Direction of PhD Students
Lic. Yamila Hipperdinger. [email protected]. FONCyT. 2024-present. I am geneticist, graduated from the National University of the Northwest of Buenos Aires province (UNNOBA). I have always liked Biology, especially molecular biology because I like knowing how it works, that is why I chose to study genetics. I did a pasanty in Bayer crop science company, where it woke my interest in plants. Dr. José Estévez gave me the opportunity to do my PhD at the Leloir institute, under the project "Identification of the regulatory network controlling root hair growth under inorganic phosphate deficiency combined with high salinity conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana", where the aim is to characterize the new genes that have been identified through the GWAS (Genome Wide Association Studies) approach, which regulate root hair growth with Low levels of Pi combined with High/no salinity. Lic. Yossmayer del Carmen Rondon Guerrero. [email protected]. FONCyT. 2019-present. Graduated of from Los Andes University, in Mérida, Venezuela, Biologist on formation, with specially interest in cell biology, and genetics regulation. Now PhD student, since 2019 at Molecular Basis of the Plant Development Laboratory. I currently work in the transport of ROS mediated by Plasma Membrane Intrinsic Proteins (PIPs) in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana, and how this activate MAPK pathways, regulating their growth. I love science, and how little by little it has been able to explain the dynamics of life and the way it evolves. Studying the basics of how everything works within a cell, which is so efficient and intelligent, allows you to marvel even more. Please find me in Twitter at @YossDlr Lic. Victoria Berdion Gabarain. [email protected]. CONICET. April 2020-present. My name is Victoria and I recently (in 2020) graduated with a biology science degree from the School of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires. As a child, I was curious about how things worked and I could spend hours looking at plants, bugs or playing with dirt. Then, I enrolled in biology without really knowing what to expect and venturing into a world unknown to me, (no one in my family studied or knew anyone related to the scientific world). I discovered a new universe and found a great passion to study and ask myself questions about everything around me. In particular, I specialized in plants and fungi and did my undergraduate thesis studying the effects of the interaction between stem fungal endophytes in the micro-propagation protocol of native grasses under the direction of Dr. Javier Regalado. Seeking to broaden my horizons, I went to a talk at the Leloir Institute and I was fascinated by molecular biology and how the regulation of the most hidden part of plants, the root, could be studied. José Estevez's lab opened its doors to me and that is how this year I started my PhD, in which I will study how specific transcription factors control the growth of roots in abiotic stress conditions. Please find me in Twitter at @victoriaberdion Lic. Mariana Carignani Sardoy. [email protected]. CONICET. 2020-present I recently got my degree in biological sciences from the School of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires and I’m now starting my PhD. I did my undergraduate thesis at Dr. Estevez’s lab, where Cecilia Borassi was my thesis director. My PhD is centered in the analysis of ACAs, calcium transporters that could be related to Ca2+ oscillations at the tip of root hairs and therefore could be involved in polarized growth. I’ve always been curious about how life works and I find the understanding of biological processes extremely interesting. Every day we learn more about the huge diversity and adaptations that organisms have been going through since the beginning of times, and it never ceases to amaze me. I would like to understand more about roots because, eventually, I want to learn how they interact with soil microorganisms. I am a balcony gardener and proud owner of a few plants. Please find me in Twitter at @MariCarignani Lic. Gabriela Diaz Dominguez. [email protected]. CONICET. 2021-present. Root hairs are individual plant cells that play crucial roles in the acquisition of nutrients and water. The main objective is to study the regulation of cell expansion in Arabidopsis thaliana as a single cell experimental model. Polarized cell expansion is directed and maintained by complex signaling coordinated by master regulators that control the flow of calcium ions (Ca2+) and the assembly of actin microfilaments. By carrying out different experiments that will lead to this thesis, we aim to identify and functionally characterize which of the ATPases-IIA-type Ca+2 transporters (ECAs, ER-type Ca2+-ATPases) that are involved in growth regulation. polarization of root hairs. For this, we will try to obtain and study single and multiple mutants for the different transporters and evaluate how their absence or over-expression would modify the normal polarized growth in said biological systems. Lic. Leonel Lopez. [email protected]. Agencia. 2022-present. My name is Leonel Lopez, I have a degree in Genetics from the National University of the Northwest of Buenos Aires province (UNNOBA). Since I was a child I have been interested in Biology and that led me to study Genetics, a career that woke up my passion for research. I have special interest in cell and molecular biology. In my degree thesis I studied the function of two genes involved in the development of the tracheal system using the triatomine Rhodnius prolixus as a model organism. I had never worked with plants until I started working in the biotechnology laboratory of an agricultural company; that experience helped me realise that I find it interesting to work with these organisms. Recently José gave me the opportunity to do my PhD in his laboratory studying the roles of RALF peptides and FER receptor during root growth. I like to learn new things all the time and in my free time I like to listen to music, watch movies and go out with friends. Direction of PostDoc and Research Asistants at UNAB Lic. Tomas Urzua [email protected] (CBV, UNAB-iBIO) Since I was a child I’ve had a liking for plants, something that was inspired and shared with my mother. When I started my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry, I quickly found that this love of plants also translated to an academic interest, and thus I started my undergraduate thesis work under the wing of Dr. Loreto Holuigue at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. My area of study was the molecular genetics of plant pathogenesis and immunity, something that I continued pursuing when I started working at the Center of Plant Biotechnology at UNAB in Santiago. However, I found a new and very exciting area of research under the guidance of Dr José Estevez, who studied the mechanisms of root development. My current line of research involves the molecular mechanisms by which Arabidopsis regulates its development of roots under different adverse conditions, such as low phosphate and low or high temperatures. Dr. Miguel Ibeas [email protected] (CBV, UNAB). Recently I got my Ph.D. in Biological Sciences with mention in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. During my thesis work, I was fortunate to work with different non-model species, which made me generate interest in understanding how plants are capable of surviving in adverse environments. Starting to work together with Dr. José M. Estevez and his team has been presented as a great opportunity to continue exploring, from a molecular point of view, the growth and adaptation capacity of plants in adverse environments. I think the most exciting part of being a scientist is to constantly question everything surrounding me, and algo to share knowledge between us. I believe that as scientist is essential to find new ways to share our findings and more important, to communicating them to the non-scientific people. I’m also a big fan of beer, music, dogs and Pokémon. Please find me in Twitter at @migueibeas Dr. Jorge Perez-Diaz [email protected] (CBV, UNAB). 2021-present. I am Agronomist, graduated from the Universidad Austral de Chile. I grew up in the countryside and for that reason I have always been very interested and fascinated by plants. I got a Doctorate in Sciences, majoring in Plant Genetic Engineering at the Universidad de Talca (2013). As a PhD student I did research stays at the National Taiwan University (Taipei) and at the Max-Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology (Potsdam, Germany) and as a postdoctoral researcher at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa (Brazil). My research has focused mainly on the abiotic stress faced by plants of agronomic importance and the study of the genes involved in that response in model plant species, several of them being transcription factors. Currently I joined as a postdoc in the laboratory of Dr. José M. Estévez at the UNAB Center for Plant Biotechnology (CBV) in Santiago working in the Millennium Nucleus for the Development of Super Adaptable Plants (MN-SAP). Dr. Hernán Grenett S. [email protected] (CBV/UNAB-iBIO). 2023-present. I hold a PhD in Biotechnology from the Andrés Bello University in Santiago, Chile. Dedicated to understanding the fascinating world of plants, I have focused my research career on various aspects of plant biology, including flowering, pollen, auxin signaling, and cell wall development. Currently, I am pursuing a Postdoctoral Fellowship with Dr. Estevez and Dr. Jose M. Alvarez, investigating the physiological and molecular mechanisms regulating root architecture under climate change and nutrient deficiency stress. This research aims to identify strategies for enhancing crop resilience and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Beyond my scientific pursuits, I am an avid enthusiast of video games, comics, beer, and exploring diverse cuisines. Lic. Romina Acha Escobar [email protected] (CBV, UNAB). 2021-present. I recently (2021) received my biotechnology engineering degree. Plants have always fascinated me since I was a child, however, throughout my academic training I worked in very different laboratories, I was researching in the area of aquaculture as well as performing bioinformatic analysis; It was almost when I finished my degree that I decided on the plant model, nothing could have caught my attention more and I think it is the most important thing to do science; I love its mechanisms and responses, as well as its research potential and global importance, considering climate change and the world's food needs. I currently work with the group of Dr. José Estévez in Chile at the Plant Biotechnology Center (CBV) of the UNAB under the project "Millennium Nucleus for the development of super-adaptable plants" (MN-SAP) developing administrative tasks and supporting research on root hair development under different stress conditions. Co-Direction of PhD and Post-Docs Students Lic. Julián García Bossi. [email protected]. Fellowship FONCyT. April 2019-present. Director Prof. Jorge Muschietti. INGEBI-CONICET. Lic. Bin Li. April 2019-2021. Director Prof. Feng Yu. Hunan University. China. FORMER LAB MEMBERS (working in Academia or private sector) Dra. Diana R. Garcia. PhD student (2019-2023) CONICET at FIL-IIBBA. Currently is at California USA. Dr. Javier Martinez Pacheco. PhD student (2019-2023) CONICET at FIL-IIBBA. Currently is Post-Doc at SALK San Diego, California USA. Dr. Manuel Peralta. PostDoc (2020-2022) CONICET at FIL-IIBBA. Currently he is Post-Doc at Paris-France. Dra. Ana Sede. PhD student (2015-2019) and Post Doc (2019-2021) CONICET at INGEBI. Currently she is Post-Doc at Strasbourg France. Dra. Cecilia Borassi. PhD student (2015-2019) and Post-Doc (2019-2021) CONICET. Currently she is Post-Doc at Dolf Weijers´s lab at Wageningen University (Netherlans). Dra. Silvina Mangano. Post-Doc and Asistant Researcher (CONICET) 2015-2018. Currently, she is Adjunct Researcher (CONICET) at INTECH Chascomus, Argentina. Dr. Martiniano Ricardi. Post-Doc 2014-2015. Currently he is Asistant Researcher (CONICET) at IFIBYNE, UBA. Dra. S. Melina Velasquez. Doctoral and Post-Doc 2008-2015. Currently she is Post-Doc at BOKU, Austria (at Jurgen Veinh Klein lab). Dra. P. Virginia Fernández. Doctoral fellow during 2008-2012. Currently she is Adjunct Researcher (CONICET) in FAUBA (Marina Ciancia lab). Dra. Silvina Paola Denita Juárez. Doctoral fellow during 2014-2018. Currently at Biogenotec (Mendoza Argentina). |