Jorge Rubio Gracia: “We face a high level of competition to obtain human and economic resources”

The IIS Aragón researcher talks in this interview about his work directing the 'Heart Failure Research Group' (GIIS043) and What is your most notable project?

Jorge Rubio Gracia, PhD in Medicine y present principal investigator from the group of Heart Failure Research (GIIS0043), has dedicated his career to research, being part of the Aragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón) since 10 years ago.

He completed his MIR training period at the Lozano Blesa Clinical Hospital and the group's IP at that time, Professor Juan Ignacio Pérez Calvo, encouraged to participate in research already be part of your research group.

"I felt that my work as a healthcare professional and as a teacher was not complete if I did not dedicate myself to research, since it helps to better understand diseases, to keep up to date and to meet people in your environment who always have something to contribute."

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

We work in the cardio-renal syndrome research in Internal Medicine patients, and in the Diagnosis and management of congestion using biomarkers, ultrasound and diuretics.

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

We are currently facing a High competitiveness to obtain human and economic resourcesOur group has been active for more than 15 years and we need generational change and hiring of new researcherss, which is difficult today.

Any ongoing projects that you would like to highlight?

We have currently been awarded an R&D&I research project from the Carlos III Health Institute (call 2023; PI23/00797). This is aNational multicenter clinical trial on the use and adjustment of diuretic therapy in patients admitted for acute heart failure.

What profiles make up your research team?

The research group is made up of doctors specializing in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, nursing staff specializing in heart failure, physiologists and basic researchers.

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

Companies should bet on our group because Heart failure is the most prevalent disease in Spanish hospitals in people over 65 years of age and, despite medical advances, life expectancy has not improved compared to other diseases such as certain cancers.

Advice for someone starting out in healthcare research?

Probably the most important advice is Find a good mentor with experience and be patientUnfortunately, research in the field of medicine is not a strong point during university training or MIR, and like everything, it requires time to learn how it works and a good tutor.