Clara Penas' objective is the establishment of an epigenetic research in the CNS trauma field, to enhance functional recovery and reduce neuropathic pain. Epigenetic mechanism are alterations that produce changes in gene expression that occur without alteration in DNA sequence. These mechanisms are capable to sustain long-lasting effects on gene activity in response to environmental stimuli. Epigenetics is a burgeoning field in neuroscience but it has been concentrated in a few areas such as brain cancer, neurogenesis and psychiatric disorders. Thus, this is a novel and important area that remains to be investigated, which links the collaboration of different fields of research.