Juan
Garrido Maraver

My scientific career integrates mitochondrial biology, Drosophila genetics, stem cell biology and disease modelling to address fundamental questions in organelle quality control and human pathophysiology. During my PhD at CABD (CSIC/JA/UPO), funded by a competitive JAE-Predoc fellowship, I investigated the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial diseases and the regulation of mitophagy and biogenesis. I led pharmacological screenings in yeast, fibroblast and cybrid models, uncovering how AMPK balances mitochondrial turnover in MELAS and identifying compounds with therapeutic potential. An international stay at The Rockefeller University strengthened my skills in imaging and Drosophila genetics. My postdoctoral stages further consolidated internationally my profile. At the MRC Toxicology Unit (University of Cambridge), I investigated neurodegeneration in Drosophila. Subsequently, at the University of Algarve, I expanded my expertise to chromosome segregation, proliferation and germline development, contributing to an FCT-funded cancer biology project. In 2022, supported by a competitive Junta de Andalucía talent-attraction contract and M3 contracts at CSIC, I initiated my independent research on germline resilience, genome integrity and stem cell niche dynamics in Drosophila. I collaborate across Spanish and European institutions, present my work at international conferences, and contribute to scientific outreach, teaching and student supervision.