Research - Our Team

With a degree in Biology and Biochemistry, Alfons has been an integral part of ISGlobal since 2006, serving as a specialist technician in immunological assays, data analysis, and advanced research support. He has developed expertise in techniques such as qSAT, flow cytometry, and high-throughput platforms, alongside statistical analysis and graphical representation of results using R.

Alfons primarily supports the Malaria Immunology Research Group led by Principal Investigator Dr. Carlota Dobaño and Dr. Gemma Moncunilla, contributing to studies focusing on malaria and COVID-19. Additionally, he collaborates with other ISGlobal research groups, providing technical expertise and fostering interdisciplinary projects.

Certified as a Researcher User of Laboratory Animals for Experimental Purposes, Alfons ensures ethical research standards are upheld. As part of ISGlobal’s newly established Core Facility on Immune Response and Biomarkers, he operates state-of-the-art platforms such as Olink’s high-throughput precision panels for proteomics research and Luminex technology.

Alfons also plays a vital role in knowledge transfer by training new team members, including PhD students, master's students, technicians, and interns. This dedication to mentoring fosters the growth of future professionals and strengthens ISGlobal’s research capabilities.

Through a combination of technical expertise, advanced data analysis, and collaborative engagement, Alfons significantly contributes to ISGlobal’s mission to improve global health by translating innovative research into impactful solutions.

Lines of research

• Malaria
• COVID-19
• Epidemilogy
• Immunology
• LUMINEX
• OLINK
• Citometry
• R language

Main publications

• High-resolution kinetics and cellular determinants of SARS-CoV-2 antibody response over two years after COVID-19 vaccination. Rubio R, Macià D, Barrios D, Vidal M, Jiménez A, Molinos-Albert LM, Díaz N, Canyelles M, Lara-Escandell M, Planchais C, Santamaria P, Carolis C, Izquierdo L, Aguilar R, Moncunill G, Dobaño C. Microbes Infect. 2024 Sep 17:105423. doi: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105423. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39299570 
• Malaria and other infections induce polyreactive antibodies that impact SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity estimations in endemic settings. Aguilar R, Jiménez A, Santano R, Vidal M, Maiga-Ascofare O, Strauss R, Bonney J, Agbogbatey M, Goovaerts O, Boham EEA, Adu EA, Cuamba I, Ramírez-Morros A, Dutta S, Angov E, Zhan B, Izquierdo L, Santamaria P, Mayor A, Gascón J, Ruiz-Comellas A, Molinos-Albert LM, Amuasi JH, Awuah AA, Adriaensen W, Dobaño C, Moncunill G. J Med Virol. 2024 Jun;96(6):e29713. doi: 10.1002/jmv.29713. PMID: 38874194
• Evaluation of the accuracy of a multi-infection screening test based on a multiplex immunoassay targeting imported diseases common in migrant populations. Aguilar R, Cruz A, Jiménez A, Almuedo A, Saumell CR, Lopez MG, Gasch O, Falcó G, Jiménez-Lozano A, Martínez-Perez A, Sanchez-Collado C, Tedesco A, López MC, Pinazo MJ, Leonel T, Bisoffi Z, Färnert A, Dobaño C, Requena-Méndez A. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2024 Jan-Feb;57:102681. doi: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102681. Epub 2023 Dec 21. PMID: 38141899 
• Spike-based COVID-19 immunization increases antibodies to nucleocapsid antigen. Dobaño C, Jiménez A, Rubio R, Alonso S, Ramírez-Morros A, Vidal M, Vidal-Alaball J, Ruiz-Comellas A, García-Basteiro AL, Izquierdo L, Aguilar R, Moncunill G. Transl Res. 2022 Feb;240:26-32. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.10.004. Epub 2021 Oct 25. PMID: 34710636 
• Quantification of malaria antigens PfHRP2 and pLDH by quantitative suspension array technology in whole blood, dried blood spot and plasma. Martiáñez-Vendrell X, Jiménez A, Vásquez A, Campillo A, Incardona S, González R, Gamboa D, Torres K, Oyibo W, Faye B, Macete E, Menéndez C, Ding XC, Mayor A. Malar J. 2020 Jan 9;19(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s12936-019-3083-5. PMID: 31918718