Tarazona turns pink at the 'Centinela Running' to raise funds for a project of the IIS Aragón
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Being a researcher at the IIS Aragón from a town with less than 500 inhabitants
October 17, 2024
The IIS Aragón researcher talks in this interview about his work leading the 'Liaison Psychiatry' Group (GIIS030) and what his branch of study is like
Antonio Lobo Satué, emeritus professor of Psychiatry and current Principal investigator of the group Liaison Psychiatry (GIIS030), has dedicated his career to research since 1972, being part of the Aragon Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) since its inception. His contribution has been significant, combining his extensive experience with the development of projects that directly impact the mental health and well-being. Antonio Lobo explains his path to research:
«I decided to focus on research because it was consistent with my career in academic and university medicine»
What lines of research are being worked on in your group?
We are currently working on three main lines of research. The line of Aging and diseases of aging The work with the cohort has been ongoing for some time, systematically funded by the FIS (ZARADEMP Project) with a follow-up of almost 5.000 individuals for more than 20 years in 5 different waves. Now, the contribution to the European EURODEM projects and the transcontinental COSMIC project continues. These studies have been an international reference for decades.
Another of the activities of the research group is the line of psychosomatic psychiatry, somatopsychic comorbidity and multimorbidity. This line has been systematically funded by the FIS, with participation in European projects, BIOMED Programs, EU; in the CIBERSAM consortium; and, in recent years, has incorporated collaborative studies with engineering teams (CIBER-BBN).
Finally, the group also focuses on the line of studies in Psychosis and “First Psychotic Episodes”. With the CIBERSAM consortium and FIS funding, it continues to participate in multicenter studies with very high international productivity.
What is the main challenge your research group is currently facing?
The biggest challenge in research is availability of time in clinical researchers.
Any ongoing projects that you would like to highlight?
I would like to highlight, in the line of Aging and diseases of aging, the FIS Project: “Study of healthy cognitive aging in a cohort of workers: Influence of lifestyles, vascular factors and mental health.” And the Study to validate the effectiveness and usability of a neurofeedback treatment to improve memory-related cognitive abilities in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. In collaboration with the company Bit&Brain Technologies SL.
In addition, we also work on the “Cape-Corona Study. European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM)”, which studies stress in professionals as a consequence of the Covid epidemic.
What profiles make up your research team?
Our team is multidisciplinaryIt is made up of professionals from Psychiatry, Public Health, Neurology, Psychology, Statistics and Primary Care.
Why should companies bet on research, and specifically, on your group?
For the documented ability to contribute to industrial application projects, for diagnosis and treatment of mental health problems; clinical trials of new drugs; design and validation of diagnostic instruments.
Advice for someone starting out in healthcare research?
Rely on solvent research groups, such as those of the IIS Aragón in its different disciplines and programs.
