Who is ... Prof. Dr. David Vilchez

David Vilchez studied biology at the University of Barcelona, receiving his B.Sc. in 2001. He completed his doctoral training at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), earning his Ph.D. in 2008. He then pursued postdoctoral research in the United States, first at the Salk Institute and later at University of California Berkeley's Li Ka Shing Center in Prof. Andrew Dillin's laboratory. In 2014, he joined the University of Cologne as a junior group leader at CECAD and the Institute for Genetics. In 2021, he was appointed a W2 professor.

His research explores how protein homeostasis, also known as proteostasis, regulates stem cell function, influences the aging process, and contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Vilchez Lab uses a variety of methods, including advanced proteomics, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models, and genetic studies in Caenorhabditis elegans and plant systems. This interdisciplinary approach enables the lab to reveal fundamental principles of cellular resilience and identify novel therapeutic strategies that promote healthspan.

Professor Vilchez has published in several leading journals, including Nature, Science Advances, Nature Aging, and Nature Metabolism. His most notable studies include discoveries on how cold temperatures can extend longevity and prevent protein aggregation; how proteostasis in germline stem cells delays somatic aging; and how systemic regulation of mitochondria safeguards organismal health. His publications have been widely cited and recognized for shaping the current understanding of aging at the molecular level.

PubMed Link

His achievements have been honored with prestigious awards and grants, including an ERC Starting Grant and a Marie Curie Career Integration Grant. He has also been recognized with the IRB Alumni of Excellence Award and the F. M. Kirby Foundation Postdoctoral Scholar Award. In addition to his research, he contributes to the scientific community as a member of the Steering Committee of the Cologne Graduate School of Ageing Research and serves on the editorial board of Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences.