About Us
Key Personnel & Founders
NEUROSTECH‘s founders and talented key personnel, linked to the University of Oviedo (UniOvi) and the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), include experienced and young professionals with diverse and complementary technical backgrounds, building on the company’s roots since 2020.
Manuel Menéndez, MD, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Board President
Scientific Advisory Board Head
Prof. Manuel Menéndez-González earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oviedo in 2008 and has obtained postgraduate diplomas from several institutions, including University College London (UK). With over 25 years of clinical experience in managing neurological conditions, he currently serves as a neurologist at the Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA) and as a Professor of Medicine at the University of Oviedo. His research specializes in the clinical and translational neuroscience of neurodegenerative diseases.
Manuel has more than 200 publications in international journals (h-index: 37), is a peer reviewer in 16 international journals, filed international patent applications, and is experienced in preclinical medical device development including proof of concept in animal models. Prof. Menéndez-González serves as the President of NEUROSTECH’s scientific advisory board.
Gabriel Álvarez, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & CEO
Gabriel Álvarez earned his degree in Analytical Chemistry and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Oviedo. He received his training in the Immunoelectroanalysis Research Group at the University of Oviedo, under the guidance of Prof. Agustín Costa García.
With over 14 years of experience, Gabriel has held key scientific roles and served as a board member in two biotech start-ups, Healthsens, S.L. and NEUROSTECH, where he has successfully managed and coordinated more than 15 research projects. Additionally, he has served as a professor and mentor, supervising laboratory practices for students at the University of Oviedo. He has also supervised several master’s theses and undergraduate final projects.
Catuxa Prado, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer
Catuxa Prado, Ph.D., is a scientist with over 13 years of experience in the biotech sector. She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Oviedo in 2012, receiving the highest honors (Summa Cum Laude) and International Mention for her thesis on the immunology of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Throughout her career, she has played a key role in two biotech startups, Healthsens, S.L. and NEUROSTECH, where she is a co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer, leading the design and implementation of the business plan and overseeing R&D activities.
Her postdoctoral training in nanomaterials and nanotechnology at CINN-CSIC involved groundbreaking work in developing biocidal inorganic materials. She has also worked in the developing of biosensors for prevalent diseases, and medical devices for Alzheimer’s treatment. She has supervised Ph.D. theses and has wide experience in quality management systems (ISO 9001, ISO 13485, CE marking) and in the biological evaluation of medical devices.
Francisco Morís, Ph.D.
Chief Business Development Officer
Francisco Morís has over 25 years of experience in the biotech industry across roles as a manager, entrepreneur, expert consultant, visiting professor and research scientist. Experienced in both small and large companies, cross-functional team work and coordination, project management, technology transfer and business development. Innovative researcher, strong publication (h-index 37) and patent record (20 families), skilled in business, operational and strategic planning, as well as fundraising from public and private sources.
Francisco received his Ph.D. in 1994 from the University of Oviedo and was a postdoctoral fellow at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla (USA). Dr Morís has worked in U.S. Biotech (ThermoGen, MediChem, deCode Genetics) and Pharma Companies (Bristol-Myers Squibb) before launching and leading EntreChem, S.L., a company for oncology drug development based on synthetic biology and genetic engineering. He served as Head of Development at CancerAppy, S.L., an Artificial Intelligence company for drug discovery and development. And is currently Member of the Board of Directors at Microviable Therapeutics SL, a developer of precision medicine microbiota-based therapies.
María Rodríguez Cañón, Ph.D.
Biomedical Engineer
María Rodríguez Cañón completed her B.S. degree in Biomedical and Medical Engineering at the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, before completing a Master in the same topic at Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya. She received her Ph.D. in 2021 at the Department of Neuroscience at the University Autónoma of Barcelona.
Her work as a researcher has primarily focused on applied clinical solutions through engineering. Experience in preclinical and human’s studies as ERA-NET NEURON project researcher in interdisciplinary centers and hospitals.
Ester Pérez-Martín, Ph.D.
Neurobiologist
Ester Pérez Martín completed her B.S. degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Salamanca, followed by a Master in Neuroscience at the Laboratory of Neuronal Plasticity and Neurorepair (Institute of Neuroscience of Castilla y León, Spain). In 2022 she earned her Ph.D. from the University of Salamanca under the supervision of Eduardo Weruaga and David Díaz.
Ester is currently a Torres Quevedo postdoctoral researcher with expertise in neurodegenerative diseases, preclinical evaluation of innovative therapies and animal research bioethics. Member of both national and international research projects, collaborating closely with interdisciplinary and academic institutions.