Dr Rosa P. Gomariz, Professor of Cell Biology at the Complutense University of Madrid, is an international reference in the study of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the immune system. Her pioneering work in this field has been fundamental in understanding the role of VIP and Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide (PACAP) in the regulation of the immune system and their therapeutic potential in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Since the publication of her first study on the presence of VIP in lymphocytes in 1990 (Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 4: 151-61), Dr Gomariz has consolidated a school of researchers dedicated to this field. Her scientific career, ranging from basic to applied and translational research, is reflected in more than 120 publications with a significant academic impact, accumulating more than 8,400 citations.

His most outstanding contributions include:

• Discovery of VIP and PACAP expression and production in lymphocytes.
• Characterisation of VIP/PACAP receptors on immune cells such as lymphocytes, macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes.
• Identification of the immunomodulatory role of VIP in innate and acquired immunity.
• Demonstration of the therapeutic potential of VIP in animal models, including its ability to reverse endotoxic shock and its protective role in rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease and autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice.
• Validation of the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of VIP in samples from patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Study of the protective effects of VIP in osteoarthritis.
• Proposal of the VIP/receptor axis as a biomarker for personalised treatments in rheumatic diseases.

In addition to her impact on research, Dr Gomariz has played a key role in the training of new generations of scientists, supervising undergraduate, master and doctoral theses. Her commitment to teaching and collaboration with national and international research groups has contributed significantly to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

Rosa with Said and Arimura, who discovered VIP and PACAP respectively.