Actually, CISeAL has 4 associated researchers.
Learn more about each of our researchers, their research groups and their lines of research below:
Research group
Global Surgery
Research areas
Current research
He currently conducts research focused on global surgery and equitable access to surgical care.
His main research project focuses on out-of-pocket expenditure and catastrophic expenditure associated with surgical care in facilities belonging to Ecuador's public health system.
This work seeks to assess the economic impact faced by patients and their families when accessing surgical procedures, with the aim of generating evidence that contributes to strengthening health systems and ensuring timely and safe access to surgical care.
Current academic position
Professor and researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE).
Attending physician in the Surgical Oncology Service at Carlos Andrade Marín Hospital.
Recent publications
- Survival Analysis of Patients with Primary Retroperitoneal Tumors in a Specialty Hospital in Quito-Ecuador in the Period 2009-2019
Surgery, Gastroenterology and Oncology, 2024. - Soft-Tissue Sarcomas in Adults in Ecuador in the Period 2010-2020
Sarcoma, 2022. - Cohort Study of the Overall Survival of Patients with Pancreatic Cancer in a Hospital of Specialties of Quito-Ecuador in the Period 2007-2017
Innovative Surgical Sciences, 2021. - Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices in Antibiotic Use in Family Medicine Students
Journal of Primary Care and Community Health, 2020. - CHOLELITHIASIS/CHOLECYSTITIS
Book, 2020. - DUODENAL LIPOMA
Journal article, 2017. - ABERRANT BILE DUCT OF SEGMENT VI DRAINING INTO THE CYSTIC DUCT: CASE REPORT
Journal article, 2015.
Research Areas
Research Lines
- Molecular biomarkers.
- Molecular pathophysiological mechanisms in chronic non-communicable diseases (cancer and cardiovascular disease).
Current Research Projects
Identification of NTRK gene rearrangements in patients with cancer.
Pioneering implementation of precision oncology in Ecuador: technology transfer in patients with gastric cancer treated at SOLCA-Tungurahua.
International theoretical and hands-on workshop on transcriptomics for biomedical research.
Transcriptomic profiling of pediatric gliomas in Ecuador as a foundation for precision molecular oncology.
Current Position and Affiliated Institution
Professor and Researcher, Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE).
Recent Publications
- Linking cardiovascular disease to cancer progression
Nature Reviews Cardiology, 2025. - Retrospective analysis of biomarkers associated with mortality in patients with COVID-19
Revista Ecuatoriana de Medicina y Ciencias Biológicas (REMCB).
Research Areas
Research Lines
- Impact of volcanic activity and environmental emissions on human health.
- Environmental epidemiology and exposure to inorganic pollutants.
- Human biomonitoring in populations exposed to environmental hazards.
- Health system preparedness and response.
- Governance, bioethics, and health research in Ecuador and Latin America.
Current Research Projects
ISVOLCAN: assessment of the physical, mental, and environmental impact of the Tajogaite volcano eruption on the population of La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain.
ECUAVOLCÁN: assessment of the impact of volcanic activity on the health of Ecuadorian populations, with a One Health, environmental epidemiology, and public health approach.
Human biomonitoring in populations exposed to volcanic emissions: analysis of inorganic and organic pollutants in biological samples and associated exposure factors.
Current Position and Affiliated Institution
Teaching and Research Staff / Predoctoral Researcher, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University Institute for Biomedical and Health Research, Environment and Health Research Group, Spain.
Associate Researcher, Center for Research on Health in Latin America (CISeAL), Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador.
Recent Publications
- Evaluation of the First Standardized Registry of Approved Research Studies by the Research Ethics Committees in Ecuador
BMC Medical Ethics, 2025. - Defining the External Exposome of Newborns from La Palma Island, Spain: Characteristics of Realistic Mixtures and Its Role on Precision Public Health
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 2026. - Mapping the Global Health Burden of Volcanic Exposure: A Scoping Review Approach
Frontiers in Public Health, 2025. - Climate Change in Ecuadorian Undergraduate Medical Education Programs: Curricular Assessment and the Role of Medical Students’ Associations, 2019–2024
BMC Medical Education, 2026. - Volcanic Eruptions and Public Health in Ecuador: An Analysis of Institutional Gaps and Integrated Strategies
Frontiers in Public Health, 2025. - Biomonitoring of Inorganic Pollutants in Blood Samples from a Population Exposed to the Tajogaite Eruption
Toxics, 2025. - Health Impact of the Tajogaite Volcano Eruption in La Palma Population (ISVOLCAN Study): Rationale, Design, and Preliminary Results from the First 1002 Participants
Environmental Health, 2024. - Assessing the Hidden Dangers of Volcanic CO₂ Exposure
Frontiers in Public Health, 2024.
Research Areas
Research Lines
- Medical entomology.
- Sustainable management and utilization of natural resources.
- Synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials.
- Nanotechnology applied to health and biomedicine.
Current Research Projects
Nanomaterials with biomedical applications.
Current Position and Affiliated Institution
Full Professor I, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCENA), Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE).
Academic Background
- Ph.D. in Chemical Science and Technology, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Spain (2022).
- M.Sc. in Chemical Science and Technology, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Spain (2011).
- B.Sc. in Chemical Sciences, specialization in Analytical Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (2009).
Recent Publications
- Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles functionalized with fluoresceinamine
Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2026. - Silver nanoparticles: green vs conventional synthesis
PLoS ONE, 2026. - Metallic nanoparticles for COVID-19 management
Elsevier Book Chapter, 2025. - Mn-Zn ferrites for water remediation
South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2025. - DNA-magnetite nanoparticles in banana fruit
PLoS ONE, 2024. - Fluorescent silver nanoparticle sensor
Journal of Molecular Structure, 2024. - Paper-based sensor for heavy metals
Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research, 2024. - Gold nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2
Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, 2023. - Ag and Au nanoparticles against SARS-CoV-2 surrogate Phi6
Nanotechnology, 2023. - Green synthesis of AgNPs
Electrochimica Acta, 2023.
