Enfermedades infecciosas; Microbiología; Inmunologia; Microbiota; Métodos de diagnóstico; Probióticos; Neumonía; Microorganismos Patógenos; Interacción hospedero-patógeno; Genética molecular; Vacunas; Transferencia lateral de genes; Inflamación

Undergraduate and Master thesis
- Daniela Araya, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology (completed in August 2009).
- Rodrigo Lizana, Universidad Andrés Bello, thesis to obtain the degree of Master of Biochemistry (completed in March 2010).
- Tania Quiroz, Universidad de Santiago, thesis on Biochemistry (completed in May 2010).
- Daniela Pizarro, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the degree of Biologist (completed in August 2011).
- Francisco Javier Salazar Echegarai, Master's Degree candidate, Universidad de Chile (Graduation date July 2014)
- Abner Espinoza, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology (completed in December 2011). Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Valentina Sebastián, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology (Graduation date August 2012). Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Hernán Peñaloza, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology (Graduation date December 2012). Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Geraldyne Salazar, Thesis on Biochemistry (Graduation date August 2015). Universidad de Valparaíso.
- Bárbara Schultz, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology (Graduation date December 2012). Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Carolina Paduro, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Evaluación del efecto de la inmunización de ratones IL-10-/con cepas mutantes de Salmonella Typhimurium en el inicio y severidad de IBD. Research Unit finished in December 2014. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Isidora Suazo, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: “Role of IL-10 in the early inflammatory response of the central nervous system against infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae”. Research Unit finished in July 2015. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Lorena Navarrete, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Frequency of excision of ROD21 during phases of growth in vitro of Salmonella Enteritidis. Research Unit finished in July 2015. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Omar Vallejos, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Role of the enzyme Hemoxygenase-1 in the severity of infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Research Unit Finished, December 2016. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Loreani Noguera, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Role of SEN1993 protein in the excision of pathogenicity island ROD21 in Salmonella. Research Unit Finished, December 2016. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Diego Ulloa, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Búsqueda de elementos genéticos móviles posiblemente asociados a la virulencia de Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258. Research Unit finished in July 2017. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Fernanda Balmaceda, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Induction of interleukin 10 in neutrophils by Salmonella Typhimurium. Research Unit finished in July 2018. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
-Loreani Noguera, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Characterization of host adaptation in Gram positive bacteria of clinical importance: Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Graduation date March 2019. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Pedro Silva, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Characterization of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium dissemination in a double KO Tmem176a and Tmem176b murine model. Graduation date August 2019. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Daniela Moreno, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Standardization of an in vitro model of persistence of Salmonella Typhimurium in macrophages. Research Unit finished in December 2019. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Guillermo Hoppe, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: In silico characterization of the gene backbone and encoded proteins of Enterobacteriaceae-associated ROD21-like genomic islands. Research Unit finished in December 2020. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Daniela Moreno, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: In vitro evaluation of survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in RAW264.7 cells against different treatments that modulate heme oxygenase-1 activity. Graduation date: August 2021. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Guillermo Hoppe, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Characterization of SEN1990, a putative transcriptional regulator from the MarR family encoded in the pathogenicity island ROD21. Graduation date: Pending. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Francisca Román, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Evaluation of the role of MDSC in infection with human metapneumovirus. Research Unit finished in June 2021. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Javiera Sepúlveda, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Effect of gut microbiota dysbiosis on the severity of hMPV infection in the lung. Research Unit finished in December 2021. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Eduardo Catalán, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Evaluation of the effects of respiratory tract infection with metapneumovirus on the microbiota. Research Unit finished in June 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Pablo Reyes, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Characterization of chuS expression and its relationship with carbon monoxide release in Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Yohana Martínez, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Characterization of the humoral and cellular immune response in mice immunized with recombinant RBD peptides from the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Sofía Campos, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory potential of acetic acid bacteria isolated from Chilean apple cider vinegar. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Valentina Scaff, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Inflammatory bowel disease course: RhoA/RHO kinase as a key player in the interplay between vitamin D status and both gut endothelial dysfunction and intestinal microbiota. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Franco Bassi, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Evaluation of the safety and protection of an attenuated bacterial vaccine against an infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in a mouse model. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Camila Pardo, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium and Enteritidis induce differential release of METs from macrophages. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- María José Cristi, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Evaluation of the formation of NETs by the gasdermin pathway by infection of two serovars of Salmonella enterica. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Tomás González, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Role of IL-17A in secondary viral infections. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Matías Cuevas, Research Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Contribution of the SOS response on the excision of the ROD21 pathogenicity island of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. Research Unit finished in December 2022. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Javiera Sepúlveda, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Evaluation of the effects of respiratory tract infection with metapneumovirus on the microbiota and intestinal inflammation in early and late stages. Graduation date: April 2023. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Francisca Román, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Analysis of the conservation in Spike protein sequences in SARS-CoV-2 variants and their relevance for universal immunization against the virus. Graduation date: September 2023. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Lucas Vásquez, Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Construction of a mutant strain Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis PT4 ?ROD21 and determination of its effect on bacterial growth and plasmid maintenance. Research Unit finished in December 2023. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Allison Salazar, Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biology. Title: Correlation between thyroid hormone levels and the immune response after CoronaVac® vaccination. Research Unit finished in December 2023. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Pascal Salas, Unit BIO296 to obtain the licentiate degree in Biochemistry. Title: Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 system for PmrA gene deletion in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Gibson Assembly for pUC19_?aroA plasmid construction. Research Unit finished in December 2023. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Pablo Reyes, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Evaluation of ChuS’ impact on Escherichia coli Nissle 1917’s ability to reduce inflammation in the context of inflammatory bowel disease. Graduation date: Pending. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Franco Bassi, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Evaluation of a potential live attenuated vaccine candidate against Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in a murine model. Graduation date: Pending. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
- Valentina Scaff, Thesis to obtain the degree of Biochemist. Title: Evaluation of dietary supplementation with vitamin D for reducing inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases. Graduation date: Pending. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.

PhD thesis
- Hugo Tobar, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (qualify exam approved in September 2009. Thesis title: “Escisión de la Isla de Patogenicidad ROD21 y su impacto en la virulencia de Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis”. Graduated, December 2012.
- Sebastián Riquelme, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Thesis title: “The role of the carbon monoxide-producing enzyme heme-oxygenase 1 in the immunogenicity of dendritic cells”. Graduated, August 2015.
- Pamela Nieto, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in August 2011. Thesis title: ‘‘Thyroid hormone deficiency during pregnancy and its effects on the T cell response against a Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in the offspring’’. Graduated, November 2015.
- Catalina Pardo-Roa, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in April 2015. Thesis title: “in vivo evaluation of unstable ROD21 pathogenicity island excision of Salmonella Enteritidis in the regulation of its genes expression during different stages of the infection cycle”. Graduated, July 2018.
- Hernán Peñaloza, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in June 4th, 2015. Thesis title: “Neutrophils contribution to the modulation of the airways immune response at early stage of bacterial infection”. Graduated, August 2018.
- Loni Berkowitz, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in October 3th, 2015. Thesis title: “Effect of cigarette smoking on the functionality of Paneth cells and their importance in the development and progression of Crohn's Disease”. Graduated, November 2018.
- Valentina Sebastian, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in June 4th, 2015. Thesis title: “Heme Oxygenase 1 (HMOX1) contribution to modulating the severity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection in mice”. Graduated, December 2019.
- Irenice Coronado, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in June 2nd, 2015. Thesis title: “Characterization of bacterial heme oxygenase ChuS of probiotic strain E. coli Nissle 1917 and its potential therapeutic uses”. Graduated, April 2020.
- Liliana González, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in October 24th, 2017. Thesis title: “Evaluation of the ability of neutrophils to induce anti-inflammatory responses in the airways through the recognition of molecular patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae”. Thesis project in progress. Estimated date of thesis defense: August 2020.
- Bárbara Schultz, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in June 28th, 2017. Thesis title: “Role of Ly6G+ cell during systemic infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in mice”. Thesis project in progress. Estimated date of thesis defense: December 2020.
- Alejandro Piña, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in June 14th, 2017. Thesis title: “Chromosomal Excision Regulation of the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis Pathogenicity Island ROD21”. Thesis project in progress. Estimated date of thesis defense: December 2020.
- Orlando Acevedo, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in August 8th, 2017. Thesis title: “Contribution of Fc gamma receptor III to immunity against respiratory infectious agents”. Thesis project in progress. Estimated date of thesis defense: December 2020.
- Isidora Suazo, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved in August 7th, 2019. Thesis title: ‘‘Virulence regulation in Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis by pathogenicity island excision’’. Estimated date of thesis defense: December 2022.
- Pedro Silva, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Physiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam approved on August 13th, 2021. Thesis title: ‘‘Characterization of neutrophil subpopulations produced in response to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection in a murine model’’. Estimated date of thesis defense: December 2024.
- Omar Vallejos, thesis to obtain the degree of PhD in Biological Sciences, major in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Qualify exam: pending. Thesis title: ‘‘ Development of a probiotic bacterial formulation with anti-inflammatory properties to prevent and treat inflammatory, autoimmune and infectious diseases’’. Estimated date of thesis defense: December 2026.

-Organización Actividad de Proyección al Medio Externo: Ciclo de Cine Científico con la película Epidemia, 4 funciones para alumnos de 4to medio (aproximadamente 535 estudiantes y profesores), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia. 20 y 21 de agosto del 2015, Quintero – Chile.
-Organización Actividad de Proyección al Medio Externo: Ciclo de Cine Científico con la película Epidemia, 3 funciones para alumnos de 4to medio (aproximadamente 350 estudiantes y profesores), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia. 2 y 3 de noviembre del 2015, Antofagasta – Chile.
-Organización Actividad de Proyección al Medio Externo: Ciclo de Charlas Científicas: Agente Infecciosos y Sistema Inmune para alumnos de 3ro y 4to medio (aproximadamente 100 estudiantes y profesores), Liceo Andrés Sabella, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Instituto Milenio de Inmunología e Inmunoterapia. 4 de noviembre del 2015, Antofagasta, Chile.
-Participación en X Fiesta de la Ciencia y la Tecnología de EXPLORA, Stand del Laboratorio de Patogénesis Microbiana, Octubre 2016 en el Museo Interactivo Mirador, Santiago, Chile.
-Participación en XI Fiesta de la Ciencia y la Tecnología de EXPLORA, Encargado Stand del Laboratorio de Patogénesis Microbiana, Octubre 2017 en el Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile.
-Charla sobre Vacunas en Escuela Municipal Violeta Parra de La Pintana. 14 de Noviembre de 2018.
-Charla “Equilibrio entre el Intestino y Sistema Inmune: Rol de los microorganismos”, Bloque “Conciencia del cuerpo”, Congreso Futuro 2018, Santiago, Chile. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koGvo-rZ9wQ
-Participación en XII Fiesta de la Ciencia y la Tecnología de EXPLORA, Encargado del Stand del Laboratorio de Patogénesis Microbiana, Octubre 2018 en el Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile.
-Participación en bloque “Guatita llena, corazón contento” Programa “Por la Razón y la Ciencia”, 2019 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDIgogLvsQ).
-Organización Ciclo Cine Científico 2019. Exhibición de películas “Food as Medicine” y “Contagio”. 22 y 23 de Julio del 2019, Cine Centro de Extensión, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
-Participación en Mesa de conversación: Corazón de lechuga – Feria de Autores de Santiago (FAS). 28 de Septiembre del 2019. Centro Cultural Gabriela Mistral, Santiago, Chile.
-Participación en XIII Fiesta de la Ciencia y la Tecnología de EXPLORA, Encargado del Stand del Laboratorio de Patogénesis Microbiana, Octubre 2019 en el Parque Metropolitano, Santiago, Chile.