I obtained the PhD degree at the Biochemistry Department and Molecular Biology in the Pharmacy School and Aquaculture Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela in 2005. After I completed my PhD, I joined at University Hospital Santiago de Compostela with a postdoctoral research contract.
In 2006, I joined 3 months in to Dr. Prof. Helmut Friess Lab., (European Pancreatic Center, UniversitätsKlinicum, Heidelberg, Germany). There, I used several techniques (Inmunohistochemistry, molecular genetics, tissues processes, cell culture.) to identify the JC Virus in pancreatic tumors.
In 2007, I obtained a three year contract from Galicia Government into the program Angeles Alvariño (Research Junior). Here, I was researching within two projects concerning to clinical, genetic variants and genetic counselors in human pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis (European Grant for determination of genetic mechanisms in pancreatic cancer (PaCa-EU-PLO18771). During 2008-2009, I worked in the Dr. David Whitcomb Lab, University of Pittsburgh- Hillman Cancer Center, USA. I am participated in the National Acute Pancreatitis Study 2 (NAPS-2; R01 Project) of the molecular mechanisms of chronic pancreatitis. In collaboration with Dr. Randall E Brand from Hillman Cancer Center in Pittsburgh, I designed a chip with 21 genes associated to xenobiotic metabolisms (alcohol and tobacco) and their implications in pancreatic cancer susceptibility.
In relation to the genetic cancer program, I have collaborated with Dr. Alber DeLeo Lab. in the identification and characterization of cancer stem cells in solid tumor. My project was to identify cancer stem cells from pancreatic tumor (patients and cell lines) using different cell surface markers (CD24, CD133 and Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity.
From November 2010, I am Director of Institute of Applied Microbiology in Pontevedra, Spain. Here, I have created a research group that investigates different pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, and fungi), as well as marine toxins that can cause humans infections by consumption ready to eat shellfish.
