Jorge Osma López: “In research, two of the most important skills are time management and emotional regulation”

The IIS Aragón researcher talks in this interview about his work leading the 'IPES: Research in Personality, Emotion and Health' Group (GIIS082) and what projects they are carrying out

Jorge Javier Osma López, PhD in Psychology, Professor at the University of Zaragoza y present principal investigator from the group of Research in Personality, Emotion and Health (IPES), has dedicated his career to research since 1999, being part of the Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) since 2017.

At the beginning, he decided to dedicate himself to research since it presented itself as an opportunity to learn in aspects other than those he had studied in his career, allowing him learn how to assess, diagnose and treat people with mental disorders, in addition to his own research tasks. He later realized that:

"I wanted to contribute to improving access to evidence-based psychological treatments in our public health system, as well as studying their cost-effectiveness using different formats, mainly group and with technology."

What lines of research are being worked on in your group?

The lines of research that we work on in my group are: Clinical psychology and health: perinatal mental health, the pTransdiagnostic prevention and treatment of emotional and personality disorders. And another of the lines are the Studies on memory processes, spatial orientation, affectivity and personality.

What is the main challenge your research group is currently facing?

I would highlight the obtaining financing at the national level and the challenge of participating in European calls.

Any ongoing projects that you would like to highlight?

I would like to highlight that we are currently carrying out two projects at a national level, one focused on the use of technology to implement and advance more quickly in the treatment of emotional disorders in public mental health (FIS project) and another on the implementation of two transdiagnostic psychological interventions in specialized services for addressing alcohol addiction. (National Plan on Drugs project).

What profiles make up your research team?

Most of the members are psychologists, except for one biologist. The areas of specialization are Psychobiology and Clinical and Health Psychology.

Why should companies bet on research, and specifically, on your group?

Companies that offer services for the prevention and/or treatment of mental disorders should choose our group because of the contributions we are making to the advancement of transdiagnostic, brief and intensive psychological treatmentsIn addition, we use adaptations of treatments to different mental pathologies in our studies. We also use technology as a cost-effective format for psychological intervention (for example: online therapy, mobile phone apps or websites for self-administered programs).

Advice for someone starting out in healthcare research?

Observe, learn and collaborate. Two of the most important skills you'll need are time management and emotional regulation.

Main Image: Jorge Osma López, Official College of Psychology of Navarra.