I was born in the 80's in a city on the coast of Alicante, called Benidorm, a place that does not leave indifferent those who know it. On the one hand, there are those who hate it for its tall buildings and the overexploitation that has taken place in recent decades. On the other hand, there are those who love it, for being the vacation spot par excellence for many people.  I can understand both positions. As far as I know from my grandparents, Benidorm was the paradise on earth before the massive construction of skyscrapers, hotels, etc... As a child I remember very well that I witnessed from the balcony of my grandmother's house how a pine forest that stretched to the horizon disappeared in flames. Shortly afterwards they built a huge thematic park in the remaining dry land. I hate that too. But Benidorm is a beautiful place to me and most of the people who live there take care of it and love it. If you know it well, as I do, you know that it has its corners, its advantages, and you learn to take it easy for the fact that there are tourists everywhere all the time.

So I grew up in Benidorm and I think it is a good place to learn, there are always lots of people and few natives. That means you can go unnoticed by most people, but you always know someone who can help you if you need it. When you are a kid or a teenager, that gives you a lot of freedom and security at the same time. Also, for better or for worse, Benidorm is a city where there is everything and you can get everywhere on foot, without depending on anything or anyone. I lived there, went to school and high school, until I was 16 years old when I started working in my parents' family business, I also studied vocational training and worked in vehicle mechanics. At the age of 21-22, after the great financial crisis of 2008 I went to work in Nothingam, in the UK. It was like an Erasmus experience is for students, but in my case cleaning toilets and handing out leaflets on the street instead of studying for a degree. It was an eye-opening experience in many ways.

During my stay in Nothingam, I was able to think a lot, find my ideas and discover a new perspective on how to see the world and live it, and I discovered the power of science when I read The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. When I came back to Benidorm, a year after I left, I started studying like crazy while I was still working, this time driving a truck, to get into university and study biotechnology. When I managed to enroll to do the biotechnology degree in Valencia, at the age of 24, I moved there and lived very happily while studying, thanks to the support of my parents and the money I had made during my years of work. From then on I was hooked to the study of biology and the rest of my biographical path has been very biased by it. 

Finally, I would like to stress how important it was for me to leave my comfort zone, Benidorm, and go to the unknown, Nothingam (don't ask me how I ended up there). The truth is that most people did not understand why I left, nor did I know why, I was very young and I did not need reasons. I had confidence in myself, the second day I arrived I was already working and I could afford to support myself (I lived in a hostel for several months). I think I went out to find myself, and even though I didn't, I came back knowing who I am not. Getting out of your comfort zone is very enriching, you learn a lot, you see yourself in situations you had not considered before, and you can do what you want because you are alone, no one judges you, but you have to maintain yourself because you are alone, it opens your mind. I don't keep almost no pictures of that year, but it marked my personality and my future. I didn't make tourism, but I had a great time, I didn't meet anyone with whom I still have a relationship, but I ended up getting to know myself better.