T lymphocytes play a fundamental role promoting chronic inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) as well as Parkinson's disease. Furthermore, an increasing number of studies have shown that chronic intestinal inflammation exists prior to the development of neuroinflammation in Parkinson's. Rodrigo Pacheco's research aims to decipher the mechanisms by which T cell responses involved in Parkinson's are generated in the intestinal mucosa, and how these cells subsequently promote the death of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra

Rodrigo Pacheco studied Biochemistry and later conducted a PhD in Immunology. Since 2009 Rodrigo has been a researcher at the Fundación Ciencia & Vida and since 2019 a researcher at the Unversidad San Sebastián, where he leads the Laboratory of Neuroimmunology. His research attempts to decipher the molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate the behavior of T lymphocytes in the development of autoimmunity and neurodegenerative pathologies. He has published more than 60 articles in ISI journals, holds three patents, has awarded funding as Principal Investigator for six national (ANID) projects, and five from international sources, including Ferring Pharmaceuticals and the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research

With regard to the formation of advanced human capital, Rodrigo Pacheco has directed the projects of 9 postdoctoral trainees, 11 doctoral theses, 5 master's theses, 6 undergraduate theses and 21 research units. Currently at the Universidad San Sebastián (USS), Rodrigo Pacheco teaches Immunology and Biomedicine for students of three PhD programs, directs the doctoral theses of three USS students and tutors the experimental work of the research units of two undergraduate students