Research
Attention, Emotion, Anxiety disorders, Emotional intelligence
PhD in Experimental Psychology (University of Granada, UGR) · General Health Psychologist · Master’s Degree in Legal and Forensic Psychology · Official Master’s Degree in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience (UGR) · Specialist Certificate in Applied Clinical Psychology · Specialist in Attention to Diversity · Specialist in Anxiety Disorders
My heart was split between two passions long before I graduated: research and clinical practice. Back in 2004, I began my research work at the University of Granada while completing my degree and undertaking a Specialist Certificate in Applied Clinical Psychology. After an internal “research vs. clinical” debate, I chose to invest fully in research. I firmly believe that we cannot truly help others without deep preparation—and that means far more than completing a single master’s degree. My drive to understand the brain and emotions—nurtured by two outstanding mentors who believed in me wholeheartedly as a researcher—led me to devote myself to this field for many years.
In 2010, I defended my International PhD in Experimental Psychology and Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Granada. Along the way, I completed multiple postgraduate programmes, including master’s degrees in Cognitive and Behavioural Neuroscience and in Legal and Forensic Psychology, as well as specialist training in Applied Clinical Psychology and Personality Disorders. I have taught at several universities and carried out research stays at national and international institutions, always seeking to learn from the very best. As a result of this dedication, I published numerous peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, presented my work at 32 conferences (across the United States, Germany, Portugal, Ireland, France, Spain, and more), and had the great honour of receiving the University of Granada’s Excellence in Research Award.
In February 2017, I decided to take a brief pause from academia and commit wholeheartedly to my other great passion: clinical practice. I resigned from my Juan de la Cierva research contract and founded the Pacheco Unguetti Psychology Centre. For seven years, I provided psychological care to children, adolescents, and adults, completed a wide range of forensic psychological reports, and—most importantly—learned through helping.
In 2023, I returned to the University of Granada to bring my research and clinical experience together. Today, I teach at UGR and work at the Mind, Brain and Behaviour Research Centre (CIMCYC), continuing to integrate science and practice to better understand—and support—emotional well-being.
Coming back has not been easy: it has meant rebuilding from the ground up, balancing many hours of teaching, and closing a period of lower publication output. But I remain fully committed—because this is what I love—and I truly believe that, with persistence, research and clinical practice can meet in one meaningful path.
