HomeInstituteProfessionals

Professionals

Institute

At the Matia Gerontological Institute, we work with professionals from all areas related to gerontology, collaborating in the development of our unique management model, which is the distinguishing feature of the Matia Foundation..

A team of professionals with proven experience and the aim of providing the best medical and human care for both patients and families.

Together we are Matia.

Elena del Barrio
Co-director - Researcher

Degree in Sociology (UCM, 1998-2002) and Master in Social Gerontology (UAM, 2003-2004). Postgraduate fellow at UAM (2004-2005). Predoctoral fellow at the CSIC (2005-2008). In 2008 she worked as Technician in the “Elderly Portal” (IMSERSO-CSIC). From June 2008, she has been working at...

  elena.barrio@matia.eus
Erkuden Aldaz
Co-director - Researcher

Diploma in Social Work from the Public University of Navarra (2004) and a degree in Psychology from the University of the Basque Country (2009). She has completed a Master's degree in "Psychology: Individual, group, organisation and culture" at the latter university (2011). Her...

  erkuden.aldaz@matia.eus
Mayte Sancho
Expert in gerontological planning

Psychologist from the Complutense University of Madrid and Master in Social Gerontology from the Autonomous University of Madrid. Civil servant of the IMSERSO (1978-2008) and since 1999 responsible for the Observatory of Aging and Dependency of the Ministry of Labor and Social...

  mtsanchocas@gmail.com
Researcher

Degree in Psychology from the Public University of the Basque Country in 2013, Official Master's Degree in Psychogerontology from the University of Barcelona in 2015 and other specialised training in Emotional Intelligence (2015), Systemic Therapy (2017-2018), Bereavement...

  nerea.almazan@matia.eus
Ainara Tomasena
Researcher

Ainara Tomasena earned a degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Zaragoza in 2002. In 2003 she earned her Masters in Social Gerontology. She has worked as an occupational therapist in gerontology centres, Osakidetza and the Department of Education of the Basque...

  ainara.tomasena@matia.eus
Fotografía de Pura Diaz-Veiga
Knowledge Dissemination Advisor

Pura Diaz Veiga earned a licentiate in Psychology from the Autonomous University of Madrid in 1979. In 1985, she earned the Degree and in 2004, the Diploma of Advanced Studies. She has participated in several Research projects related to gerontology and disability. She has taught...

  pura.diaz-veiga@matiafundazioa.eus
Fotografía de Heitor Lantarón
Architectural Design and researcher

Specialist in Aging, Ph.D. Architect from the Technical School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM) of the Polytechnic University (UPM), with a Ph.D. Thesis on Housing Models for the Elderly. He is currently Head of Architectural Design at Matia Institute and is located between San...

  heitor.lantaron@matia.eus
Researcher

PhD in Health Psychology from th Autonomous University of Madrid, with the doctoral thesis "Evaluation and conceptualization of cognitive functioning in advanced Alzheimer's disease", Master in Gerontology from the University of the Basque Country, Master in Clinical Neuropsychology...

  cristina.buiza@matia.eus
Miren Iturburu
Researcher

Graduated in Chemistry from the University of the Basque Country in 1989, in 2007 she turned her career to the field of ageing. Specialist in Psychosocial Intervention in Gerontology (course given by Matia Institute and Lahar Elkargoa in 2009) and Master in Ageing from the University...

  miren.iturburu@matia.eus
Sara Marsillas
Researcher

PhD in Psychology from the University of Santiago de Compostela in 2016, Master's Degree in Gerontology (2022) and Master's Degree in Organisational Psychology, Forensic Law and Social Intervention (2012). Award for Best Young Researcher in the area of social and behavioural sciences...

  sara.marsillas@matia.eus
Director of Home and Community Care

Diploma in Social Work from the University of the Basque Country in 1997 and Degree in Social Work from the UNED in 2017 Specialisation in gerontology and psychogeriatrics (Matia Fundazioa 2001). University specialist in direction and management of gerontological and socio-health...

  maider.azurmendi@matia.eus
Álvaro García
Researcher

Doctorate in Psychology from the Autonomous University of Madrid (2013), Master's in Behaviour Therapy from the Therapeutic Institute in Madrid in 2006, he has worked as a researcher at the Autonomous University of Madrid and as a collaborator on projects with the King Juan Carlos...

  alvaro.garcia@matia.eus
Penélope Castejón
Researcher

Degree in Sociology from the Complutense University of Madrid (2004), Specialist in Applied Social Research and Data Analysis from the CIS (2006) and Expert in Management and Planning of Gerontological Resources from the Complutense University of Madrid (2005). Professionally...

  penelope.castejon@matia.eus
Researcher

Nerea Galdona has her doctorate in Psychology from the University of the Basque Country (2011). Licentiate in Psychology, Master's in Psychosocial Intervention in Psychosocial Gerontology (2002) and Master's in Social Technology from the University of the Basque Country (2006). His...

  nerea.galdona@matia.eus
Administrative assistant

Mertxe Sánchez earned a degree as a Specialist in Business and Tourist Activities from the School of Tourism of San Sebastián (University of Deusto) in 1991. In 1996, she earned the degree of Secretariat of Business from Nazaret Zentroa. Throughout her career, she has worked in...

  mertxe.sanchez@matia.eus
Person-Centred Care Expert

  PhD in Health Sciences from the University of Oviedo. Degree in Psychology from the Complutense University of Madrid. Diploma in Social Gerontology from the Spanish Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Author of the ACP-GERONTOLOGY MODEL, designed to guide the...

  http://www.acpgerontologia.com/contacto.htm
Researcher

Researcher at Matia Institute. Psychologist (Universidad País Vasco, 1999). Specialist in Management and Direction of Social and Health Resources (UCM ,2000). Specialist in Psychosocial Intervention in Gerontology (Matia Fundazioa, 2003). Master in General Health Psychology (at...

  nerea.etxaniz@matia.eus
Trainer

Degree in Psychology from the University of the Basque Country (2008). She has been working for the Matia Foundation for 12 years as a psychologist and instructor, as well as implementing ACP in different residential centers. Currently she is also involved in training projects.....

  virginia.olivan@matia.eus
Social worker

Degree in Social Work from the University of Deusto in 2017 and course on "Active Ageing, Quality of Life and Gender" of the ENCAGE initiative in 2019. She has worked as a Social Worker in various gerontological centres of Matia, in the IZA Centre and in Bermingham Hospital. She...

  kira.rojas@matia.eus
Fotografía de Iraide Robles
Social Worker - Case Manager

Graduated in Social Work from the University of Deusto in 2019, she has developed her professional practice as a Social Worker in the Matia Orienta and Matia Etxean services, as well as in various centres: Elizaran, Bermingham and Lamourous. She is currently working as a Social...

  iraide.robles@matia.eus
Fotografía de Andrea Pozo
Researcher

Graduated in Political Science and Public Management at the Public University of the Basque Country in 2019 and Master in Feminist and Gender Studies at the Public University of the Basque Country in 2020. She currently works at Matia Instituto as a researcher mainly in the Como en...

  andrea.pozo@matia.eus
Fotografía de Leire Hernández
Director of Domiciliary Care

Graduate in Social Work (UPV 2011), with a Certificate of Professionalism in Social and Health Care for People in Social Institutions and training in team management, leadership and communication and ACP. She has developed her professional practice working as a direct care...

  leire.hernandez@matia.eus
Researcher and Professor at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid

D. in Sociology and associate professor of the Department of Sociology V of the UCM. Specialized in qualitative research and ethnographic documentary. Author and co-author of several publications and documentary videos, his lines of work revolve around issues related to care,...

Fotografía de Iraia
Trainer

Degree in Psychology from the Public University of the Basque Country (2008). Collaboration grant from the Basque Government (2008). Specialist in Psychosocial Intervention at Matia Fundazioa (2009). Master's Degree in Clinical Neuropsychology from the Autonomous University of...

  iraia.aguirregabiria@matia.eus
Researcher

Graduate in Applied Sociology by UPNA (2016), Postgraduate in Processes and Participatory Methodologies by the Latin American Council of Social Sciences, (2021) Expert in Qualitative Methodologies and Development of Agile Methodologies of innovation and Gamification, Research, Action...

  juan.albarran@matia.eus
Fotografía de Gloria Domínguez
Researcher

Degree in Sociology from the Complutense University of Madrid (2010) and Master in Research Methodology in Social Sciences (UCM, 2013). She has worked as a researcher and teacher trainee at UCM, carrying out research stays at University College London and Utrecht University. She has...

  gloria.dominguez@matia.eus
Fotografía de Enrike Etxeberria
Responsible for Architectural Design and Environments

In 2000 he began his professional life as a collaborator in ZMZ ARQUITECTOS and for five years his main work was in the drafting of projects and residential tenders for the elderly. In 2004 he founded SCALA/* STUDIO DE ARQUITECTURA S.L, a company specialising in design, decoration...

  enrique.echeverria@matia.eus
Fotografía de María Muñoz
Director of Residential

With a degree in Psychology and specialising in education, while studying Psychopedagogy she approached the field of adults with intellectual disabilities out of curiosity. María has worked in direct care as head of several day centres (Garagune), and later, in the Technical...

  maria.munoz@matia.eus
Trainer

Graduated in Psychology from the University of the Basque Country (UPV-EHU) in 2016, Interuniversity Master in Psychogerontology from the University of Salamanca (USAL) in 2017. She has worked as a psychologist and psychosocial intervention monitor in gerontological centers. She is...

  itziar.gurrutxaga@matia.eus
Researcher

Laura Fernández is a Sociocultural Anthropologist and works as a social researcher at the Institute. Professionally linked to the world of functional diversity since 2002, she has developed her activity mainly within the Third Sector, managing projects related to the areas of...

  laura.fernandez.cordero@matia.eus
Fotografía de Carlota Arroyo
Administrative

Senior technician in administration and finance (Cebanc 2011-2013). From 2013 to 2017 she worked for the Ministry of the Interior, performing administrative management and translation functions. During 2018 she worked at Cebanc as a receptionist-administrative assistant at the school...

  carlota.arroyo@matia.eus
Fotografía de Paula García
Researcher

Sociocultural Anthropologist, she completed a Master's Degree in Physical Anthropology: Human Evolution and Biodiversity and a Master's Degree in Community Social Work: Management and Evaluation of Social Services. She carried out all her studies at the UCM. Director of Social...

  paula.garcia@matia.eus
Fotografía de Feliciano Villar
Expert in Psychogerontology

PhD in Psychology from the University of Barcelona Professor of Developmental Psychology in the Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology at the University of Barcelona. Director of the Official Interuniversity Master's Degree in Psychogerontology. One of...

Researcher responsible for architectural design

PhD in Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (2023), with the doctoral thesis with international mention "The city for people with dementia: methodology to integrate design and quality of life in European cities", Master's degree in "Sustainable Cities" (IFU-Paris,...

  elisa.pozo@matia.eus
Researcher

International PhD in sociology, specialized in collaborative systems, IAP and Lean methodologies, sociology of emotions and feminist gerontology. Co-author of the book "Arquitecturas del cuidado: hacia un envejecimiento activista" and author of the thesis "Estrategias colectivas de...

  irati.mogollon@matia.eus
Matia Eskola

  maria.francesca@matia.eus
Expert in Epidemiology

María Victoria Zunzunegui holds a PhD in epidemiology from the University of California at Berkeley. She was professor of epidemiology at the School of Public Health at the University of Montreal where she worked from 1999 to 2016. She remains an honorary professor at this...

  maria.victoria.zunzunegui@umontreal.ca
Researcher

Graduate in Psychology from the University of the Basque Country (2013), Master in Psychogerontology from the Complutense University of Madrid (2015), Master in General Health Psychology from UDIMA (2019). Linked to neuropsychology, she has worked in the treatment and prevention of...

  elisa.berrios@matia.eus
Fotografía de Amaia Olano
Researcher

Graduated in Psychology from the Public University of the Basque Country in 2019 and Master's Degree in General Health Psychology from the Public University of the Basque Country in 2022. She has supported the services of Matia Etxean and Matia Orienta, as well as the Etxean Bizi...

  amaia.olano@matia.eus
Fotografía de Verónica Lozada
Researcher

Master's Degree in Organisational Governance and Culture at the University of Navarra (2023) and Master's Degree in Strategic Communication in Organisations at the University of Piura (2023). Diploma in Bases of Humanistic Psychology, Project Management and Theology. Economist with...

  veronica.lozada@matia.eus