Numerary Member
Experimental Sciences: PhD in Biological Sciences (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
Date of admission: October 2, 2025
Admission speech: “Viruses as Engines of Life and Evolution”
Reply speech by: H.E. Dr. M. Àngels Calvo Torras, PhD in Veterinary Medicine and in Pharmacy
Outstanding career: He has focused his work on the study of neurotropic viruses and the nervous system, as well as on science communication and biomedical education. He is one of the most influential voices in Spain in the fields of biology and public health.
Dr. JOSÉ ANTONIO LÓPEZ GUERRERO
- Born in Madrid in 1962.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM).
- PhD in Biology with Extraordinary Award (1989) from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UAM.
RESEARCH AND TEACHING ACTIVITY
- Postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Biological Research (CSIC) (1990–1993), focused on rat models of rheumatoid arthritis.
- Researcher at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg (1993–1996), studying molecular aspects of parvovirus infection.
- Professor and researcher at the Autonomous University of Madrid, where he continues his teaching and research in virology.
- Director of the NeuroVirology Group at UAM and the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO).
- His research focuses on the neuropathology associated with herpes simplex virus type 1 and on the antiviral potential of natural and newly synthesized compounds against various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2.
PUBLICATIONS
- Regular contributor to Radio Nacional de España (Radio 1, Radio 5, Radio Exterior), as well as to TV (TVE, La Sexta, Cuatro) and print media such as El Cultural.
- Author and/or editor of 15 books and over 300 scientific and popular science articles.
- Has organized and participated in science outreach programs in Germany, Sweden, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Morocco.
- Invited in 2021 as the European representative of virology at the Global FunGlode Forum (Dominican Republic).
Photographs courtesy of José Fuentes Molinero
