The lab: Guasch group
Lab's research themes:
Our group is focused on identifying the mechanisms of the deleterious effects of physical activity and, particularly, cardiac arrhythmias through a Translational approach.
The main research lines of our group may be summarized in two different topics:
- Study of the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias in high-level athletes: Heavily trained athletes have been found to be at a higher risk of atrial fibrillation and right ventricular arrhythmias than their sedentary counterparts. We focus our research in the identification of the exercise characteristics and mechanisms that promote a pro-arrhythmogenic remodelling, aiming at eventually identifying clinically usable markers. We have also assessed the extra-cardiac consequences of very high-intensity physical activity.
- Characterization of the pathophysiology of cardiac arrhythmias. We are also interested in uncovering the mechanisms of the deleterious atrial arrhythmogenic cardiac remodelling occurring in the absence of overt cardiac conditions (lone atrial fibrillation), but also in other settings such as heart failure. These may serve to improve our diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Merits of the lab:
Our group has pioneered the description and study of the deleterious cardiovascular consequences of physical activity, publishing papers that had a great scientific and social impact.
Why do we train medical doctors in our team?
Our group has a strong translational research focus. Indeed, the group leader is a Cardiologist specialized in electrophysiology who holds a part-time research contract. Moreover, our group is currently hosting a physician who is pursuing a PhD in experimental research.
The position
Meet Drilon!
Biosketch
Drilon is a passionate medical doctor from North Macedonia. Awarded as the best medical student of his class at the national level, he pursues his happiness in knowledge and is eager to challenge himself within the research world and give his contribution there as he did within medicine.
University awarding the PhD
Drilon is currently enrolled at the University of Barcelona in the PhD Programme Translational Research and Medicine.
I decided to become a physician because…
I wanted to connect deeply with my community and not only help the ones in need but rather increase awareness of my community for health issues and prevent them.
But also, I wanted to become a scientist because…
There’s a strong disconnection between research and clinical practice. I would like to contribute and learn more about this “new world” for me, so future generations from my country (but not only) can have a reference and be motivated. Physicians should be more into research!
What I am working on?
We are working on using Living myocardial Slices as a platform for different testing purposes, but especially physical activity related effects within cardiovascular system.
Why is this important to me as a medical doctor?
I always wanted to be a cardiologist, and now with the experience in the clinics and the insights on the molecular basis of diseases, my mission is to build a bridge of understanding diseases even better. But besides that, I truly believe that research labs should have medical doctors on their teams and combine different perspectives on their research lines.
Who am I besides a future physician-scientist?
When you ask me; how is your day? I reply ” never been better”, every day. I like to keep myself quite busy outside my professional life, with sports and video games but always with a competitive and fun spirit accompanied with positive vibes. Dancing on the weekends (or not only?) has become quite a hobby of mine! For more insights, get to know me!
