Welcome to ARC Javier Leal Martin

Javier, can you tell us what you will be doing at ARC?

"My main role will be to contribute conceptually and methodologically to the research within a project funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR), under the supervision of Associate Professor Davide Liborio Vetrano and Professor Bengt Winblad."

"I will leverage the well-characterized, population-based Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) to examine the role of several biomarkers in the body-mind connection. Specifically, I aim to explore the bidirectional interplay between age-related somatic conditions (multimorbidity, frailty syndrome, disability, etc.) and cognitive aging, including cognitive decline and dementia. The ultimate goal is to deepen our understanding of the biological mechanisms triggering complex clinical profiles in older adults, with the potential to identify new intervention targets  that can help extend the health span of aging populations."

What have you been up to before joining ARC?

"Before moving to Sweden and joining ARC, I lived and worked in Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, where I was born and raised."

"I completed my education there, earning a Bachelor's degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences in 2017. Towards the end of this period, I discovered my passion for scientific research while working on my undergraduate thesis. Since then, I have dedicated most of my time to advancing my expertise in this field. I pursued a Master's Degree in Sports Sciences Research and developed several research lines within the GENUD Toledo research group."

"During this period, I delved into the multifaceted nature of studying physical activity and exercise, particularly concerning aging-related disorders such as frailty syndrome, physical function decline, and disability in older adults. This work  led to my doctoral thesis, titled "Use of the Metabolic Equivalents System in Older Adults: An Epidemiological Perspective," where I examined the validity of using metabolic equivalents units, that form the basis for most methods of quantifying physical activity in epidemiological studies, in older adults."

"My passion for advancing knowledge and pushing boundaries has brought me to this exciting new opportunity with Davide Liborio Vetrano’s research group."

And in your free time, what do you do?

"I consider myself an active person who enjoys all kinds of physical activities in my free time. I love running, hiking in nature, and mountain climbing. Wandering aimlessly through the streets or exploring interesting places in Stockholm are some of my favorite activities."

"I also love listening to music anytime and anywhere."

"During my short time in Stockholm so far, I've already been captivated by its historical charm, especially Stockholm City Hall, but what stands out most to me is how seamlessly the city blends with nature. So, if I’m not in the office, there's a good chance I'm lost in one of its forests!"