Álex Pérez Sánchez
Tagline:PhD Student & Assistant Professor @ Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Barcelona, España
About me
Greetings! I'm a computational chemist with a fascination for unraveling the intricacies of inflammation processes. My research is dedicated to understanding cyclooxygenase pathways, a key puzzle piece in designing novel drugs, potentially impactful in cancer treatment.
🧪 Research Focus: My PhD journey revolves around delving into inflammation mechanisms. By employing computational methods, I aim to shed light on cyclooxygenase processes, paving the way for innovative drug design strategies with potential implications for cancer therapeutics.
🎓 Teaching Path: With nine years of dedicated teaching experience, I've honed my skills in imparting knowledge. Currently, I assist in lab and problem sessions for both basic chemistry and computational chemistry, nurturing the budding scientific minds of bachelor students.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
from: 2022, until: presentField of study:Computational Chemistry applied to BiosystemsSchool:Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaLocation:Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
DescriptionThis programme aims to train researchers both for the business and academic sectors covering a wide range of areas from molecular structures to industrial applications.
Master's Degree Erasmus Mundus in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modelling
from: 2021, until: 2023Field of study:Computational ChemistrySchool:Universitat de BarcelonaLocation:Barcelona
DescriptionThe TCCM master will teach you the fundamental of Quantum Chemistry, which is at the core of most accurate techniques in Theoretical Chemistry, but will also provide you with the necessary skills to use and modify the most advanced software codes used to perform simulations of real systems. You will also learn to simulate complex systems by combining techniques based on Quantum Mechanics with classical Molecular Dynamics techniques.
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
from: 2017, until: 2021Field of study:ScienceSchool:Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaLocation:Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
DescriptionA bachelor’s degree offering theoretical and experimental training in what matter is and how it can be analysed and transformed, both from the scientific perspective as well as possible industrial applications
Academic Positions
PhD Student Researcher
from: 2022, until: presentOrganization:Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaLocation:Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
Assistant Professor
from: 2022, until: presentOrganization:Universitat Autònoma de BarelonaLocation:Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
Master Student Researcher
from: 2022, until: 2023Organization:Universitat de Barcelona
Research Collaborator
from: 2021, until: 2022Organization:Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaLocation:Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
Undergraduate Student Researcher
from: 2020, until: 2021Organization:Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaLocation:Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona
Research Projects
Using Biomolecular Engineering and Theoretical Photopharmacology to Design and Obtain New Drugs for Human Diseases, Including COVID-19
date: 2021Organization:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Description:In this project in the field of theoretical molecular biology we aim to apply the most powerful tools of theoretical chemistry (quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics and biomolecular simulations) to the central problems of the biotechnological and pharmaceutical industry.
Publications
Computational Calculation of the Fluorescence Spectrum of a COX-2-specific Fluorogenic Probe Inside the Human COX-2
ThesisPublisher:Universitat de BarcelonaDate:2023Authors:Estudi Teòric de Fotointerruptors Moleculars com Possibles Inhibidors de l'Activitat Enzimàtica
DocumentPublisher:Universitat Autònoma de BarcelonaDate:2021Authors:
Teaching
Interactive Chemistry Sessions
From: 2024, Until: 2024
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:ARGO Program
Co-Supervision of Research Activities
From: 2023, Until: present
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:Final Bachelor's Degree Project
Description:Co-supervision of two final bachelor’s degree projects.
Chemistry Fundamentals
From: 2023, Until: 2024
Organization:Department of ChemistryField:Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering
Description:Professor for problems sessions of Chemistry Foundations (51.9 hours)
Quantum Chemistry
From: 2023, Until: 2024
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
Description:Professor for the computational laboratories of Quantum Chemistry (20 hours)
Correction and Supervision of University Entrance Tests
From: 2023, Until: 2023
Organization:Generalitat de CatalunyaField:University Entrance Tests
Description:Chemistry Corrector and Supervisor of Court 329
Quantum Chemistry
From: 2022, Until: 2023
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry
Description:Professor for the computational laboratories of Quantum Chemistry (20 hours)
Co-Supervision of Research Activities
From: 2022, Until: 2023
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:Final Bachelor's Degree Project
Description:Co-supervision of one final bachelor’s degree projects.
Chemical Bonding and Structure of Matter
From: 2022, Until: 2023
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:Bachelor's Degree in Nanoscience and Nanotechonology
Description:Professor for the experimental laboratories of Chemical Bonding and Structure of Matter (12 hours)
Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations
From: 2022, Until: 2023
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:Bachelor's Degree in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
Description:Professor for the experimental laboratories of Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Phase Transformations (12 hours)
Interactive Chemistry Sessions
From: 2022, Until: 2023
Organization:Chemistry DepartmentField:ARGO Program
Communications
Oral Communication | Understanding COX-2 for the Design of New Cancer Drugs: Computational Study with Specific Photochromic Compounds
Date: Feb 2024
Event name: 15th Young Researchers in Atomic and Molecular Physics Conference (J2IFAM) .Location: Insitut de Ciència Molecular (ICMol), Parc Científic de la Universitat de València, València, España .
Description:Cyclooxygenases are a family of enzymes essential in the regulation of inflammation and other processes in the human body. There are two main isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, with different roles and patterns of expression in tissues. COX-1 is widely expressed and maintains homeostasis, while COX-2 is restricted to specific regions and it is inducible, especially in at inflamed tissues and cancer cells. COX-2 overexpression is associated with the development of cancer in several types of tumors. To investigate this phenomenon, fluorescent compounds derived from anti-inflammatory drugs are usually experimentally used for the detection of COX-2 in cancer cells.
Using different computational techniques (Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics Simulations, QM/MM and TD-DFT Calculations) we have calculated and analyzed the fluorescence spectra of a photochromic compound bound to the monomer and dimer of human COX-2. The differences between the monomeric and dimeric spectra reveals molecular insights of the protein’s behavior in cells with COX-2 overexpressed. This research provides valuable information for the possible future design of specific drugs for cancer treatments.Oral Communication | Entendre la COX-2 pel Dissney de Fàrmacs Contra el Càncer: Estudi Computacional Mitjançant un Compost Fluorogènic Específic
Date: Jan 2024
Event name: 13a Trobada de Joves Investigadors dels Països Catalans .Location: Tarragona, Catalunya, Espanya .
Poster Communication | lluminating the Dark Side of COX-2: Insights from Computational Simulations and Fluorescent Probes in Cancer Research
Date: Aug 2023
Event name: European Conference on Computational & Theoretical Chemistry .Location: Thessaloniki, Greece .
Description:Exploring Molecular Space. Presented by the Division of Computational and Theoretical Chemistry
Courses
Practical Tools for the Inclusion of Students with Functional Diversity in Teaching Types
from: Dec 2023, until: Dec 2023
Organization: Suport a estudiants amb Necessitats Educatives Específiques (PIUNE) .
Workshop for Implementation Challenge-Based Learning by Dorothea Ellinger (Technische Universität Hamburg)
from: Dec 2023, until: Dec 2023
Organization: Projecte “Desenvolupament de metodologies actives, ApS i ABR, aplicades a les assignatures de Pràctiques Externes i TFE. Una acció tutorial transversal i interdisciplinària envers els ODS”. En col·laboració amb l’Oficina de Reptes UAB .
Research data: publish open research data and create a Data Management Plan (DMP)
from: Nov 2023, until: Nov 2023
Organization: Servei de Bibloteques. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona .
What can do Charmm-GUI for you?
from: Jun 2023, until: Jun 2023
Organization: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas | CSIC .
Chemical Risks in the Laboratory
from: Nov 2022, until: Nov 2022
Organization: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona .
Molecular Modelling: Biomolecules and Drug Design 2022. An Advanced Course in Computational Chemistry
from: Jun 2022, until: Jul 2022
Organization: Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTC-UB) .
Description:The advanced course intended to broaden the vision of the potentials of computing in the research and development of new drugs, new materials or new compounds.
The course takes place for a whole week and is mainly addressed to Chemistry, Biology, Pharmacy and Chemical Engineering students.School on Quantum and Mixed Quantum Classical Dynamics in Photochemistry
from: May 2022, until: May 2022
Course Number: CECAM-ES .Organization: Universidad de Zaragoza .
Description:Photoinitiated processes are important for the understanding of natural phenomena and they also play an essential role in emerging fields as renewable energy, material design and nano-medicine.
School on Kinetics and Dynamics of Chemical Reactions
from: May 2022, until: May 2022
Course Number: CECAM-ES .Organization: Universidad de Zaragoza .
Description:Molecular reaction dynamics is the study of elementary processes and the means of probing them, understanding them, and controlling them. It can be applied to reactions in gas phase, in solution and onto surfaces, exploring the elementary steps in catalysis. Nowadays, chemistry requires a molecular level understanding of the reactivity.
Contact me
Address
Álex Pérez Sánchez
Office C7/157, Facultat de Ciències i Biociències
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Cerdanyola del Vallès, Campus de la UAB
Barcelona, ES