Prof. Dr at University of Valencia, Spain
Dr. María José Ruiz Leal, born on March 2, 1968, in Spain, is a distinguished Full Professor at the Universitat de València’s Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health. With a career spanning over two decades, she has significantly contributed to toxicology and food science, specializing in in vitro and in vivo studies related to pesticides and mycotoxins. Dr. Ruiz Leal has been part of multiple academic roles, growing from Associate Professor to Full Professor since 2018. She coordinates the Master’s program in Food Quality and Safety at UV and leads the RiskTox research group. A European Registered Toxicologist since 2018, she is recognized for her extensive research portfolio and mentorship, supervising numerous doctoral theses and authoring over 130 scientific publications.
Profile
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Education 🎓
Dr. María José Ruiz Leal’s educational journey began at the Universitat de València (UV), where she earned her First Degree in Pharmacy in 1992, laying the foundation for her future in academic and applied toxicology. In 1997, she completed her PhD in Pharmacy, obtaining European certification, which equipped her with expertise in pharmaceutical sciences and toxicological research. Her education laid the groundwork for her focus on public health and safety, integrating in-depth studies on food sciences and toxicology. With continuous professional development, Dr. Ruiz Leal gained credentials as a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT) in 2018, underscoring her commitment to advancing toxicological standards and education.
Experience 🧑🏫
Dr. María José Ruiz Leal’s extensive career at the Universitat de València (UV) commenced in 1998 with teaching and research roles, evolving from Assistant to Full Professor by 2018. Her work includes academic coordination of the Master’s in Food Quality and Safety program since 2023. She has directed numerous research initiatives, leading eight significant projects and collaborating in about 20 regional, national, and international studies. Her focus lies in evaluating chemical impacts through in vitro cell cultures and in vivo methods, contributing to over 200 scientific congresses and publishing 131 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 90 of which are in Q1. Her experience is complemented by supervising 12 high-quality doctoral theses.
🏆 Awards and Honors
Dr. María José Ruiz Leal’s dedication and excellence in her field have been marked by numerous accolades. She boasts four sexenios of recognized research quality, the most recent in 2021, highlighting her sustained contributions to scientific production. Her doctoral theses supervision has been distinguished with quality mentions in the Food Science program. Her extensive publication record, with 131 articles and a significant h-index of 46, showcases the impact of her work, bolstered by 5,494 citations. As a European Registered Toxicologist since 2018, Dr. Ruiz Leal’s contributions to toxicology have been acknowledged within the scientific community and by her peers.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. María José Ruiz Leal’s research is rooted in toxicology and food safety, focusing on the impact of pesticides and mycotoxins using both in vitro and in vivo methodologies. Her work explores the cellular and systemic effects of contaminants, utilizing advanced cell culture techniques to assess toxicity and safety in food products. As the director of the RiskTox research group at UV, she leads innovative projects investigating chemical exposures and public health risks. Her contributions span international collaborations, addressing challenges in toxicological research and advancing knowledge in food science. Her expertise supports the development of safer food practices and regulatory standards.
Conclusion
Dr. María José Ruiz Leal is an exemplary researcher who has demonstrated exceptional academic and scientific leadership over her distinguished career. Her extensive publication record, contributions to pioneering toxicological research, and leadership within scientific organizations make her highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award. Moving forward, expanding into new, emerging research areas and increasing her public engagement would further elevate her impact in the field.
Publications 📚
- “Integrated Approach to Cyclopiazonic Acid Cytotoxicity Using In Vitro (2D and 3D Models) and In Silico Methods”
- Authors: C. Martínez-Alonso, L. Izzo, Y. Rodríguez-Carrasco, MJ. Ruiz
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Toxins 16, 473
- Citations: 3
- “Amitraz mechanisms of cytotoxicity in a characterized SH-SY5Y cells spheroid model”
- Authors: F. Franco-Campos, M. Fernández-Franzón, Y. Rodríguez-Carrasco, MJ. Ruiz
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Toxicology 509, 153987
- DOI: Link
- “Identification of Biotransformation Products of T-2 Toxin in HepG2 Cells Using LC-Q-TOF MS”
- Authors: M. Taroncher, V. Zingales, Y. Rodríguez-Carrasco, MJ. Ruiz
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Foods 13 (10), 1501
- DOI: Link
- “Effect of Spirulina and Fish Processing By-Products Extracts on Citrinin-Induced Cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y Cells”
- Authors: FJ. Martí-Quijal, JM. Castagnini, FJ. Barba, MJ. Ruiz
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Foods 13 (12), 1932
- DOI: Link
- “Comparative Study of Spheroids (3D) and Monolayer Cultures (2D) for the In Vitro Assessment of Cytotoxicity Induced by the Mycotoxins Sterigmatocystin, Ochratoxin A and Patulin”
- Authors: V. Zingales, MR. Esposito, M. Quagliata, E. Cimetta, MJ. Ruiz
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Foods 13 (4), 564
- DOI: Link
- “Chlorpyrifos induces cytotoxicity via oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in HepG2 cells”
- Authors: C. Montanarí, F. Franco-Campos, M. Taroncher, Y. Rodríguez-Carrasco, V. Zingales, MJ. Ruiz
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Food Chemistry and Toxicology 192, 114933
- DOI: Link
- “Using Microfluidic Hepatic Spheroid Cultures to Assess Liver Toxicity of T-2 Mycotoxin”
- Authors: M. Taroncher, AM. Gonzalez-Suarez, K. Gwon, S. Romero, AD. Reyes-Figueroa, Y. Rodríguez-Carrasco, MJ. Ruiz, G. Stybayeva, A. Revzin, JM. de Hoyos-Vega
- Year: 2024
- Journal: Cells