Prof Dr. Maria Asunción Aguilar | Health Sciences | Women Researcher Award

Catedrática de Universidad, Universitat de Valencia, Spain

👩‍🔬 Maria A. Aguilar (also known as Maria Asunción Aguilar) is a Full Professor at the University of Valencia in the Department of Psychobiology. With a research focus on psychopharmacology and physiological psychology, she has made significant contributions to understanding the brain mechanisms underlying addiction and stress resilience. Since November 2017, she has held the prestigious position of Catedrático at the University of Valencia.

Publication Profile

ORCID

Strengths for the Award:

1. Extensive Research in Psychobiology: María A. Aguilar is a full professor of Psychobiology at the University of Valencia, focusing on neuropsychopharmacology and physiological psychology. Her work on the interaction between social stress, drug addiction, and brain function, particularly in the context of cocaine and MDMA, contributes valuable insights to women’s health and psychology, making her a strong contender.
2. Prolific Publication Record: With 122 published works, Aguilar’s research covers cutting-edge topics such as the role of social stress in drug addiction and the therapeutic effects of substances like cannabidiol. These areas have significant implications for mental health treatments, relevant to women’s health challenges.
3. Leadership and Experience: She has held prominent academic roles, including being a full professor since 2017 and previously a tenured professor since 2002. Her leadership in academic settings and sustained research output strengthens her profile for the award.
4. Innovative Contributions to Neuroscience: Aguilar’s studies on glutamatergic receptors and their role in the brain’s response to social defeat and drug addiction present novel approaches to understanding mental health disorders, making her a thought leader in neuroscience.

Areas for Improvement:

1. Specific Focus on Women’s Health: Although her research addresses critical aspects of mental health, especially addiction and stress, a more direct focus on gender-specific issues in psychopharmacology, such as how these conditions uniquely impact women, could make her case stronger for an award dedicated to women’s research.
2. Outreach and Public Engagement: While her academic contributions are significant, further involvement in public health initiatives or policy impact related to women’s mental health might enhance her candidacy. Increasing visibility in terms of applying her research to real-world settings could further strengthen her application.

Education

🎓 Maria A. Aguilar completed her specialization in Psychopharmacology and Physiological Psychology, with a focus on understanding the neural circuits involved in addiction and behavior. Her doctoral thesis was supervised by renowned experts Jose Miñarro and Vicente Simón.

Experience

💼 Maria A. Aguilar has had a distinguished academic career, starting as a Professor Titular at the University of Valencia in 2002 and later being promoted to Full Professor in 2017. Her teaching and research primarily focus on psychobiology, particularly studying addiction, drug abuse, and neuroplasticity.

Research Focus

🔬 Her research explores the neurobiological mechanisms of addiction and stress, especially focusing on drug-seeking behavior, neuroplasticity, and the role of glutamatergic receptors. She has conducted extensive studies on the effects of cocaine, MDMA, and cannabidiol on the brain’s reward systems.

Awards and Honors

🏅 Professor Aguilar has received various accolades throughout her career, including recognition for her groundbreaking research in psychopharmacology and neurobiology. She is a member of several professional organizations and continues to contribute to advancing the understanding of brain mechanisms in behavior.

Publication Top Notes

📝 Top Publications:

Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthesis Prevents the Effects of Intermittent Social Defeat on Cocaine-Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Male Mice (2024). Published in Pharmaceuticals DOI: 10.3390/ph17091203. Cited by: 6 articles.

Intermittent voluntary wheel running promotes resilience to the negative consequences of repeated social defeat in mice (2022). Published in Physiology & Behavior DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113916. Cited by: 12 articles.

Cannabidiol prevents priming- and stress-induced reinstatement of the conditioned place preference induced by cocaine in mice (2021). Published in Journal of Psychopharmacology DOI: 10.1177/0269881120965952. Cited by: 20 articles.

Role of NMDA and AMPA glutamatergic receptors in the effects of social defeat on the rewarding properties of MDMA in mice (2019). Published in European Journal of Neuroscience DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14190. Cited by: 15 articles.

Conclusion:

María A. Aguilar is a highly suitable candidate for the Research for Women Award due to her extensive contributions to psychobiology, particularly in the study of drug addiction and stress-related behaviors. Her long academic career, leadership roles, and prolific publication record highlight her dedication to advancing research in neuroscience. To increase her chances of winning, focusing more on the gender-specific implications of her work and enhancing public outreach could further align her profile with the award’s goals.