Dr. Isabel Martinez-Peña y Valenzuela: Assistant Professor at Midwestern University, United States
Dr. Isabel Martinez-Peña y Valenzuela is an accomplished neuroscientist with extensive expertise in the molecular and cellular biology of synapses, particularly at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Physiology Department at Midwestern University’s College of Graduate Studies and College of Dental Medicine. Her career spans over two decades, including significant contributions at institutions such as the University of Michigan and University of La Laguna, Spain. She is widely recognized for her mentorship of students, impactful research on synaptic pathology in metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, and dedication to both teaching and academic service.
Online Profiles
As of July 2025, Dr. Martinez-Peña y Valenzuela has accumulated 673 citations overall, with 285 citations since 2020. Her h-index is 16 (10 since 2020), and her i10-index is 19 (11 since 2020), reflecting both the quality and continued relevance of her contributions to the field of neuroscience and neuromuscular biology.
Dr. Martinez-Peña maintains active academic profiles showcasing her publications and collaborations. Her Google Scholar profile reflects a robust citation record in synaptic biology and neuroscience, while her NCBI MyBibliography includes a comprehensive list of peer-reviewed journal articles, conference proceedings, and reviews. These profiles highlight her long-standing research productivity and the translational impact of her studies in neuromuscular function and dysfunction.
Education
She earned her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of La Laguna (ULL), Spain, with a thesis titled “Alterations of the cerebrospinal fluid proteins and subcommissural organ secretion in arterial hypertension and ventricular dilatation: A study in SHR rats.” Her doctoral research laid the foundation for her lifelong interest in cerebrospinal physiology and brain-body communication. Dr. Martinez-Peña also holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology from ULL’s Faculty of Biology, equipping her with interdisciplinary training in physiology, pathology, and molecular medicine.
Research Focus
Her research program explores the structure and function of the neuromuscular synapse under both physiological and pathological conditions. Using transgenic mouse models and in vivo imaging, her lab investigates how obesity, Parkinson’s disease, cancer-induced cachexia, and sleep apnea contribute to synaptic disassembly, impaired neurotransmission, and muscle dysfunction. Dr. Martinez-Peña also studies the role of specific proteins such as acetylcholinesterase, α-dystrobrevin, and α-syntrophin in maintaining synaptic integrity, with the ultimate goal of identifying therapeutic targets for neuromuscular disorders.
Experience
Dr. Martinez-Peña has held a range of academic and research positions in Spain and the United States. She began as an Anatomy Instructor at ULL (1998–2002), followed by postdoctoral training in gastrointestinal and developmental neuroscience at the University of Michigan (2003–2008). From 2009 to 2020, she was a Research Investigator at Michigan’s Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, where she led independent and collaborative studies on synaptic biology. She later served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Kalamazoo College (2020–2022), where she taught physiology and mentored undergraduate research. Since 2022, she has been a full-time faculty member at Midwestern University.
Research Timeline
Dr. Martinez-Peña’s research journey began in Spain with studies on the cerebrospinal system and neuroendocrine regulation. In the early 2000s, she transitioned to the University of Michigan, conducting postdoctoral work on neuromuscular physiology. By 2009, she had established herself as an independent investigator, contributing extensively to the fields of synaptic maintenance and neurodegeneration.
Awards & Honors
She has received multiple recognitions for her academic excellence and research mentorship, including the Doctorate Summa Cum Laude from the University of La Laguna and the Cajal Club Fellowship in Madrid (2001). She was honored with the Most Valuable Professor award by Kalamazoo College’s intercollegiate athletics program in 2022 and was selected as a finalist in the 2024 American Medical Association Research Challenge. Additionally, her students have won regional research presentation awards, highlighting her impact as both a scientist and mentor.
Top-Noted Publication
One of Dr. Martinez-Peña’s most influential publications is her 2022 study in Human Molecular Genetics, titled “Distinct roles of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex: α-dystrobrevin and α-syntrophin in the maintenance of the postsynaptic apparatus of the neuromuscular synapse.” This paper elucidates the molecular mechanisms regulating NMJ stability and offers insights into therapeutic strategies for neuromuscular disorders. It has been widely cited and reflects her leading role in bridging basic and translational neuroscience.
DOI: 10.1093/HMG/ddac041
Dr. Martinez-Peña y Valenzuela’s most impactful research has significantly advanced understanding of the neuromuscular junction, with several landmark studies cited widely in the field of neuroscience and molecular biology:
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Schmidt N, Akaaboune M, Gajendran N, Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela I, et al. (2011).
“Neuregulin/ErbB regulate neuromuscular junction development by phosphorylation of α-dystrobrevin.”
Journal of Cell Biology, 195(7):1171–1184.
This foundational paper, cited 122 times, describes the molecular signaling mechanisms involving Neuregulin/ErbB and α-dystrobrevin in NMJ development.
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Herranz-Martin S, Chandran J, Lewis K, Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela I, et al. (2017).
“Viral delivery of C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions in mice leads to repeat-length-dependent neuropathology and behavioural deficits.”
Disease Models & Mechanisms, 10(7):859–868.
Cited 59 times, this study provides insights into C9orf72-mediated ALS and FTD pathology using a mouse model.
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Krejci E, Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela I, Ameziane R, Akaaboune M. (2006).
“Acetylcholinesterase dynamics at the neuromuscular junction of live animals.”
Journal of Biological Chemistry, 281(15):10347–10354.
This work, cited 46 times, explores real-time regulation of AChE at the NMJ, contributing to understanding of synaptic maintenance.
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Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela I, Pires-Oliveira M, Akaaboune M. (2013).
“PKC and PKA regulate AChR dynamics at the neuromuscular junction of living mice.”
PLoS ONE, 8(11):e81311.
Cited 44 times, this study reveals how key kinases modulate receptor turnover and synaptic plasticity in vivo.
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Martinez-Pena y Valenzuela I, Mouslim C, Akaaboune M. (2010).
“Calcium/calmodulin kinase II-dependent acetylcholine receptor cycling at the mammalian neuromuscular junction in vivo.”
Journal of Neuroscience, 30(37):12455–12465.
Also cited 44 times, this article details the role of CaMKII in receptor recycling, providing mechanistic insights into NMJ regulation.
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