Dr. Marta Sala Climent | Microbiome | Best Researcher Award
University of California-San Diego | United States
Marta Sala Climent is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in the intersection of nutrition, metabolism, and chronic inflammation. Her work integrates expertise in molecular biology, clinical nutrition, and bioinformatics to investigate how diet influences immune responses and disease outcomes, with a particular focus on arthritis. Through clinical studies and preclinical research, she has developed a strong background in dietary intervention trials, microbiome and metabolomics profiling, and integrative bioinformatics approaches. Marta is passionate about translating basic science discoveries into personalized nutrition strategies to improve the health and quality of life of individuals with chronic inflammatory conditions. She has contributed to multi-omics studies exploring metabolic pathways and immune regulation, advancing precision medicine approaches to disease management. Her research emphasizes collaboration across disciplines, combining clinical insights, molecular data, and computational modeling. Marta’s academic journey reflects her dedication to bridging the gap between nutrition science and medical research to create actionable, evidence-based interventions for patients.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Marta Sala Climent completed her integrated pharmacy training at the University of Valencia, where she gained a deep understanding of pharmacology, chemistry, and biomedical sciences. She pursued additional studies in human nutrition at CEU Cardenal Herrera University, expanding her expertise in dietary science and its role in chronic disease prevention and management. Her doctoral training in translational medicine at the same institution focused on exploring how diet and metabolism influence inflammatory pathways, establishing her foundation in multi-omics research and clinical trial design. She then joined the University of California, San Diego, as a postdoctoral researcher, where she further developed her skills in systems biology, bioinformatics, and advanced statistical modeling. This international academic trajectory has allowed her to bridge pharmacy, nutrition, and biomedical research, creating a multidisciplinary approach to understanding disease mechanisms. Marta’s training exemplifies her commitment to precision health and integrating scientific discoveries into real-world therapeutic strategies.
Experience
Marta Sala Climent has built a career at the intersection of clinical research, systems biology, and nutrition science. As a postdoctoral researcher in rheumatology, she investigates the molecular and metabolic pathways underlying inflammation, particularly in arthritis. She has contributed to the design, implementation, and analysis of clinical nutrition trials, integrating microbiome and metabolomic data to understand dietary impacts on immune function. Prior to her current role, Marta worked as a visiting scholar in the United States, expanding her expertise in computational biology and single-cell transcriptomics. Her doctoral research in Spain focused on translational medicine, where she applied multi-omics approaches to uncover mechanisms of chronic inflammation and disease progression. Marta’s experience spans laboratory science, patient-focused research, and data-driven modeling, positioning her as a leader in precision nutrition research. She has also mentored students, collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, and presented her findings internationally, demonstrating her commitment to advancing healthcare innovation.
Awards and Honors
Marta Sala Climent has earned recognition for her academic and research excellence through competitive fellowships and international opportunities. She was awarded a merit-based doctoral fellowship that supported her research in translational medicine, highlighting her outstanding academic achievements. Her dedication to advancing global research collaboration was recognized through a competitive mobility fellowship, allowing her to undertake a visiting scholar role in an international research program. These honors reflect Marta’s commitment to pursuing scientific excellence and building a strong foundation in biomedical and nutrition research. In addition to formal awards, Marta has contributed significantly to her field through publications in peer-reviewed journals, leadership in collaborative studies, and the development of multi-omics research pipelines. Her recognition underscores her ability to bridge laboratory science with patient-centered outcomes, furthering innovation in chronic disease management. Marta’s achievements illustrate her dedication to applying rigorous scientific inquiry to create impactful and clinically relevant solutions.
Research Focus
Marta Sala Climent’s research centers on understanding how diet and metabolism shape immune responses in chronic inflammatory diseases. She investigates the molecular mechanisms linking nutrition, inflammation, and disease progression, integrating microbiome, metabolomics, and transcriptomic data to identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Her expertise includes clinical nutrition trials that explore the role of anti-inflammatory diets in arthritis, as well as computational analyses of biological samples to map immune-metabolic interactions. Marta has developed advanced workflows to integrate multi-omics datasets, uncovering molecular pathways that predict patient responses to dietary interventions. She also applies single-cell transcriptomics to characterize cellular signaling networks driving inflammation in joint tissues. Her interdisciplinary approach combines laboratory science, bioinformatics, and clinical research to inform precision medicine strategies. By identifying metabolic signatures of inflammation and dietary responsiveness, Marta’s work contributes to developing targeted therapies and nutrition-based interventions aimed at improving outcomes for patients with chronic immune-mediated diseases.
Publications
Title: The effect of an anti-inflammatory diet on chronic pain: a pilot study
Year: 2023
Citations: 15
Title: Oxylipin serum profile changes in response to an open-label anti-inflammatory dietary intervention
Year: 2025
Citations: 1
Title: Synovial 5‐Lipoxygenase–Derived Oxylipins Define a Lympho‐Myeloid–Enriched Synovium
Year: 2024
Citations: 1
Title: Clinical changes in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients exposed to an anti-inflammatory (ITIS)-diet
Year: 2023
Citations: 1
Conclusion
Marta Sala Climent interdisciplinary expertise, high-quality publications, and contributions to translational research position her as a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her innovative work in integrating microbiome, metabolomics, and transcriptomics to develop precision nutrition strategies has significant clinical implications. With continued emphasis on independent funding, leadership roles, and expanding her research scope, she is well on her way to becoming a global leader in systems biology and nutrition-based interventions for chronic inflammatory diseases.