1. Molecular epidemiology, immunology and molecular biology of respiratory viruses 2. Host responses to viral infections 3. Virulence and antigenic determinants of negative RNA viruses

CURRENT MENTORSHIP
Post Doctoral fellows:
1. Mariana Quiroz Munoz, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. "Clinical and Inflamatory features of Severe COVID-19 in pediatric individuals". (2021– present)
2. Catalina Pardo, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Viral and cellular factors related to the capacity of Influenza A Viruses to adapt to diverse hosts”. (2018 – present).
3. Jorge Levican Asenjo, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Antigenic modulation of influenza viruses by the introduction of N-glycosylations in the Hemagglutinin glycoprotein”. (2018 – present).
4. Tamara Garcia Salum, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Early Immune responses to Influenza A virus in severe infected individuals”. (2014 – present).

Graduate students:
1. Maria Jose Avendaño, Ph.D. Student in Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Humoral correlates of protection: understanding longitudinal antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 in a Chilean cohort” (2020 – present).
2. Gonzalo Valenzuela Galaz, Medical Student, Pediatric Internship Research Project, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Caracterización del nivel de citoquinas en pacientes graves por influenza con malnutrición”, (2019 – present).
3. Eileen Serrano, Ph.D. Candidate in Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Host responses in hypertensive individuals infected with influenza virus: a multi-Omics approach” (2019 – present)

Graduate Thesis Committees:
1. Dafne Mendoca, Ph.D. candidate Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2022 - present). "Study of the role of HuR as a master regulator of HIV-1 IRES-mediated translation initiation."
2. Claudia Galleguillos, Ph.D. candidate in Biotechnology, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (2020 - present). “Development of a reverse genetics system to obtain a replicative chimeric PRV-1 virus capable of generating a humoral immune response in salmonids different from that of a native virus”
3. Nicolas Galvez, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2018 - present). "Challenges of infections with circulating respiratory viruses: Impact of different hRSV strains on the CNS and generation and evaluation of vaccine prototypes against hRSV, hMPV, and SARS-CoV-2."

PAST MENTORSHIP –
Postdoctoral Fellows
1. Gonzalo Barriga, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Molecular Epidemiology of Influenza virus in wild birds in Chile”. (2014 – 2018).
2. Isolda Budnik, M.D., Infectious Disease Research Fellow, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2012 - 2014). “Metanalyses of clinical outcome from individuals hospitalized due to influenza A virus infection during 2011 and 2012, in a University Hospital in Santiago, Chile”.
3. Andres Rivero, M.D., Infectious Disease Research Fellow, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA. (2009 – 2010). “Sequencing of H1N1 influenza viruses during the 2009 influenza A pandemic outbreak in Chile”.

Research Fellow
1. Raveen Rathnasinghe, BSc (Hons) in Forensic Biology, Teesside University, UK. “Virulence factors of Influenza A virus.” (2015 - 2018)

Graduate Students:
1. Leonardo Almonacid, Ph.D. in Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. “The role of quacispecies diversity in the virulence of human influenza A virus.” (2016 – 2020).
2. Paulina Parra, Master in Biotechnology Engineering, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile. “Design and validation of RT-PCR multiplex techniques for the simultaneous detection of Influenza and PRRS viruses.” (2016 – 2018).
3. Gabriel Guajardo, Master in Biotechnology Engineering, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile. “Antigenic role of the N-glycosylation in residue 144 of the globular head of the hemagglutinin of Influenza A H1N1virus.” (2016 – 2018).
4. Marco Saavedra, Master Thesis – Biotechnology Engineering, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile. “Identification and characterization of swine Influenza A viruses in Chile”. (2013 – 2016).
5. Hanni Uusi-Kerttula, Master Thesis - Biomedical Technology, University of Tampere, Finland. (2012 - 2013). “The impact of influenza A hemagglutinin glycosylations on the breadth of the humoral immune response”.

International Visiting Students
1. Kayla Adkins-Travis, Ph.D. Student, Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, “Metabolomic analyses of Influenza virus infected severe and non-severe individuals” (November 2021).
2. Tatiana Gasperin, Ph.D. Student, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre. “Host responses and molecular epidemiology of Influenza A virus in Brazil” (August – December, 2015).

Undergraduate Students:
1. Fabiola Perazzo, 7th year Medical Student, Research Assistant Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2020 – 2021).
2. Daniela Peña, Undergraduate Thesis – Engineer in Biotechnology, Universidad de Santiago. “Evaluación genotípica y serológica de virus de influenza A (VIA) aislados en Chile desde diversos hospederos” (2019 - 2021).
3. Natalia Ross, Undergraduate Thesis – Biochemistry, Universidad de Concepcion. “Evaluación de la respuesta inmune celular desde sangre periférica de pacientes con Influenza” (2018-2019).
4. Clara Schultz, 7th year Medical Student, Research Assistant Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2018 – 2019).
5. Gonzalo Valenzuela Galaz, 7th year Medical Student, Research Assistant Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2014 – 2019).
6. Jose Retamal, 7th year Medical Student, Research Assistant Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2014 – 2019).
7. Joaquin Sharp, 6th year Medical Student, Research Assistant Program Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2015 – 2018).
8. Natalia Arenas Friggolet, Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry Research – Biochemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. “Induction of innate immune responses by influenza virus with diverse glycosylations on the Hemagglutinin globular head.” (2016).
9. Maria Jose Nunez, Undergraduate Thesis - Biochemistry (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Chile). “Characterization of the innate and humoral immune responses to influenza A virus infection in severe individuals” (2013 – 2015).
10. Hansol Kim, Undergraduate Thesis - Biochemistry (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile). “The effect of glycosylations on the humoral neutralizing response induced by the Influenza A virus hemagglutinin”. (2013 – 2015).
11. Jose Retamales Velasco, 3rd year Medical Student, Winter Research Program, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. (2014 – 2015).
12. Aldo Barrera, Undergraduate Thesis - Biochemistry (Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaiso, Chile). “Pathogenesis of Influenza A virus: molecular factors affecting human illness”. (2013 – 2014).
13. Hansol Kim, Undergraduate. Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry Research – Biochemistry, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, (2013). “Cloning of Glycosylated HAs from the pandemic 2009 H1N1 virus”.
14. Carolina Tumbley, Undergraduate Professional Training – Biochemistry, Universidad de Santiago, Chile. (2013). “Cloning of H1N1 HA for the generation of differentially glycosylated influenza viruses”.
15. Marco Saavedra, Undergraduate Professional Training– Biotechnology Engineering, Universidad Andres Bello, Chile. (2012). “Development of diagnostic techniques for the surveillance and monitoring of animal influenza in Chile”.
16. Carolina Beltran, Undergraduate Professional Training – Biochemistry, Universidad de Santiago, Chile. (2012). “Sequencing and cloning of H1N1 human influenza viruses from 2011”.
17. Marisa Rangel, senior Honors Biochemistry student, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA. (2002 - 2004). “Cloning and sequencing of deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) citokines for the study of Sin Nombre Hantavirus in its natural host”.

Past Graduate Thesis Committees:
1. Fabian Diaz Acevedo, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2018 - present). “Development and immunogenicity evaluation of a recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin expressing Andes hantavirus Nucleoprotein.”
2. Barbara Shultz, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2017 - present). “Role of Ly6G+ cell during systemic infections caused by Salmonella entérica 9 serovar Typhimurium in mice.”
3. Orlando Acevedo, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2017 - present). “Contribution of Fc gamma receptor III to immunity against respiratory infectious agents.”
4. Diana Alvarez, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2017 - 2020). “Determinación del rol de la glicoproteína G del virus herpes simple 2 (HSV-2) en la replicación y virulencia del microorganismo in vitro e in vivo.”
5. Liliana González, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2017 - 2020). “Evaluating the role of the balance between IFN-? and IL-10 production in lungs during a Streptococcus pneumoniae infection and its implication in pneumonia severity.”
6. Nicolas Muena, Ph.D. candidate in Biotecnology, Universidad Andres Bello (Invited external committee member, 2016 - 2020). “Desarrollo de Inhibidores contra la infección producida por Hantavirus Andes.”
7. Valeria Olguin, Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2017 - 20219). “Identificación de proteínas de Unión a RNA (RBPs) que actúan como factores transactivadores (ITAFs) para sitios internos de entrada al ribosoma (IRES).”
8. Francisco Ibañez, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2015 - 2019). “Rol de células T CD4+ VHS-específicas y no-específicas en la patogénesis de la queratitis herpética.”
9. Jorge Soto, Ph.D. candidate in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2015 - 2018). “Characterization of IL-13 contribution in asthma exacerbation caused by hRSV-infection.”
10. Angelo Retamal. Ph.D. candidate in Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2014 - 2018). “Role of interleukin-10 in herpes simplex virus type 2 genital infection in the mouse model”.
11. Zuleyma Peralta, Ph.D. Candidate, Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Invited external reviewer - October, 2017) “Genomic Approaches Reveal the Interplay of Viral and Cellular Transcription During Infection.”
12. Nicolás Bravo Vásquez. Ph.D. Candidate in Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Science, Facultad de Ciencias Agronómicas, Universidad de Chile (2015 – 2016). “Identification and prevalence of influenza virus in backyard production systems of the central zone of Chile: A threat to public and animal health?”
13. Bruno Ramirez C. Ph.D. candidate in Molecular genetics and Microbiology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (2014 - 2015). “Modulation of T cell function by human respiratory syncytial virus fusion glycoprotein”.
14. Daniela Toro, Ph.D. candidate in Microbiology, Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (Invited external reviewer, 2012 - 2015). “Estudio de la proteína NS1 del virus de la Anemia Infecciosas del Salmon (ISAV) y su rol en la virulencia”.

Visiting research Fellows:
1. Constanza Martínez Valdebenito, Visiting Scholar, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, USA. (2009) “Sequencing of H1N1 influenza viruses during the 2009 influenza A pandemic outbreak in Chile”.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
Courses since 2011
2020 – Yearly, Spring Translational Research of Emerging Viruses, (1 hr, 30 students), Clinical and Translacional Research – Graduate Course (MDO4028), School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2020 – Spring Detection of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens (theoretical class), (1 hr, 46 students) Biochemistry Laboratory II: Molecular Genetics (BIO226E), School of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2018 – Yearly, Fall Host-Virus Interaction, (3 hrs, 9 students), Molecular Genetics and Microbiology - Graduate Course (BIO4423), School of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
2011 – Yearly, Fall Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, (2 hrs, 60 students), Microbiology for Odontology (MED 301O), School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2012 – Yearly, Fall Respiratory Viruses: Influenza and Hantavirus, (2 hrs, 50 students), Medical Virology (MED 306A), School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2012 – Yearly, Spring Molecular Biology of Influenza and other respiratory viruses, (4 hrs, 4-6 students), Topics in Molecular Virology - Graduate Course (BIO4413), School of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
2012 – 2019, Spring Influenza Virus, (3 hrs, 15 students), Topics In Virology - Graduate Course (BCM511), School of Biological Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello.
2012 – 2019, Spring Molecular Biology of Influenza virus, (6 hrs, 6-12 students) Molecular and Cellular Virology - Graduate Course(CAVMC-1/POST1370), Microbiology Doctoral Program, School of Medicine, Universidad de Chile / Universidad de Santiago de Chile
2014 – April OMIC approaches for understanding influenza virus pathogenesis, (4 hrs, 10 students), Molecular and Cellular basis of virus-host interactions – Graduate Elective, Faculty of Science, Universidad de Chile
2012 – June Coronavirus and Hantavirus, (2 hrs, 20 students), Virology (66132), Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
2011 – December Influenza Virus, (4 hrs, 6 students) Molecular Genetics and Microbiology - Graduate Course, School of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

ACADEMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS
National and international
2021 Member, SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Group, Ministry of Science – Chile
2020 – 2021 Coordinator for the Development of a National Regulation for Biosafety and Biocontainment, Ministry of National Defense, Chile
2018 – Present Member, Latin American (LATAM) OIE and FAO Influenza (OFFLU) Swine Influenza virus group
2017 – 2019 Member, Biotechnology Committee, National Commission of Science and Technology (CONICYT) Chile.

Medical School
2021 Sept Moderator, First Meeting of the Ethical-Scientific and Safety Committees, Vice-Rectory for Research, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2020 Sept – Present Director, Advance Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Register (AIRR) – COVID-19 Working Group, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2018 – November Organizer of the International Symposium: “100 years since the 1918 Spanish influenza: Are we prepared against the next emerging pathogen pandemic?” Centro de Extension, Pontificia universidad Catolica de Chile Santiago, Chile
Duties: Organization and coordination of symposia for 200 registered attendees. It also included contacting and making arrangements for 9 international guest speakers, and coordination the overall symposium program, which included 11 international speakers and 6 local investigators.
2017 – Present Vice-President of the Institutional Scientific Safety Committee, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2014 – Present Member of Technical Committee of the institutional Animal Facility -CIBEM: Center for Innovation in Biomedical Experimental Models.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2013 – 2021 Biosafety Officer of the Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2014 – 2017 Member of the Institutional Scientific Safety Committee, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
2012 – 2016 Permanent Member of the Research Committee, Division of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
2012 – 2016 Chair of the Organizing and Scientific Committee - Research Day, Div. Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Accomplishment: Establishment since 2012 of a yearly Research Day program to enhance, promote and stimulate the research and collaboration-based activities in the Division of Pediatrics.
2012 – 2019 Coordinator of Research Seminars: Area of Infectious Diseases. Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy (IMII), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Conference Organization and External Committee Assignments
2020 – May-Aug Ad hoc Member, Biosafety Committee, Universidad de Santiago, Chile
2018 – November Organizer of the Symposia – “100 years since the 1918 pandemic: developments in vaccines and understanding pathogenesis”; as part of the XXIV Latin American Congress of Microbiology – ALAM 2018, Santiago, Chile.
Organizer of the Symposia – Outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging viruses: a new era of research, as part of the XXIV Latin American Congress of Microbiology – ALAM 2018, Santiago, Chile.
Duties: Organization and coordination of symposia, which included the coordination of talks of 6 international guest speakers
2016 – November Chair of the Emerging Viruses Symposium, XXXVIII Congress of the Chilean Microbiology Society, Valdivia, Chile
2016 – November Co-Organizer of first Chilean Colloquium on Emerging Viruses, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Chile.
2013 – November Chair of the Virology Symposium, XII Pan-American Association for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, November 2013, Puerto Varas, Chile.

GRANT REVIEWS RESPONSIBILITIES
2022 Reviewer, African Collaboration for Innovation in HIV/TB Training Program, Sub-Saharan African Network for TB/HIV Research Excellence (SANTHE)
2021 Review Panel, FONDECYT Regular - Medicine G2-G3 study section, CONICYT, Chile
2018 Review Panel, FONDECYT Regular – Biology 3 study section, CONICYT, Chile
2017 – 2019 Review Panel, Biotechnology Committee, CONICYT - Chile.
2017 – 2018 Coordinator of Review Panel, Infectious Diseases Research Areas, Program for the Sanitary Management in Aquaculture, SERNAPESCA, Chile
2017 Reviewer, Fulbright Scholar Program – Czech Republic
2016 - 2017 Panel Member, FONDECYT Regular - Medicine G2-G3 study section, CONICYT, Chile
2012 – Present Reviewer for CONICYT Chile for the Programs: PAI, Fondecyt, ECOS, BMBF

PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZATIONS
2014 – Present Member of the Microbiology Society of Chile
2012 – Present Member of the Biochemical and Molecular Biology Society of Chile
2009 – Present Member of the New York Academy of Sciences
2002 – Present Member of the American Society for Virology

JOURNAL RESPONSIBILITIES
2021 – Present Editor, Microbiology Spectrum
2019 – Present Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports
2018 – Present Review Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers in Plant Science and Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (areas: Virology and Virology and host)
2010 – Present Ad Hoc reviewer for numerous Journals, including:
Cell Reports
Clinical and Vaccine Immunology
Immunology Letters
Journal of Virology
Virology
Scientific Reports
Journal of Infectious Diseases
Emerging Virus and Infection
FEBS Open Bio
PLoS One
Virus Research
Journal of Visualized Experiments
Viruses
Gene
Journal of Viruses
Journal of General Virology
Biological Research
Journal of Medical Microbiology
Revista del Instituto de Salud Publica de Chile

1. Interviewed more than 57 times on topics related to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, vaccines and research activities in local media such as: CNN Chile, El Mercurio, Canal 13, Chile Vision, Las Ultimas Noticias, La Tercera, TVN (24 horas), ADN Radio, Program “El Metodo” from Spain, among others. March 2020 to April 2022.
2. Educational Seminar Explore Program: 1000 científicos 1000 aulas, “I feel bad, I think it’s a virus”. Santa Rosa de San Miguel School, San Miguel, Santiago. 31 de Octubre, 2018.
3. Educational Seminar Explore Program: 1000 científicos 1000 aulas, “I feel bad, I think it’s a virus”. Escuela Humberto Valenzuela García School, Estación Central, Santiago. 30 de Agosto, 2018.
4. Educational Seminar Explore Program: 1000 científicos 1000 aulas, “Me siento mal, Creo que es un virus”. Escuela Fernando Alessandri Rodríguez - Santiago Centro, Santiago. 16 de Agosto, 2018.
5. Program “Share Science: Virodome”, Festival WOMAD 2018 – Santiago, February 17-18, 2018.
6. Program “Share Science: Virodome”, Science Day, Program Explore, Alianza Francesa School, October 12, 2017.
7. Program “Share Science: Virodome”, XI Science and Technology Fiesta, Parque Metropolitano, October 6-7, 2017
8. Program “Share Science: Virodome”, 25 July-2017
9. Program “Share Science: Virodome”, 25 April-2017
10. Program “Share Science: Virodome”, Educational activity at School Monte Olivo – La Pintana, Santiago, Chile, July 4-5, 2016
11. School activity, Contagia Ciencia: “Virodomo”, School San Felipe - Pudahuel, Santiago, Chile, July 25-26, 2016
12. Participation of the “Share Science: Virodome” Educational activity at the Science and Technology Fair in the city of Osorno, Chile, August 21-26, 2016
13. School activity, Contagia Ciencia: “Virodomo”, School Germania del Verbo Divino - Puerto Varas, Chile, September 27-30, 2016
14. Participation of the “Share Science: Virodome” Educational activity at the X EXPLORA-CONICYT Science and Technology Fair - Mirador Interactive Museum (MIM), Santiago, Chile, November 6-8, 2016.
15. Documentary in Program “Chile Conectado”, 23 edition, Chilean National Television, 24 Horas (http://www.24horas.cl/programas/chileconectado/chile-conectado---capitulo-23-1798389), 22nd of May, 2015, Atacama, Chile.
16. Article in the Newspaper “El Lider”, entitled: “Investigadores rastrean el Virus de la Influenza entre las gaviotas”, to highlight the avian surveillance studies performed by our multidisciplinary team, 15th of December 2014, San Antonio, Chile.
17. Interviewed on CNN-Chile, and the Chilean National Television, 24 horas, about the effect and severity of the seasonal H1N1 virus in Chile, July 2013.
18. Development of training module and virology activities for Scientific Fair of the Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Chile 2013, during the XII Pan American Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Congress, November 9-10, Puerto Varas, Chile.
19. Motivational Presentation “what is a virus?”, Liceo Municipal De Batuco, 27 of November 2013.
20. Research Workshop for 5 High School Students, Liceo Municipal De Batuco, Tuesday 3rd of December, Laboratory of Molecular Virology, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile.
21. Our publication in Science Translational Medicine (2013, 5:187ra70), was highlighted in an article entitled: “ Sugars Shape Immune response to Flu” Chemical & Engineering News (USA), Volume 91, Issue 22, p. 30, June 3, 2013.
22. Article published by Diario Medico (Spain) entitled: Soluciones originales para el viejo problema de la gripe”, to highlight our findings of our article published in Science Translational Medicine (2013, 5:187ra70), June 2013.
23. PUC School of Medicine Website (Chile) published an article entitled: “Investigador de Pediatría UC realiza importantes avances en el conocimiento sobre mutaciones del virus de Influenza A-H1N1” to highlight our findings in Science Translational Medicine (2013, 5:187ra70), June 2013.