Carmen Peña Bautista

Before joining Karolinska Institutet, I worked at the Fundación para la Investigación del Hospital Universitario La Fe, where I specialized in biomarker discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. My research focused on identifying plasma biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease using multi-omics approaches, including lipidomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and oxidative stress analysis. I have experience in coordinating clinical studies, analyzing biological samples, and developing analytical methods for biomarker identification.

In October 2024, I joined Daniel Ferreira’s research group at Karolinska Institutet as a postdoctoral researcher. My research focuses on fluid and imaging biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.

2011 – 2015: B.Sc. in n Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, University of Valencia, Spain

2015 – 2017: Advanced Technician in Clinical Laboratory Analysis, Valencia, Spain

2017 – 2018: M.Sc. in Biomedical Research, University of Valencia, Spain

2018 – 2024: M.Sc. in Secondary Education Teaching with a Specialization in Biosanitary Sciences, University of Valencia, Spain.

2018 – 2024: Ph.D. studies in Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain. Thesis title: Identification of plasma biomarkers for the early Alzheimer Disease diagnosis through lipid peroxidation and multi-omics studies. (supervisors: dr. Consuelo Cháfer-Pericás, dr. Máximo Vento-Torres).

My main postdoctoral project, titled "Innovative Methods for the Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Dementia with Lewy Bodies, " aims to transform the current diagnostic approach to dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) by implementing ultra-sensitive biomarkers to directly measure α-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and evaluating the impact of co-pathologies on both the diagnosis and prognosis of DLB. Specifically, it seeks to enhance diagnostic accuracy by integrating RT-QuIC, plasma, and imaging biomarkers while investigating the role of key pathological processes—including β-amyloid, Tau, and α-synuclein—in DLB progression. Additionally, it explores the relationship between neurodegeneration, vascular pathology, and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in these patients.