Obituary

Manuel A. de Pablo Martinez was born in Jaén (Spain) in 1967. He obtained his first University degree in 1991 at the University of Granada (Spain), and his Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Jaen in 1995 where he received a special doctorate award with his thesis, “The effect of an olive oil rich diet on the immune system”. His work became the origin of new research at the University of Jaen. Dr. de Pablo was assistant Professor of Microbiology from 1995 to 2000, and Lecturer in the Faculty of Experimental Sciences, Department of Microbiology from 2000 until his death. In 1998 he was visiting Professor at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS, Villejuif, Paris, France), working with Dr. Guido Kroemer researching the role that mitochondria play in the molecular mechanism of apoptosis. Dr. de Pablo published more than forty articles in international scientific journals. His main research field was focused on the role of dietary lipids on the immune system and resistance to infection. Other research areas in his scientific career were the role of peptides and natural antioxidants on apoptosis mechanisms, and the action of lactic acid bacteria on immune system and resistance to infection. Manuel was co-author of several books and book chapters, and took part in numerous scientific conferences related to Nutrition, Immunology and Microbiology. He was a reviewer for several international journals in Microbiology, Immunology and Nutrition and was Associate Editor of Nutritional Therapy and Metabolism (Official Journal of the Italian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition)....