIs in the field of Hepatology, but also to learn from current and past members. I envision that altogether, we will be able to support YIs and grow together.
One fun fact about you.
I struggle a lot to distinguish between left and right. Most of the times, I have to first think about the hand I use to write with in order to discriminate both sides.
Your current research in one paragraph.
I have been driving my research on the study of pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver cancer. During my Ph.D, I studied the role of miRNAs in the development and progression of NAFLD and afterwards, during my post-doctoral studies in Spain, I have been driving my research on hepatobiliary pathophysiology, focusing in the study of the molecular mechanisms governing biliary carcinogenesis, in the quest for new non-invasive biomarkers for liver diseases and also in the progression from metabolic diseases (mainly NAFLD) towards liver cancer.