Interview MDR Postdoc: Ignasi Jorba

Who are you, what is your background and how did you get involved in MDR?

My name is Ignasi Jorba, and I am 31 years old. I come from a city next to Barcelona called Vilanova i la Geltrú. Since I was a kid, my grandfather introduced me to the world of mathematics and how to apply them to solve engineering problems. Therefore, I decided to pursue scientific studies. I studied Physics at the University of Barcelona, complemented with a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. I started my academic career by performing a PhD in studying multiscale mechanical properties of biological tissues ranging from lung, heart and brain. I finished the PhD at the end of 2019. Immediately after, at the beginning of 2020, I move abroad to join the Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology group at Eindhoven University of Technology as a postdoctoral researcher under the supervision of Prof. Carlijn Bouten to study the effects of the mechanical stimuli on cardiac extracellular matrix organization.

Tell us a little bit more about the research you are planning to do within MDR.

My aim is to understand how tissue mechanical properties (e.g. stiffness) affect cardiac cell and extracellular matrix behaviour and organization. I am developing two-dimensional and three-dimensional in vitro models based on light-sensitive biomaterials to change their stiffness.

Who is your biggest example in science and why?

I have to say that besides my grandfather, in high school, I had a very inspiring and motivational physics teacher that transmitted to the students the passion for science and how mathematics can help solve biological problems.

What do you do in your free time and how can we recognize the typical Ignasi?

I consider myself an active person, and during my free time, I enjoy going to the mountains. In summer for hiking and in winter for skiing. Moreover, I really like to enjoy spending time with friends having nice conversations and playing chess.