I am a Master’s student in Biology at the University of Buenos Aires, specializing in biotechnology, with cross-disciplinary experience in histology, toxicology, virology and microbiology.

My current thesis focuses on lactic acid bacteria and it’s biotechnological applications. The main focus of my study is to develop functionalized food that can have multiple applications and innovative properties. With the intention of optimizing this system, I also study tolerance and morphological and structural changes in bacterial cell walls under stress conditions. This system could be adapted to deliver oral vaccines or to display radioprotective and antioxidant peptides that help counteract the oxidative damage associated with space radiation exposure. Not only that but, studying how these bacteria survive extreme stress conditions would be useful to better understanding of bacterial resistance and space food manufacturing.

During my studies I worked as a research intern at the “Histofisiologia de animales acuáticos” laboratory and the “Estrategias antivirales” laboratory. At the first one, I was responsible for maintaining the laboratory’s aquatic system and animal care. At the second one, I was solely responsible for experimental execution and presentation design in international collaborations with institutions in Brazil (UNIFESSPA and UEL). One of the groups in Brazil received funding thanks to the obtained results.

Not only have I presented my research at international congresses, but I also have 5+ years of experience in science communication. I have led guided laboratory tours and disseminated various scientific topics (evolution, wildlife, biological models, human physiology and biotechnological applications) at public events to diverse groups of people.

I aspire to contribute to NASA teams working in astrobiology (specially on how our microbiota is affected in space missions), space biotechnology (including fermentation, biomanufacturing, food production for spaceflight, bioregenerative life support systems and technologies supporting space exploration and habitability) and xenobiology.