Juan Fuentes, BSC (Fundamental Biology, 1989) PhD (Marina Biology and Aquaculture, 1994), a senior research scientist since 2003, has brought an independent vision and research program to his role. In January 2024, he joined ICMAN, CSIC, as a permanent scientist (Cientifico Titular). His research has consistently centered around fish physiology and aquaculture, evolving from ionic adaptation and water regulation to a focus on calcium physiology and endocrinology. Currently, his primary research interest lies in understanding the interaction between the fish intestine and diets of different compositions and how intestinal physiology may influence overall body physiology. Throughout his senior career, Juan has utilized a diverse toolbox, including advanced techniques such as reverse genetics, transcriptomics, qPCR, whole-body physiology, and epithelial electrophysiology. The latter, a cutting-edge method, will be introduced at ICMAN upon Juan's arrival. As a Principal Investigator (PI), Juan has sponsored 6 Postdocs, supervised 7 Ph.D. students (with 3 ongoing), mentored 10 MSc students, guided 7 research assistants, overseen 12 Erasmus Mobility Students, and supervised several (>25) undergraduate students. Funding for their work was secured through competitive calls, with Juan obtaining support from 13 national and international projects. Juan's scholarly contributions include over 100 original research papers, 8 book chapters, and participation in national and international conferences. He has delivered over 80 poster or oral presentations and 3 state-of-the-art presentations at significant conferences such as the 8th International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology (Gothenburg, Sweden, 2016), the North American Society of Comparative Endocrinology (Ottawa, June 2015), and the International Congress on Biology of Fish (June 2016, S. Marcos, Texas, USA). In addition to his research endeavors, Juan has served as a reviewer for numerous high-impact journals (>30 papers/year) and held editorial roles in PLoS One (2011-2021), Scientific Reports (2022-2023), and Frontiers in Physiology (2021-). He also contributes as a project reviewer for NSF (USA), NERC (UK), and IFREMER (France). Juan has actively contributed to the organization of scientific sessions and meetings, including sessions at the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting (SEB Brighton, 2016), the 8th International Symposium on Fish Endocrinology (Gothenburg, Sweden, 2016), and the Society for Experimental Biology Annual Main Meeting (Barcelona, Spain, July 2005), 5th Conference of the Iberian Association of Comparative Endocrinology (Faro, Portugal 2005) 20th Conference of European Comparative Endocrinologists. (Faro, Portugal, 2000). Beyond his research and conference contributions, Juan has played vital roles in R&D organization. These include serving as a member (vocal) of the Asociacion Iberica de Endocrinologia Comparada (1998-2003), leading the Animal Models work package (CCMar, University of Algarve, 2017-2023), chairing a committee for the implementation of ethical commission and intramural regulations for the use of laboratory animals for research (CCMar, University of Algarve, 2012), heading a committee for complete licensing of radioactivity labs (CCMar, University of Algarve, 2010), and coordinating (elected) the Biotechnology and Aquaculture Division (CCMar, University of Algarve, 2005-2009). He was also a member of the executive managing committee of the Ramalhete Marine Station (University of Algarve, Portugal, 2001-2005).