International Chair for Advanced Studies on Hydration (CIEAH)

Dr. Ángel Gil Hernández

Prof. Angel Gil Hernández holds a degree (1973) and a PhD in Biological Sciences (1978) from the University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Professor of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the University of Granada, Granada, Spain, since 1996. Director of Excellence Research Group of the Andalusian Regional Government BioNit CTS-461 Nutritional Biochemistry: Therapeutic implications, since 1996. Visiting Professor of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA) of the University of Chile, Santiago de Chile, since 1989. President of the Ibero-American Nutrition Foundation (FINUT) since 2011.

Researcher: Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Biomedical Research Center of the University of Granada. Biosanitary Institute of Granada (ibs GRANADA). Center for Biomedical Research in the Network of the Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid. Scientific Publications: 572 publications of which 22 books, 132 Book chapters and 418 scientific articles indexed from 1981 to 2016. He has published 18 patents all of them exploited or in exploitation by companies of alimentation or nutrition.

Dr. Gregorio Varela Moreira

Professor of Nutrition and Bromatology of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University San Pablo-CEU in Madrid, and Director of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Health of the same University. President of the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN), President of the Spanish Society of Nutrition (SEN), Academic of the Royal Academy of Gastronomy, and founding member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Previously, he has done, among others, the following activities: Professor of the University (Area of Nutrition and Bromatology). Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Burgos. Research Associate at the Bioavailability Laboratory USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston (USA). August 1, 1991-31 October 1991.

He has published more than 160 articles in international and national journals, as well as more than 40 book chapters related to Food and Nutrition, and is editor of 15 books. He has participated in or participates in more than 27 research projects financed by international or national entities (European Union, Ministry of Science and Technology, Community of Madrid, Health Research Fund, Castilla y Leon Regional Government, various private entities, etc. International Hypothesis Prize 2005 of Medical Research on Human Nutrition. Dr. Marañón Award for the Best Scientific Work in the Food Field 2006. Spanish Academy of Gastronomy. Ángel Herrera Award 2008 for the best research work, Fundación Universidad San Pablo CEU. Member of the Council of the European Academy of Nutritional Sciences (EANS). Vice President of the Spanish Society of Nutrition (SEN). He has been Member of the Scientific Committee of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESA). President of the Scientific Committee of the Mediterranean Health and Diet Agency, promoted by the Alicante Chamber of Commerce. Member of the Board of Directors of ILSI Europe. Member of the EPODE International Network Expert Committee. Member of the Expert Committee of the PERSEO Program (Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs). Member of the Healthy Galicia Program Committee, Xunta de Galicia. Founder of the Board of Trustees of the Center for the Study of the Atlantic Diet (CEDA). Member of the European Ideas Network (EIN), promoted by the European Parliament. Member of the Institute “Age and Life”. Fellow of the Nutrition Society. Fellow of the American College of Nutrition. Spanish Society of Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Pathology (SEQC): President of the Vitamins Commission and the Nutrition Commission. Member of the Spanish Society of Arteriosclerosis (SEA).

Dr. José López Calbet

José Antonio López Calbet is professor of Exercise Physiology, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Canary Islands, Spain. Master in Sports Sciences at the University of Barcelona Medical doctor (Hospital Clinic Barcelona) University of Barcelona. Specialty in Sports Medicine at the University of Montpellier (France) and University of Barcelona Specialty in Rheumatology PhD at the University of Barcelona.

Postdoctoral appointments: The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Main topics of research: cardiovascular response to exercise; obesity and exercise, with emphasis on the molecular mechanism by which leptin and insulin act on human skeletal muscle. More than 120 papers in peer reviewed journals. Thirty six book chapters. About 120 invited lectures in Spain and other countries. More than 25 research grants at national and international level.

Member of the editorial board of: Journal of Applied Physiology; Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, European Journal of Applied Physiology, PLoS One and The Journal of Physical Activity and Health. Member of the Scientific Board of the European College.

Dr. Luis Peña Quintana

Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain). Section Chief Unit of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition of the Maternal-Infant University Hospital of the Canary Islands (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain). Degree in Medicine and Surgery. Doctor in Medicine. Specialist  in Pediatrics. Certified in Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition.

President of the Spanish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition (2008-2012). Academic Founder and Secretary of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Food Sciences (2009-). Researcher of the Network Biomedical Research Center (CIBER) in Pathophysiology, Obesity and Nutrition of the Carlos III Health Institute (Spain).

Scientific publications: 195, 7 books and monographs, 71 book chapters and 117 scientific articles indexed. Director of 12 doctoral theses. He has participated in 44 research projects, grants, contract research and clinical trials (16 as main research), funded by public and private organizations. 49 research awards at conferences, scientific societies, state projects, articles and personal career.

Dra. Maria Kapsokefalou

Maria Kapsokefalou is an Associate Professor in Human Nutrition at the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece.  She is also the Deputy Rector on Student Affairs, Academic Collaborations and Outreach at the Agricultural University of Athens, Greece. Maria Kapsokefalou is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Hellenic Food Safety Authority of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the Hellenic Pasteur Institute and the National Committee on Nutrition Policy of the Ministry of Health. Her research activities aim to the promotion of Public Health though better nutrition.

She investigates health benefits of bioactive compounds and novel and functional foods, linking Nutritional Sciences and Food Science.  She evaluates dietary intake in the general adult population and in children, pregnant women and older adults.  In particular, she has conducted studies on food, beverage and water intake in various population groups and on the socioeconomic factors that may affect food intake. She also studies food aid models and food policy measures that aim to alleviate food insecurity in vulnerable populations, such as school lunches, food packages, food banks etc. Her scientific interests include outreach programs on the sustainable development of the agrofood sector in Greece. Maria Kapsokefalou is the mother of three daughters.

Dr. Sergio Ruiz Santana

Prof. Sergio Ruiz Santana holds a PhD Medical Degree (1991) from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. Department Director at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (1998-2004). Member Government Board (2004-2007). Co-chairman Working Group Nutrition Metabolism” ESICM (2004-2010). Member National Committee “Intensive Care speciality training” (2005-2015). Medical Subdirector “Research / Teaching”, Hospital Dr. Negrín (2008-Oct.2009). ICU Chairman Hospital Universitario Dr. Negrín (2008). Full-professor Medicine ULPGC (2012). Spanish Representative ESICM Council (2012-2016)

Research relevant experience:

• President Organizing Committee: SENPE 1999 (Spanish Society Parenteral Enteral Nutrition) National Congress. Appointed President Organizing Committee upcoming 2018 SENPE National Congress: Las Palmas de G.C.
• Appointed President Local Scientific Committee: Madrid 2018 ESPEN (European Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition) Congress.
• Research Award (best communication) 2006 National SEMICYUC (Sociedad Española Medicina Intensiva) Congress, for a research team collaborative study on fungal infections.
• Invited lecturer: SENPE, SEMICYUC, ESPEN, Trends in Medical Mycology.
• Author, co-author many impact factor studies (please, see: Pubmed: Ruiz-Santana S). h-index: 20; 2138 citations (date: last year consulted: 2016).
• Author of a book and 45 book chapters on critical care medicine.
• Invited reviewer for “American Journal Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine”, “Critical Care Medicine,” “Critical Care,” “Intensive Care Medicine,” “European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases,” “Acta Anesthesiologica Scandinavica,” “Medicina Intensiva.” “Medicina Clínica (BCN)”, and ANEP (Agencia Nacional Evaluación y Prospectiva).

Dr. José Jaime Sadhwani Alonso

Professor in the Environmental Technologies Area of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. He has participated in 26 projects and collaboration agreements. He is mostly focus on the research line of the water treatment sector and, specifically, in the desalination and reuse of water. Most research projects have contributed and consolidated knowledge, experience and innovation. His publications have been made in specialized magazines of the sector, such as: Desalination and Desalination and Water Treatment. His research work has meant real progress in knowledge, such as direct application to water desalination by reverse osmosis, since it has contributed to publicize technical criteria, control and operation to ensure that the facilities could operate efficiently.

He has held various positions in the university, from Secretary of Department,  Director of Academic Planning of the School of Industrial Engineering, Director of Sustainability, Director of Sustainability and Risk Prevention of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and currently he is a member of the University Senate and the Governing Council of the ULPGC.

In his previous professional activity he has developed activities such as the Head of the Desalination Plant of Las Palmas III-IV, Southeast, Arucas Moya, etc., and as Technical Director for the Canary Islands in the company “Desalination Projects and Installations” (nowadays integrated in the group ACCIONA, like Acciona Water), and has realized numerous industrial projects own of the exercise of the profession, like Industrial Engineer.

Dr. Tommaso Bochicchio Riccardelli

Professor of Nephrology, La Salle University, Mexico, D.F.

Professor Dr. Tommaso Bochicchio Riccardelli is a Doctor of Medicine, Specialist in Internal Medicine and Nephrology. Director of Nephrology, Mexican Transplant Institute, Cuernavaca Morelos, Director of FMC Clinics, Morelos, Mexico