CV

📄 Download CV (PDF)

Professional Summary

#

Cell and developmental biologist with a PhD and over a decade of research experience at UC Riverside and UCLA, with international exposure at UGhent (Belgium) and FAFU (China). Track record of first-author and co-author publications in high-impact journals (Nature Communications, Cell, The Plant Cell). Combines deep scientific rigor with expertise in quantitative imaging (FLIM, AFM, confocal), molecular biology, and data science (Python, R) with strategic expertise in R&D project management, technology transfer, intellectual property, and entrepreneurship. Experienced in securing and/or managing competitive grants (NIH, NSF, FONDECYT, FONDEF). Fluent English and Spanish; international professional network across three continents.

Core Competencies

#

• Cell & Developmental Biology & Auxin Signaling / Plant Cell Polarity
• Quantitative Imaging: Confocal, TIRF, FLIM, AFM imaging
• Data Science & Bioinformatics: RNA-seq data analysis (Python, R, Jupyter Notebooks), image processing
• R&D Project Management & Grant Writing/Reporting (NIH, NSF, FONDECYT, FONDEF)
• Technology Transfer & IP Management: Patent evaluation, prior art search
• Mentoring & Leadership: Multidisciplinary team leadership, academic mentoring
• Scientific Communication: Peer review, scientific writing, international conference presentations
• AI Integration: Integration of AI tools in research workflows

Research Experience

#

Assistant Project Scientist | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Jul 2024 – Jan 2026 | Dept. of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
Supervisor: Prof. Jaimie Van Norman

• Characterized WALLFLOWER, a previously uncharacterized receptor-like kinase polarized in root epidermal cells: discovered its mutant phenotype and established its role in repressing cell elongation and root waving through mechanobiology experiments (co-first author; manuscript under review at The Plant Cell).
• Led interdisciplinary research at the interface of plant cell biology, biophysics, and engineering, integrating advanced microscopy platforms (FLIM, AFM) with data science tools (Python, R) to characterize subcellular mechanics in living tissues.
• Coordinated multidisciplinary scientific teams and contributed to capacity building through research mentorship.

Assistant Project Scientist | University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Apr 2021 – Jun 2024 | Dept. of Botany and Plant Sciences
Supervisors: Prof. Zhenbiao Yang & Prof. Jaimie Van Norman

• Directed research on auxin signaling and cell polarity, leading to first-author publications in Nature Communications (PIN2-mediated self-organizing auxin flow) and a manuscript to be submitted for revision (hierarchical auxin signaling).
• Produced high-impact peer-reviewed publications in Cell, Plant Physiology, and New Phytologist as co-author, contributing quantitative imaging and molecular biology expertise.
• Provided technical advisory to Universidad Santo Tomás on the interface between microscopy data and machine learning algorithms for biological pattern analysis (2023–2024).

Postdoctoral Researcher | University of California, Riverside (UCR)
Apr 2016 – Apr 2021 | Dept. of Botany and Plant Sciences
Supervisor: Prof. Zhenbiao Yang

• Conducted NIH-funded research on plant cell growth mechanisms and cell polarity using live-cell confocal/TIRF microscopy, contributed to annual NIH progress reports.
• Awarded FAFU–UCR Joint Center Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017–2019, ~$120,000 USD), integrating into the China–USA research network and co-directing preparation of an NSFC grant application.
• Coordinated international research teams across UC Riverside and Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (China), aligning scientific capabilities across disciplines.

Education

#

Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Neuroscience Biology
University of Chile, Santiago, Chile | Mar 2011 – Jan 2016

• Thesis: “Lateral root development; response to Sortin2”
• Advisors: Prof. Lorena Norambuena (UChile) & Prof. Tom Beeckman (VIB / UGhent)
• Managed a ~$5,100 USD annual operational budget (2013–2014, inflation-adjusted).

Exchange Doctoral Student | VIB & Ghent University, Belgium | Apr – Oct 2013

• Worked with Prof. Tom Beeckman.

MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Chile, Santiago, Chile | Sept 2009 – Dec 2010

• Research in FONDECYT 11080240 project and Millennium Nucleus in Plant Cellular Biotechnology.

BSc in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering
University of Chile, Santiago, Chile | Mar 2004 – Sept 2009

Exchange Undergraduate Student | UC Davis, California, USA | Jan – Jun 2008

• Worked with Prof. Michael Syvanen.

Project Evaluation & Technology Entrepreneurship

#

• Co-founder - Green and Blue Research | Santiago, Chile (2022 – 2024)
  Co-founded a high-risk startup aiming to improve seawater health by promoting green algae content.
• AI Solutions Development - FONDEF Project | Puerto Montt, Chile (2022 – 2023)
  Implemented AI models for biological data processing in a FONDEF project developing technological tools for aquaculture producers in southern Chile.
• Principal Investigator - FONDEF-VIU Project | CONICYT, Chile (2012 – 2013)
  Led a competitive grant on technology transfer and commercial valorization of academic research, culminating in the creation of the biotech company Rizonovo SpA.
• Diploma in Project Preparation and Evaluation | Univ. of Chile (2010)
  Dept. of Industrial Engineering - methodologies for private and social project evaluation (~156h).
• Course in Entrepreneurship and Technological Business | Innovo, USACH (2010)
  Business incubation, technology marketing, and capital raising (~36h).

Industrial Property

#

• Patent Evaluation Training - INAPI, Chile (Mar – Jun 2015)
  Completed intensive ~6-month patent examiner training program covering patentability analysis, prior art search (WIPO, INAPI, Google Patents), novelty/inventive step analysis, and biotechnology patent applications under Chilean Law 19.039.

Teaching Experience

#

• CIRTL Associate Certificate - Teaching Higher Education (Jun 2025) – UCLA, The CIRTL Network @UCLA
• Instructor - Freshman Academic Advising Seminar NASC093 (Sep – Dec 2021) – UC Riverside
• Invited Lecturer - “The root of success: molecular aspects of lateral root development” (Oct 2012 & Oct 2013) – University of Chile
• Mentor (2011 – present) – Mentored students from high school through graduate level (Aditi Patel, Jaclyn Shoudis, Nicole Ray, Daniel Sert, Nate Collins, Destiny Tran, Kishan Talati, Diya Paul, Stefania Morales, Claudio Osorio).

Grants, Fellowships & Awards

#

• Travel Award (2025) - NSF, IPGSA Conference 2025, Fort Collins, Colorado
• Best Oral Presentation (2024) - UCR Early Career Scientist Symposium (Graduate Division & RPA)
• Nominee - Excellence in Postdoctoral Research Award (2024) - Office of Research, UCR
• Nominee - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Award (2023) - Dept. of Botany & Plant Science, UCR
• Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017–2019) - FAFU–UCR Joint Center (~$120,000 USD)
• Ph.D. Fellowship (2011–2015) - CONICYT-Chile (~$80,000 USD)
• Principal Investigator - Operational Expenses Grant (2013–2014) - CONICYT, Chile (~$8,000 USD)
• Principal Investigator - FONDEF-VIU (2012–2013) - CONICYT, Chile (~$30,000 USD)
• Co-PI - MECESUP (2011) - Foreign Specialist Visit (~$4,000 USD)
• Research Internship Abroad (2012) - UGhent/VIB, University of Chile (~$4,500 USD)
• Exchange Student Scholarship (2008) - UC Davis, University of Chile (~$19,000 USD)

Professional & Community Service

#

• Peer Reviewer: Plant Physiology, PNAS, The Plant Journal, New Phytologist (2022 – present)
• Community Reviewer: Frontiers in Plant Science (2024 – present)
• Board Member: Reach Leadership Academy school governing board, Riverside, CA (2021 – 2025)
• Board Member, Secretary: Riverside Postdoctoral Association (RPA) (2019 – 2020)
• Scientific Memberships: AAAS (2019 – present), ASPB (2019 – present), SBBMCh (2012 – present)