I am a predoctoral researcher in the Biomedicine and Biotechnology Ph.D. program at the Universitat de València, where I have been part of the Biotechnological Pest Control Laboratory (CBP) since 2022. Originally from Ecuador, I earned my B.Sc. in Biotechnological Processes at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, where I conducted my undergraduate thesis on the development and use of microsatellite markers to analyze the population genetics of Vascula melones and assess the effects of its exploitation in the Galápagos and mainland Ecuador. Driven by a strong interest in sustainable agriculture and molecular biotechnology, I moved to Spain to pursue further studies. I completed an M.Sc. in Plant Genetics and Breeding at the Universitat Politècnica de València, where my thesis focused on how genotype and sample processing affect the volatile profile of a collection of Capsicum species and varieties from different geographic origins. Before starting my Ph.D., I worked at Ecuador’s National Institute of Public Health Research (INSPI), where I specialized in pathogen detection using techniques such as RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence.
Currently, my Ph.D. research focuses on the physiological and immune responses of Spodoptera exigua to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal proteins, with special emphasis on Cry and Vip proteins. I am also investigating the accumulation and retention of Vip protein in Bt spores. In parallel with my research, I actively participate in science outreach initiatives and international conferences. My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of environmentally friendly pest control strategies through molecular biotechnology.
