The Mass General Research Institute (MGRI) is home to a research community of 9,500+ individuals working to understand disease and develop solutions to medicine’s most pressing challenges.

But who are they and what do they do when they’re not conducting research? Learn more about them in this new series, #HumansOfMGRI.

From clinical research coordinators to postdoctoral fellows, research technicians, graduate students and principal investigators—they are all part of the Mass General Research Institute.

Our next guest in the series is Alba Miranda-Ribera, PhD.

What lab/department do you work in?

I am an instructor at the Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center (MIBRC) in the pediatrics department.

My research is focused on the gut-brain axis, trying to figure out the microbiome-immunology-increased permeability triad, and how it affects brain function and development.

When and why did you get interested in the work that you are doing?

I did my PhD between Italy and Baltimore, MD, which was focused on lung inflammation and its effects on tight junctions and wound healing.

I came to Mass General to work with Dr. Fasano on intestinal tight junctions and their role in celiac disease. At the same time I was also working with Dr. Fiorentino on her gut-brain axis project, and I quickly became captivated by it.

The concept that our gut affects our brain function, bring the saying “we are what we eat” to a whole new level. I find it incredibly fascinating.

What do you like to do outside of work? 

Pre-pandemic times I am/was an avid Argentine tango dancer. For the record it is social dancing, nothing like “dancing with the stars,” so forget the rose in the mouth! 😉

Argentine tango is a very social activity that has allowed me to have friends all over the world, while keeping my mind and body in shape (plenty of research on it too!).

Since COVID hit I have been taking advantage of the fact that I live right next to the Middlesex Reservoir, and have been mountain biking quite a lot. I also enjoy knitting and crocheting, mainly scarfs and dolls but venturing into socks these days… wish me luck!

What is your favorite TV show, podcast, book, or movie? 

Too many to mention!

Big Bang Theory always makes me laugh, but I listen to lots of podcasts in Spanish or Catalan as well. I highly recommend “Todopoderosos” lots of nerdy trivia info wrapped up with a good dose of humor.

As for books, I am again going for a Spanish recommendation the “Reina Roja” trilogy by Juan Gomez-Jurado, thriller and suspense, a total page turner.

A fun fact about yourself

During college I was super into skydiving, I have never in my life lived more than 5 years in the same house, I speak 5 languages and I love talking and meeting people!

Any pets?

No current pets, in college I had an orange fish named Torricelli. Currently I am very proud of my 3 plants, I have a terribly black thumb but I am slowly learning. 🙂

About the Mass General Research Institute
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital is interwoven through more than 30 different departments, centers and institutes. Our research includes fundamental, lab-based science; clinical trials to test new drugs, devices and diagnostic tools; and community and population-based research to improve health outcomes across populations and eliminate disparities in care.
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