
PhD in Biological Sciences, m/ Cell and Molecular Biology 01/03/14–16/05/19
Thesis: “Role of mesenchymal fibro/adipogenic progenitors in homeostasis and disease: from signaling to fibrosis.”
Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular and Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE-ChileUC)
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Supervisor: Professor Enrique Brandan; Co-supervisor: Professor Fabio Rossi, University of British Columbia, Canada
Master in Biological Sciences, m/ Cell and Molecular Biology 01/03/14–20/08/15
Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular and Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE-ChileUC)
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Supervisor: Dr Enrique Brandan
Bachelor of Biological Sciences 01/03/08–30/08/12
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
I’m a Chilean Post-doctoral Scientist working on cell-based strategies for improving our understanding of heart development and regeneration under the supervision of Dr. Richard Harvey at The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Sydney, Australia. I completed my undergraduate research under Dr. Juan Larrain studying the developmental role of the Wnt-PCP pathway and Syndecan-4 in neural tube closure in 2013. Then, I concluded my Ph.D. working on tissue-resident fibro-adipogenic progenitor fate, plasticity, and heterogeneity in muscle and heart regeneration/repair in Dr. Enrique Brandan’s Lab with the co-supervision of Dr. Fabio Rossi at the University of British Columbia in 2019. I’ve been focused on comprehending myopathies and myogenic fate determination and differentiation in the context of fibrosis. My career goal is to advance our knowledge of the mechanisms regulating cellular plasticity, heterogeneity, and behavior. I point to a future where we will be able to translate that knowledge into efficient medical applications.
Honors and Awards
The FEBS Journal Poster of the Day Award, 45th FEBS Virtual Congress, Ljubljana July 2021
PDGF-PDGFR network modulates myogenic progenitor fate, migration, and proliferation
IUBMB MilliporeSigma Virtual Meeting Fellowship, Fellowship to attend 45th FEBS Virtual Congress Mar. 2021
International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB)
Conjoint Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia 18/01/21 - Present
People’s Choice Award-Art of the Heart, IMAGINE: 3D reconstruction of hiPSC derived cardiomyocytes 16/12/20
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute
Pan Pacific Connective Tissue Societies Symposium Conference Attendance Award 16/10/20
Matrix Biology & Matrix Biology Plus Journals
Doctoral Prize “Excellence of Doctoral Thesis 2019”, for the best Ph.D. thesis in Biology and Health Sciences 15/01/20
Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
National Doctoral Fellowship, Beca de Doctorado Nacional Folio 21140378 01/03/14–30/08/18
Comisión Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONICYT), Chile
Hermann Niemeyer Medal, for the best Ph.D. Student in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Sep. 2016
Chilean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Best Image in Cell Biology, First Prize Oct. 2014
Chilean Society for Cell Biology (SBCCh)
Excellence Award for Doctoral Studies UC, Best Ph.D. Student 01/03/14–30/08/18
Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Award for Academic Excellence, awarded to the best entry student into the Doctorate degree 01/03/14
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Undergraduate Student Excellence Fellowship of Honor, Best Undergraduate Student 01/03/10–31/12/10
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile