Problem. Coronary heart disease (CHD) patients have a 45% higher risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Currently, there is no effective therapy to prevent or cure those brain-related diseases. Recent studies showed that physical activity is associated with better cognitive functioning and a risk reduction of cognitive impairment and dementia in the general population. However, studies in CHD patients are largely absent. Evidence about the brain-related health benefits of physical activity are mostly based on aerobic exercise, but recent studies showed that resistance exercise also provides potent health benefits. ART4Brain. The overall aim of the ART4Brain project is to explore the effect of exercise and physical activity on cerebral blood flow, as a potential mechanism of cognitive decline, and executive functioning in CHD patients. Physical activity levels can be an important target in the CHD population, since the prevalence of physical inactivity is high. Accordingly, I will study the following scientifically and clinically relevant objectives: 1. Examine the effects of aerobic vs resistance exercise on global cerebral blood flow and other brain health outcomes such as cerebral vascularisation, brain structure and function using innovative MRI techniques; 2. Examine the association of objectively assessed combinations of behaviours across the full physical activity spectrum (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) on executive functioning (cognitive flexibility, working memory, inhibitor control/attention); 3. Translate scientific knowledge into a digital exercise training program by visiting the commercial partner EXi. Relevance for science and candidate. I will use innovative approaches to investigate the potential of exercise and physical activity to improve brain-related outcomes in CHD patients. The studies and training are performed in a world-renowned research group, which will greatly expand my expertise and boost my scientific career.

Many things that are now part of our daily lives were inconceivable just few years ago. This is mostly due to great and rapid developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) and in particular micro- and nanoelectronics. This has been possible thanks to the Silicon semiconductor technology that has done marvels for the advancement of our Society, who has benefited tremendously from its versatile use and amazing capabilities. However, the miniaturization of circuits seems to have reached a possible halt, since transistors can only be shrunk down to a certain size and not further beyond. To ensure the continued progress of electronic technology and fulfill the future demands of Society, a rapidly expanding research effort is focused on finding transformative technologies by employing alternative materials for the next-generation of nanoelectronic devices. Particularly, the fascinating two-dimensional materials have attracted a world-wide attention in the recent years due to its extraordinary properties that suit for future flexible and low-power consumption electronics devices. Although there are thousands of candidate materials in portfolio, their use in integrated 2D-Si CMOS applications and for future devices beyond CMOS technology require further research and engineering efforts to overcome notable challenges. Thus, GO2NANO is proposed to undertake ground-breaking research that will contribute to the advance in the maturation 2D nanodevices by targeting the following challenges: 2D materials growth, materials interface characterization and contact fabrication. This research will contribute to the understanding of the chemical and electronic nature and role of defects and impurities, facilitating a rational development and control of the operation mode of unprecedented 2D-based transistors suitable for their co-integration with CMOS technology.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancers with a 5-year survival rate under 10%. Current treatments for PDAC are based on ineffective and unspecific drugs that cause hard side effects. Besides, new T cell-based immunotherapies are toxic and unsuccessful in most solid tumors, including PDAC. Activating KRAS mutations occur in almost all patients, but unfortunately, KRAS is difficult to target. This discouraging situation highlights the need to design orthogonal and innovative strategies that target different pro-tumoral axes, in order to increase the antitumor effect minimizing side effects. In NIR-NanoCAR project, we will develop a new concept of therapy, Near-Infrared (NIR) Photothermal Nano-CAR Immunotherapy (NIR-PNCI). To test this concept, we will fuse i) thermosensitive liposomes capable to mediate photothermal therapy by NIR, with ii) exosomes derived from mesothelin-CAR T cells armored with IL-12 (which maintain effector molecules from their parental cells) and loaded with siRNA targeted to mutated KRAS. We will explore the antitumor capability and the tumor microenvironment-reprograming mediated by the hybrid nanotherapy in a relevant murine PDAC model. If successful, this nanosystem will be a breakthrough with a paradigm shift in the strategy to design the next generation of nanoimmunotherapies for solid tumors.

Approximately 40–60% of the European population is at risk of developing hearing loss due to exposure to unsafe noise levels. The EDHI fellowship will develop a novel toolkit sensitive to the first signs of hearing loss – appropriate for use as an early diagnostic. This objective will be achieved by (1) ideating innovative behavioural and neurophysiological tests that will provide novel biomarkers of hearing performance, and (2) developing an automatic classifier that estimates the degree of hearing damage based on these biomarkers. The encouraging pilot data obtained to date, along with the background experience of the applicant and supervisor in developing advanced signal-processing methods and conducting hearing research situate them in an optimal position to conduct the planned research. This fellowship has the potential to transform current clinical practice by providing clinicians with the necessary tools to diagnose hearing disorders that are currently undetected in approximately 1 out of 10 patients. The early diagnosis of hearing difficulties will enable the provision of individualised recommendations to ameliorate a person’s hearing difficulties and prevent any further deterioration, thus reducing the risk of social isolation, anxiety, depression and dementia. Further, a ‘hearing-pathology demonstrator’ will be developed for use in outreach activities to increase awareness amongst the general population of the adverse impacts of hearing loss, and to assist policy makers in the design of effective prevention strategies. In addition, this fellowship lays the groundwork for a substantial bidirectional transfer of knowledge with the host institution and provides the opportunity to engage with top hearing-related industry partners who have an interest in the commercial exploitation of this technology.