About
Summary
Skillful Molecular Biologist and Phytopathologist with wide experience in the areas of basic and applied research. Also being practically involved in training students and professionals, managing human and financial resources, and providing education to mixed and varied groups of people. Excellent reputation in resolving problems, improving work conditions, and making capabilities in others clear. Goal-oriented, independent, and collaborative.
Positions
Junior Research Assistant Aug 2002 - Aug 2003
● Created, and later run, a brand new Molecular Biology lab at the Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, USDA (Hilo, Hawaii).
● Helped to deregulate the transgenic Hawaiian papayas for the Japanese market by 1) rescuing the transgenic insertion and analyzing its border sequences, and 2) by assessing the potential allergenicity of the transgenic fruit.
Postdoctoral Research Associate Jan 2002 - Aug 2002
● Contributed to the first full molecular analysis of a commercial transgenic fruit plant.
● Co-filed for a patent involving various native and synthetic genes used for conferring transgenic viral
resistance.
● Contributed to the writing of various manuscripts, and the editing and publishing of several research papers.
Graduate Research Assistant Jan 2000 - Dec 2001
● Helped to create, and later fully analyzed for five generations, the first transgenic plant for Venezuela.
● Designed synthetic genes in the lab that were able to widen the transgenic viral resistance of a model plant.
● Provided the molecular data required for the detailed molecular characterization of the only transgenic fruit product available in the market in the USA and Canada at that moment (1998).
● Characterized genetically and molecularly, during four generations, a transgenic fruit plant expressing an untranslatable virus gene in planta.
Professor Sep 1992 - Oct 2016
Faculty of Sciences, Universidad de Los Andes
● Contributed to the education of undergrad students of the career of Biology having taught the courses of Genetics, Genetic Engineering, Molecular Ecology, and Bioethics. Similarly, contributed to the education of graduate students teaching numerous courses in Venezuela and abroad- detailed information is available upon request.
● Helped increasing the scientific production of my institution by publishing many refereed articles, book chapters, and books in diverse areas of my professional discipline.
● Lead to successful completion (100% achieved goals) several research projects, national or internationally funded, related to plant disease management, plant biotechnology, along with the genotypic, phenotypic, and molecular evaluation of biodiversity/variability of bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants, and some animals.
● Coached and boosted the professional advancement of many directly mentored students, some of which are now pursuing higher degrees in Europe, as well as in North and South American universities.
● Represented the interest of the academic staff in the Faculty's Council, in a position won by-elections.
● Co-organized and/or participated several times in a yearly-based event, attended by no less than 2000 students, planned for the promotion of science in basic and high schools.
● Implemented curricular changes, and improved the teaching of diverse graduate and undergraduate courses.
Education
Cornell University 1997 - 2001
Field of study: Plant Pathology
Degree: Ph.D.
Universidad de Los Andes 1992 - 1996
Field of study: Molecular Biology
Degree: MSc in Fundamental Medical Sciences
Universidad de Los Andes 1985 - 1990
Field of study: Biology
Degree: Licenciate in Biology
Skills
Keywords: 1D & 2D electrophoresisCV
Please sign in to view the CV.