Ester's Introduction
We at truefuels are delighted to welcome Ester onboard as our Scientific Advisor. With her exceptional expertise at the intersection of cancer biology, immunology, and cellular senescence, combined with her firsthand experience as a high-level athlete and endurance competitor, Ester brings a rare translational perspective that perfectly aligns with our mission to develop sports nutrition products that maximise both performance and long-term health. Her evidence-based mindset will guide the development and review of our fuelling strategies, translate complex research into clear, practical guidance athletes can rely on, and ensure every recommendation aligns seamlessly with the realities of training and competition. Ester’s passion for translating scientific insights into effective, safe solutions will be instrumental in advancing our mission to create products that unlock peak performance while prioritising long-term health.
Where Biology Meets Performance
1. Introduction
I am a postdoctoral researcher working at the intersection of cancer biology, immunology, and cellular senescence. Cellular senescence refers to a state in which cells stop dividing and no longer function normally. While this process can be protective in some contexts, senescent cells can accumulate over time and contribute to disease, including cancer. My research focuses on understanding how these senescent cells within tumours interact with the immune system, and how new immunotherapy-based strategies could help the body recognise and eliminate them, ultimately improving cancer treatment in the clinic.
My professional background is rooted in molecular and biomedical research and shaped by rigorous academic training. I hold a degree in Biochemistry, followed by a master’s degree in biomedical research and a PhD in Applied Medicine and Biomedicine. This academic foundation has given me a strong, evidence-based approach to understanding complex biological systems, with a strong focus on translating fundamental science into real-world applications.
Throughout my career, I have been guided by the belief that scientific knowledge reaches its true value when it is translated into practical benefits, whether in health, physical performance, or human longevity.
2. From sport to science: A translational perspective
Beyond the laboratory, sport has been a constant part of my life. From an early age, I competed at a high level across multiple disciplines, including many years playing football in Spain’s First and Second Divisions. Today, I focus on endurance sports, regularly running half marathons and exploring new challenges such as triathlons. These experiences have shaped my understanding of physiology, performance, and recovery, not only as a researcher but also as an athlete.
This background naturally informs my translational mindset. I am driven by research that moves beyond mechanistic insight to deliver real-world impact. The biological principles underlying immune adaptation, metabolic efficiency, and stress resilience are shared across cancer, ageing, and athletic performance, and it is within this shared biology that my scientific and athletic perspectives converge.
3. Bringing physiology to life: The science behind performance
Sports performance is one of the most direct and observable applications of human physiology. Factors such as nutrition, hydration, and recovery play a critical role not only in performance but also in health and long-term resilience. Approaching sports performance through a scientific, evidence-based lens allows for the development of solutions that are both effective and physiologically meaningful.
As a next step, I am collaborating with truefuels on the development of sports performance products, including gels and electrolyte formulations. It’s great to collaborate with truefuels; I truly respect their science-first approach to product development, and I am already working on future innovative products. This work represents an extension of my translational approach, while also reflecting my commitment to science communication, bringing evidence-based insights about human physiology closer to people in a clear and accessible way.
I strongly believe that science reaches its full potential when it is translated into practice. Through industry–academia collaboration, this work aims to bridge rigorous research with practical applications, contributing to sports nutrition solutions that prioritise efficacy, safety, and scientific integrity.
4. Looking ahead
Looking ahead, I see my career evolving at the intersection of academic research and applied performance science. Maintaining scientific depth while engaging with real-world challenges is not a contradiction, but a strength. From improving immune responses in cancer therapy to optimising performance and recovery in sport, my goal is to contribute to research that supports human potential across multiple dimensions.
5. Closing
Science and sport share a common foundation: discipline, curiosity, and continuous improvement. Both have shaped who I am, one teaching me to question, analyse, and seek precision, the other fostering perseverance, adaptability, and respect for the process. As I move forward, balancing academic research with applied performance science, my focus remains on contributing work that is rigorous, meaningful, and capable of making a real impact, both in the clinic and beyond.
