JAVIER ALFONSO CENDÓN
I am Javier Alfonso Cendón, a proud father of Jorge and Mateo, Associate Professor in the Engineering Projects Department at the University of León, General Secretary of the PSOE of León, and Member of the Spanish Parliament (Congress of Deputies). On this page, I invite you to discover my work and the ideals that drive me to tirelessly strive for a fairer, more inclusive, and prosperous society, where everyone can thrive and live with dignity. This space is also a platform for us to connect, share ideas, and work together for the future of León and our country. The best is yet to come!
BIOGRAPHY
I was born in León on October 21, 1983, though my family roots trace back to El Bierzo. My father, Felipe, is from Lillo del Bierzo, and my mother, Encina, was from San Román de Bembibre—two places I hold dearly in my heart. I studied at Lope de Vega Public School and Juan del Enzina High School in León, where I forged lifelong friendships that remain fundamental to my life.
During those years, I discovered sports through the municipal sports programs of the León City Council. I tried several disciplines before finding my true passion in athletics, a sport I still practice. That phase of my life not only encouraged me to stay active but also instilled in me the values of effort and perseverance—principles I apply in all areas of my life.
Regarding my higher education, I earned a degree in Computer Engineering from the University of León and had the opportunity to complete my final year and thesis at Central Connecticut State University (United States of America). That experience exposed me to a different university system, enriched my knowledge, and allowed me to perfect my English. In 2009, I obtained a PhD in Engineering.
Later, I expanded my education with a degree in Marketing and three master’s degrees: an eMBA from the Technical University of Madrid, a Master’s in Renewable Energies, and another in Cybersecurity, both from the University of León. In 2010, I was awarded a Torres Quevedo contract for the development of R&D&I projects at INTECO, now known as INCIBE.
My youth was shaped by a strong sense of social commitment, actively participating in youth organizations and taking on various responsibilities within AEGEE, the youth department of UGT, and the European Trade Union Confederation Youth.
Currently, I serve as General Secretary of the PSOE of León and Member of the Spanish Parliament (Congress of Deputies). Alongside my political vocation, I am deeply passionate about teaching and research.
I share my life with Laura, my partner and greatest support. Together, we strive to provide our children, Jorge and Mateo, with a stable and enriching environment where they can grow up happy, curious, and resilient.
TEACHING AND RESEARCH
I am an Associate Professor specializing in the Engineering Projects area, part of the Department of Mechanical, Computer, and Aerospace Engineering at the University of León.
Throughout my research career, I have led the BIOMAM research group (Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, and Data Mining), focusing my work primarily on bioinformatics and data mining. I have published numerous articles in indexed scientific journals and presented at national and international conferences. Additionally, I have been involved in several national and European projects, serving as Principal Investigator on many of them, including the European ASASEC project (Advisory System Against Sexual Exploitation of Children) at the University of León.
In the teaching field, I have more than 10 years of experience delivering courses in engineering programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently, I am supervising two doctoral theses. I also led a Teaching Innovation Group within the European Higher Education Area, an initiative focused on strengthening students’ project management skills. My teaching activities have been enriched by participation in international programs, delivering lectures at the University of Minho (Portugal) and Xiangtan University (China), and collaborating on demanding academic projects. I have also organized and led university extension courses and teacher training programs.
In the academic sphere, I have held various roles at the University of León, including Secretary of the Department of Mechanical, Computer, and Aerospace Engineering, coordinator of one semester of the Computer Engineering Degree, and Secretary of the Academic Committee for the Master’s in Industrial Engineering.
POLITICS
Freedom, equality, solidarity, and social justice—the fundamental principles of socialist ideals—have been present in my family for generations. As the fourth generation of socialists, I have witnessed the cost of commitment firsthand: my great-grandfather was executed for his ideals.
From my mother, Encina Cendón, founder and president of the Association for the Study of Repression in León (AERLE), I learned the importance of restoring the dignity of those who suffered injustices during the Francoist repression. In 2015, I was honored to take on the presidency of AERLE. From my father, I inherited the values of honest work, commitment to others, and the transformative power of politics to make our society fairer.
From an early age, I felt a deep political commitment that led me to take on responsibilities as a class delegate in many courses and as a student representative on my school’s governing council. The leadership of President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has always been a significant reference point for me, profoundly shaping my political journey. His example and dedication to socialist values have been a constant source of inspiration for my work within the PSOE.
I have been a member of the PSOE since 2008, though I have always participated in and collaborated with the party. Between 2012 and 2016, I was part of the León Socialist Group Executive as Secretary for Participation, Networks, and Innovation. In 2017, I was elected Provincial Secretary of the PSOE of León in the first primary process open to the membership. In 2021, I was re-elected for a second term.
When I assumed the provincial secretariat, together with an outstanding team, my primary goal was for the PSOE to become the leading political force in the province of León once again, which would allow us to regain control of the Provincial Council. After 24 years of successive PP governments, the institution was stagnant, preventing our province from seizing numerous future opportunities. We achieved this goal in 2019 and reaffirmed it in 2023. Additionally, I worked to strengthen the trust of the people of León in the PSOE, regaining control of many municipal governments and contributing to victories in both general and regional elections. We also secured, once again, an absolute majority in the Bierzo Regional Council in the 2019 and 2023 elections.
During the 13th and 14th legislative terms, I served as the spokesperson for Science and Innovation for the Socialist Parliamentary Group in the Congress of Deputies and as rapporteur for key legislative projects, including:
- Law for the Transformation of the Financial System
- General Telecommunications Law
- Law on the Securities Markets and Investment Services
- Science, Technology, and Innovation Law
- Organic Law of the University System
I also chaired the Spanish Delegation to the Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination, and Governance in the European Union (CECEG). Since 2023, I have been part of the leadership of the Socialist Parliamentary Group in the Congress of Deputies.
I firmly believe in politics as a driving force for change to build a fairer and more prosperous society. I remain committed as General Secretary of the PSOE of León and as a Member of the Spanish Parliament (Congress of Deputies) in the 15th legislative term.
CONTACT
As the General Secretary of the PSOE of León and a Member of the Spanish Parliament (Congress of Deputies), I maintain this virtual parliamentary office open to all. My commitment is to provide a space where you can share your inquiries, proposals, and initiatives on issues of interest that affect our society and the common good. This office serves as a channel to foster open and constructive dialogue, where every voice and idea are heard and valued.
Through this form, you can bring up matters related to the province of León or the areas I oversee at the Congress of Deputies. If you wish to discuss a topic in depth, you can request an in-person appointment, and I will be delighted to meet with you either at the PSOE of León headquarters or at my office in the Socialist Parliamentary Group at the Congress of Deputies.
This space is a meeting point for collaboration and the generation of ideas and projects aimed at driving positive transformation for the benefit of León and our country, with the shared commitment to building a better future together.
SEND ME A MESSAGE, AND I WILL REPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
PSOE de León
Calle 19 de octubre, 4
24008 León
Congreso de los Diputados
28071 Madrid