I obtained a BSc in Biology from the University of Zulia (Maracaibo, Venezuela) in 2009. During my studies I worked as an undergraduate researcher at a Bacterial Strain Collection where I learnt all the basics for culturing and identifying a wide-range of microorganisms. I carried out my BSc Thesis at the Bacterial Antigens group of the same University. During this time, I spent 3 months at the University of Barcelona in the Bacterial Genetics Group (Spain) where I carried out a small research project involving gene expression modulators in E. coli. Upon earning my undergraduate degree, I returned to the Bacterial Genetics Group to pursue my MSc (2010). Soon after, I was awarded a 4-year PhD position at the same group, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Education. My project focused on the impact of plasmid and chromosome-encoded regulators on the global transcriptome of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli. During my PhD, I did an internship at Jay Hinton’s Lab (University of Liverpool, UK) to study the capacity of infection and intracellular survival of different mutants of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium within macrophages.
I first came to the LSTM as a visiting researcher in Acosta-Serrano group in the Department of Parasitology. I studied the role of secondary infections in Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) lesions with regards to treatment responses.
I joined the Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage (EHPC) model as a Postdoctoral Researcher in 2016 and my current projects are:
1. I am identifying systemic correlates of protection against pneumococcal carriage in humans. The results of these studies will allow us to identify protein-based vaccine candidates to develop a universal vaccine against pneumonia (collaborators: Prof. Rick Malley and Dr. Joe Campo)
2. Together with the LJMU I am working toward the development of a pulmonary delivered vaccine against pneumonia using nanoparticles (collaborator, Dr. Imran Salem)
To learn more about our research, visit my Sparrho pinboard.
Teaching
During my Bachelor degree, I won a demonstrator position in Practical Botany. From 2011-2015, I held an adjunct lectureship position to teach practical Microbiology at the University of Barcelona. At LSTM, I have taught the practical session of Pneumonia and Respiratory Health TROP938 for the MSc Tropical Infectious Diseases courses.
Professional Memberships
British Society of Immunology
Royal Society of Biology, MRSB
Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
I am a co-organizer of the LSTM Methods in Tropical Medicine. A monthly meeting of researchers which promotes communication and collaborations across LSTM and nearby institutions.
Twitter account: @LSTMmethods