Education and Academic Background

Dr. Miguel Ángel Zapata holds a degree in Medicine from the Autonomous University of Barcelona since 2001. He later specialized in Ophthalmology in 2006 and obtained his Doctorate with cum laude honors the following year. Throughout his career, he has made significant scientific contributions, publishing up to 42 articles in specialized journals. Among them, the article “Retinal microvascular anomalies in patients after COVID-19 depending on disease severity,” published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology in 2020, stands out.

Research Experience

In the field of basic and translational research, Dr. Zapata has played a key role within the ophthalmology research group. He has generated ideas that have contributed to a better understanding of pathology and the development of new treatments. Additionally, he is the author of 2 books and 21 chapters, and has collaborated on multiple clinical practice guidelines promoted by the Ministry of Health and the Spanish network of evaluation agencies. Notably, he participated in five guidelines from the Spanish Society of Retina and Vitreous, with a special interest in new technologies; for example, the monograph on “Artificial Intelligence in the Retina” published in 2020.

Project Participation and Recognitions

He has participated in 21 research projects, mainly focused on generating ideas for new laboratory models, investigations to improve understanding of retinal diseases, and new therapies applicable in clinical practice. He has been a research member of the RETICS RD12/0034, RD16/0008, and AGAUR networks. He was awarded the prize for best communication at the Spanish Society of Retina and Vitreous congress in 2014.

Clinical and Teaching Activity

His clinical work focuses mainly on medical and surgical retina, with special emphasis on age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

Regarding teaching, he has been affiliated with the Autonomous University of Barcelona as a clinical associate professor since 2006. He has directed and co-directed 8 doctoral theses. Currently, he is the Head of the Ophthalmology Department and coordinates the ophthalmology clinical trials unit at the Vall d’Hebron Hospital in Barcelona.