Laura
Esquius de la Zarza

I am an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and Director of the University Master's Degree in Nutrition in Physical Activity and Sport. With a PhD in Physiology (UB), a Bachelor’s degree in Biology (UAB), and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (UVic), my scientific and academic career has specialized in the intersection of nutrition, health, and sport. This work is reflected in the publication of more than 20 scientific articles and 3 books, as well as the recognition of a research merit award (ANECA-AQU six-year research period, 2016-2021). In the field of training and mentorship, I have supervised four doctoral theses (two of which are ongoing) and more than 30 Master's theses. Currently, I am the Principal Investigator of the FoodLab research group (Interdisciplinary Group on Food, Nutrition, Society, and Health). The group carries out multidisciplinary scientific activity focused on the comprehensive study of food, health, and aging from three converging perspectives: social sciences, health sciences, and biomedicine. Our primary objective is to generate knowledge to address current social and health challenges, ranging from the transformation of food systems towards sustainability to understanding the molecular mechanisms of aging and disease.