SOTO ROJAS, LUIS OSKAR

I am a medical doctor with an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological and Health Sciences from the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Mexico. Since 2020, I have served as an independent early-career researcher at the Faculty of Higher Studies Iztacala (FES Iztacala) of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). My research centers on neurodegenerative diseases, emphasizing blood–brain barrier dysfunction, protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD).
My current work examines how metabolic modulators (liraglutide, pioglitazone) and structured physical exercise modify pathological hallmarks in AD models—BBB integrity, tau and β-amyloid pathology, mitochondrial function, cognition, and motor performance. I have expertise in medicine, histology, and molecular biology. I identify translational biomarkers and now focus on clinical translation—evaluating creatine supplementation plus structured exercise as an accessible, disease-modifying strategy for patients with early-stage AD.
I am recognized as the youngest medical doctor elected to the Mexican National Academy of Medicine, reflecting my early trajectory, leadership, ability to build strong national and international networks, and the translational impact of my work. Over the past five years, I have authored more than 30 publications (H-index 18, 1,300+ citations) and reviewed 40+ manuscripts (2021–2025) for international journals (e.g., Biomedical Journal, BBRC, Chemical Biology & Drug Design, Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark, and MDPI titles such as Pharmaceutics, IJMS, and Brain Sciences).
I have led four national projects and currently direct an IBRO-funded USA–Mexico collaboration, demonstrating my capacity to lead research at national and international levels. As the scientific coordinator of the MEDICI program, I have trained medical students and professionals, supervised a postdoctoral fellow, graduated more than 10 medical doctors and 7 master’s students, and currently advise 8 doctoral and 3 master’s theses.
As a member of ISTAART (Alzheimer’s Association), the Society for Neuroscience, and Mexico’s National System of Researchers (SNI), I am a young, independent investigator with a strategic vision, committed to forging impactful collaborations to advance innovative, patient-focused solutions for neurodegenerative diseases.