Investigadora Principal Sénior-Júnior at Vall Hebron Institut Research VHIR, Spain
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé is a distinguished researcher specializing in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with over a decade of experience in clinical-translational research. She holds dual degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry, a PhD with international distinction, and a master’s in Synthesis and Catalysis from Universitat Rovira i Virgili. As a Senior-Junior Principal Investigator at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, her work focuses on identifying novel biomarkers, developing personalized treatments, and exploring innovative therapies such as CAAR-T cells for lupus nephritis. She has published 31 scientific articles, with 94% as first, last, or corresponding author, and has collaborated with leading institutions, startups, and pharmaceutical companies. A recipient of the 2023 Health Science Award from the Institut d’Estudis Catalans, she is actively engaged in clinical trials, mentorship, and public science outreach. Dr. Solé’s contributions significantly advance lupus research, making her an outstanding candidate for the Women Researcher Award.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé has a strong academic background in chemistry, biochemistry, and translational medicine. She earned dual degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry from Universitat Rovira i Virgili, followed by a master’s in Synthesis and Catalysis at the same institution. She later pursued a PhD with international distinction, focusing on innovative research in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Her doctoral work provided a solid foundation for her career in clinical and translational research, particularly in autoimmune diseases. Committed to continuous learning, Dr. Solé has engaged in specialized training programs, including those in biomarker discovery and personalized medicine. Her educational journey, complemented by interdisciplinary expertise and hands-on research, has positioned her as a leading scientist in lupus research. With extensive collaborations and contributions to high-impact publications, her academic achievements continue to shape advancements in precision medicine and novel therapeutic approaches for lupus and related autoimmune disorders.
Professional Experience
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé is an accomplished researcher specializing in autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). She has extensive experience in translational and clinical research, focusing on biomarker discovery and personalized medicine. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with leading research institutions and hospitals, contributing to the advancement of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Dr. Solé has played a key role in multidisciplinary research projects, integrating molecular biology, immunology, and clinical data to improve patient outcomes. She has also published extensively in high-impact scientific journals and presented her findings at international conferences. Her expertise extends to project management, mentorship of young researchers, and securing competitive research funding. Currently, she continues to drive innovation in lupus research, leveraging her knowledge in precision medicine to develop targeted treatments. Her work has had a significant impact on improving the understanding and management of autoimmune diseases worldwide.
Research Interest
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé’s research interests focus on autoimmune diseases, with a particular emphasis on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Her work explores the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathogenesis, aiming to identify novel biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. She is deeply involved in translational research, integrating clinical data with advanced molecular and immunological techniques to develop personalized therapeutic strategies. Dr. Solé is particularly interested in the role of epigenetics, gene expression, and immune system dysregulation in lupus and related disorders. Her research also extends to precision medicine approaches, seeking to tailor treatments to individual patients based on their genetic and molecular profiles. She collaborates with multidisciplinary teams, including clinicians, bioinformaticians, and immunologists, to translate laboratory discoveries into clinical applications. Through her work, Dr. Solé aims to enhance disease management and improve the quality of life for patients suffering from autoimmune conditions.
Award and Honor
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé is a distinguished researcher specializing in autoimmune diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome. Since 2021, she has served as a Senior-Junior Principal Investigator in the Rheumatology team at the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Unit of the Vall Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). Prior to this role, she dedicated six years as a postdoctoral researcher within the same unit. Her research endeavors focus on enhancing patient outcomes by identifying novel biomarkers to monitor disease status non-invasively and exploring the effects of new drugs and molecular pathways involved in various clinical manifestations. This work has led to multiple publications in internationally recognized journals and invitations to present at prestigious conferences such as the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR).
Research Skill
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé possesses a diverse range of research skills, particularly in the fields of autoimmune diseases, biomarker discovery, and drug synthesis. She has extensive experience in molecular biology techniques, biochemical assays, and analytical chemistry, which she applies to her studies on systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid syndrome. Her expertise includes non-invasive biomarker identification to improve disease monitoring and understanding the mechanisms of action of novel therapeutic agents. With a strong background in synthetic chemistry, she has worked on the enantioselective synthesis of drugs and the development of anticancer compounds. Additionally, she is skilled in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication, with multiple publications in high-impact journals and presentations at international conferences such as ACR and EULAR. Her interdisciplinary approach, combining chemistry, biochemistry, and immunology, enables her to contribute significantly to translational research and patient-centered advancements in rheumatology.
Conclusion
Dr. Cristina Solé Marcé is a highly accomplished researcher with an impressive track record in autoimmune disease research, particularly lupus. Her combination of scientific excellence, leadership, international collaboration, and patient engagement makes her a compelling candidate for the Women Researcher Award. Strengthening her funding profile and expanding her research applications could further solidify her impact. Given her current achievements, she is well-deserving of recognition through this award.
Publications Top Noted
- Solé et al., 2025 – Topical miRNA Delivery via Elastic Liposomal Formulation: A Promising Genetic Therapy for Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. Int. J. Mol. Sci. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26062641
- Sandoval, Solé et al., 2024 – Neuropilin-1 as a Key Molecule for Renal Recovery in Lupus Nephritis: Insights from an NZB/W F1 Mouse Model. Int. J. Mol. Sci. DOI: 10.3390/ijms252111364
- Solé et al., 2024 – Precise Targeting of Autoantigen-Specific B Cells in Lupus Nephritis with Chimeric Autoantibody Receptor T Cells. Int. J. Mol. Sci. DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084226
- Solé et al., 2023 – Small-Extracellular-Vesicle-Derived miRNA Profile Identifies miR-483-3p and miR-326 as Regulators in the Pathogenesis of Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). Int. J. Mol. Sci. DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411607
- Solé et al., 2023 – Downregulation of miR-885-5p Promotes NF-κB Pathway Activation and Immune Recruitment in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus. J. Investig. Dermatol. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.08.036
- Solé et al., 2022 – Humoral and Cellular Response in Convalescent COVID-19 Lupus Patients. Sci. Rep. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17334-5
- Domingo, Solé et al., 2021 – Thalidomide Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in Cutaneous Lupus by Inhibiting the IRF4/NF-ҡB and AMPK1/mTOR Pathways. Biomedicines. DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121857
- Domingo, Solé et al., 2020 – Efficacy of Thalidomide in Discoid Lupus Erythematosus: Insights into the Molecular Mechanisms. Dermatology. DOI: 10.1159/000508672
- Domingo, Solé et al., 2020 – MicroRNAs in Several Cutaneous Autoimmune Diseases: Psoriasis, Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus, and Atopic Dermatitis. Cells. DOI: 10.3390/cells9122656
- Garcia-Vives, Solé et al., 2020 – The Urinary Exosomal miRNA Expression Profile is Predictive of Clinical Response in Lupus Nephritis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041372
- Solé et al., 2019 – MicroRNA Expression Profiling Identifies miR-31 and miR-485-3p as Regulators in the Pathogenesis of Discoid Cutaneous Lupus. J. Investig. Dermatol. DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.07.026
