CRISTINA AVENDAÑO. Cristina Avendaño was born in Barcelona and graduated in Medicine and Medical Surgery from the Autónoma University of Barcelona (1985). She has been resident doctor at the Marqués de Valdecilla Hospital of Santander (1986-1990) and specialist doctor in Clinical Pharmacology (1990). Since 1995 she has been assistant doctor of the Clinical Pharmacology Service of the Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, and since 2000, head of such Service and of the Pharmacological Research Unit of the same hospital. Since 1995 she has been an expert of the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), where she was a member from 1999-2000 of the Committee of Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP). She is a member of the Efficacy Working Party (EWP) and of the Cell-Based Products Working Party (CPWP). From 1999 to 2000 she formed part of the management team responsible for the creation of the Spanish Medicinal Products and Medicinal Devices Agency. Among other activities, she has also given classes.