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Rafael A. Medina Silva

Associate Professor

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

Líneas de Investigación


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

Educación

  •  Biology, University of Western Sydney. Australia, 1997
  •  Bachelor of Science (Honors), University of Western Sydney. Australia, 1998
  •  Biomedical Sciences, University of New Mexico. Estados Unidos, 2007

Experiencia Académica

  •   Research and Field Biologist Full Time

    PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

    Medicine

    Santiago, Chile

    1999 - 2001

  •   Post Doctoral Fellow in Virology Full Time

    MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

    Medicine

    New York, Estados Unidos

    2007 - 2011

  •   Visiting Scientist Other

    UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS MEDICAL BRANCH AT GALVESTON

    Galveston, Chile

    2009 - 2009

  •   Visiting Assistant Professor Other

    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Medicine

    New York, Estados Unidos

    2011 - 2013

  •   Assistant Professor Full Time

    PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

    Medicine

    Santiago, Chile

    2011 - 2019

  •   Adjunct Investigator Other

    Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy

    Santiago, Chile

    2012 - 2019

  •   Adjunct Assistant Professor Other

    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    Medicine

    New York, Estados Unidos

    2013 - A la fecha

  •   Associate Professor Full Time

    PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

    Medicine

    Chile

    2019 - A la fecha

Experiencia Profesional

  •   Assistant Professor Full Time

    Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

    Santiago, Chile

    2011 - 2019

  •   Post Doctoral Fellowship in Virology Full Time

    Mount Sinai School of Medicine

    New York, Estados Unidos

    2007 - 2011

  •   Research and Field Biologist Full Time

    Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Virology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

    Santiago, Chile

    1999 - 2001

  •   Associate professor Full Time

    Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

    Chile

    2019 - A la fecha

Formación de Capital Humano


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


Difusión y Transferencia


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.


Premios y Distinciones

  •   Distinction, Doctoral Dissertation Defense

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Estados Unidos, 2007

    Distinction, Doctoral Dissertation Defense – Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, USA.

  •   Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Elected Student Representative to the Graduate and Professional Student Association

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Estados Unidos, 2005

    Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Elected Student Representative to the Graduate and Professional Student Association, University of New Mexico.

  •   Elected Student Representative to the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Steering Committee

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Chile, 2004

    Elected Student Representative to the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Steering Committee, University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

  •   Fogarty Actions for Building Capacity Graduate Fellow

    Fogarty International Center - National Institutes of Health

    Chile, 2001

    Fogarty Actions for Building Capacity Graduate Fellow (Training Grant 5D43TW01133).

  •   University of Western Sydney Nepean Summer Research Fellow.

    UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY

    Australia, 1999

    University of Western Sydney Nepean Summer Research Fellow. Stipend awarded by the CRC for Conservation and Management of Marsupials

  •   Mount Sinai School of Medicine Postdoctoral Travel Award

    MOUNT SINAI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

    Estados Unidos, 2011

    Mount Sinai School of Medicine Postdoctoral Travel Award to attend the Keystone Symposia Pathogenesis of Influenza: Virus-Host Interactions (E3), Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

  •   American Society for Virology Student Travel Award.

    American Society for Virology

    Chile, 2007

    Award to attend the annual meeting of the Society.

  •   University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Graduate Research and Development (GRD) Award

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Chile, 2007

    University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Graduate Research and Development (GRD) Award: To fund the Dissertation project, “Sin Nombre hantavirus-host interactions: in vivo inhibition and viral entry in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) model”.

  •   University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association Student Research Allocations Committee (SRAC) Award; University of New Mexico Office of Graduate Studies Research, Project and Travel (RTP) Award; and University of New Mexico Biomedic

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Chile, 2006

    University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association Student Research Allocations Committee (SRAC) Award; University of New Mexico Office of Graduate Studies Research, Project and Travel (RTP) Award; and University of New Mexico Biomedical Science Graduate Program Travel Award to attend the Thirteenth International Conference Negative Strand Viruses, Salamanca, Spain

  •   University of New Mexico Biomedical Science Graduate Program Travel Award

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Chile, 2005

    University of New Mexico Biomedical Science Graduate Program Travel Award to attend the XIII International Congress of Virology, San Francisco, USA.

  •   University of New Mexico Biomedical Science Graduate Program Travel Award

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Chile, 2004

    University of New Mexico Biomedical Science Graduate Program Travel Award to attend the 6th International Conference on Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome (HFRS), Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) and Hantaviruses, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

  •   2nd Place Oral Presentation, Biomedical Science Graduate Program Research Day

    UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO

    Chile, 2004

    2nd Place Oral Presentation, Biomedical Science Graduate Program Research Day, University of New Mexico School of Medicine.

  •   American Society for Virology Student Travel Award

    American Society for Virology

    Chile, 2002

    Award to attend the annual meeting of the society

  •   Paper of the year Award 2018

    PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

    Chile, 2018

    Paper of the year Award 2018 Division of Pediatrics, School of Medicine

  •   Young Investigator Award 2017

    PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

    Chile, 2017

    Young Investigator Award 2017 Division of Pediatrics, School of Medicine

  •   Bill and Melina Gates Foundation Travel Award

    Engineering Conferences International

    Chile, 2016

    Travel Award to attend the Vaccine Technology VI, Engineering Conferences International, Albufeira, Portugal


 

Article (42)

Assessment of Mutations Associated With Genomic Variants of SARS-CoV-2: RT-qPCR as a Rapid and Affordable Tool to Monitoring Known Circulating Variants in Chile, 2021
High prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 detection and prolonged viral shedding in stools: A systematic review and cohort study
Induction of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies by CoronaVac and BNT162b2 vaccines in naïve and previously infected individuals
Omicron variant Spike-specific antibody binding and Fc activity are preserved in recipients of mRNA or inactivated COVID-19 vaccines
A household case evidences shorter shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in naturally infected cats compared to their human owners
Avian orthoavulavirus 1 (Newcastle Disease virus) antibodies in five penguin species, Antarctic peninsula and Southern Patagonia
Circulation patterns of human seasonal Influenza A viruses in Chile before H1N1pdm09 pandemic
Evaluation of ELISA-Based Multiplex Peptides for the Detection of Human Serum Antibodies Induced by Zika Virus Infection across Various Countries
Prospective assessment of smell and taste impairment in a South-American coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cohort: Association with the need for hospitalization and reversibility of dysfunction
Pulmonary Artery Thrombosis in a Newborn With Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019
Treatment of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children
Ubiquitous influenza A virus in Chilean swine before the H1N1pdm09 introduction
Antigenic characterization of novel H1 influenza A viruses in swine
First report of porcine respirovirus 1 in South America
Influenza y otros virus en pingüinos antárticos: un modelo para entender cómo emergen y se propagan los virus en la naturaleza
Microbiome disturbance and resilience dynamics of the upper respiratory tract during influenza A virus infection
Respuesta inmune humoral inducida por la vacuna influenza en niños con diagnóstico de leucemia linfoblástica aguda
Symptom Profiles and Risk Factors for Hospitalization in Patients With SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A Large Cohort From South America
Clinical and epidemiological characterization of healthcare acquired influenza in critical ill patients
Novel penguin Avian avulaviruses 17, 18 and 19 are widely distributed in the Antarctic Peninsula
Infection of novel reassortant H1N2 and H3N2 swine influenza A viruses in the guinea pig model
Re-emergence of H3N8 Equine Influenza A virus in Chile, 2018
Defining the antibody cross-reactome directed against the influenza virus surface glycoproteins
Epidemiological investigations of the introduction of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Chile, 2013-2015
Novel Avulaviruses in Penguins, Antarctica
Avian Influenza Virus H5 Strain with North American and Eurasian Lineage Genes in an Antarctic Penguin
Infection in Health Personnel with High and Low Levels of Exposure in a Hospital Setting during the H1N1 2009 Influenza A Pandemic
Development of a Reverse Genetic System for Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus: Rescue of Recombinant Fluorescent Virus by Using Salmon Internal Transcribed Spacer Region 1 as a Novel Promoter
Glycosylations in the Globular Head of the Hemagglutinin Protein Modulate the Virulence and Antigenic Properties of the H1N1 Influenza Viruses
Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Isolated from Free-Ranging Northern Elephant Seals in 2010 off the Central California Coast
Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against hantavirus nucleocapsid protein and their use for immunohistochemistry on rodent and human samples
Development and Characterization of a Highly Specific and Sensitive SYBR Green Reverse Transcriptase PCR Assay for Detection of the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza Virus on the Basis of Sequence Signatures
Inefficient Control of Host Gene Expression by the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza A Virus NS1 Protein
Mutations in the NS1 C-terminal tail do not enhance replication or virulence of the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus
Oseltamivir-Resistant Variants of the 2009 Pandemic H1N1 Influenza A Virus Are Not Attenuated in the Guinea Pig and Ferret Transmission Models
Pandemic 2009 H1N1 vaccine protects against 1918 Spanish influenza virus
Protection of Mice against Lethal Challenge with 2009 H1N1 Influenza A Virus by 1918-Like and Classical Swine H1N1 Based Vaccines
Sin Nombre Virus Infection in Field Workers, Colorado, USA
Variations in the Hemagglutinin of the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Virus: Potential for Strains with Altered Virulence Phenotype?
Ecology, Genetic Diversity, and Phylogeographic Structure of Andes Virus in Humans and Rodents in Chile
Ribavirin, human convalescent plasma and anti-beta(3) integrin antibody inhibit infection by Sin Nombre virus in the deer mouse model
Use of IgG avidity to indirectly monitor epizootic transmisson of sin nombre virus in deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

BookSection (2)

Nairovirus molecular biology and interaction with host cells
The Epidemiology and Immunology of Influenza Viruses

EditorialMaterial (1)

1918 influenza virus: 100 years on, are we prepared against the next influenza pandemic?

Patent (1)

Influenza virus vaccines and uses thereof

Proyecto (25)

Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR): Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis and Transmission (CRIPT)
Cross-Center COVID-19 Research: Natural history of SARS-CoV-2 in comparison to Influenza A virus: a multi-site study focused in the Southern Hemisphere and equatorial regions.
Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Chile
Host determinants of resilience versus severe outcomes of acute respiratory viral infection
LABORATORIO DE BIOCONTENCIÓN NIVEL 3/4 CON UNIDAD ANIMAL
Factores virales y celulares relacionados con la capacidad de adaptación del virus influenza A a diversos hospederos.
Modulación de la antigenicidad del virus influenza mediante la incorporación de N-glicosilaciones en la hemaglutinina.
Fluomics=> The Next Generation
Network for Research on Molecular Pathogenesis of Emerging Viruses
Ecology of avian influenza virus in Antarctica=> the role of migratory birds in the introduction of influenza in the penguin population.
HOST DETERMINANTS OF SEVERE INFLUENZA VIRUS INFECTION
Anillo de Investigación en Ciencia y Tecnología 2014=> Molecular Pathogenesis of Emerging Viruses
Development and validation of Multiplex qRT-PCR tecniques for the real time diagnostic and typification of the porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome and influenza virus in industrial swine prodcution systems
Host Determinants of Severe Influenza Virus Infection
Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis (CRIP) - Avian and swine influenza virus surveillance activities in Central and South America.
EPIDEMIOLOGIA MOLECULAR DEL VIRUS DE INFLUENZA EN AVES SILVESTRES EN CHILE
II Concurso de Equipamiento Científico Tecnológico Mediano FONDEQUIP, 2013. “Improvement of the strategic equipment of the biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory of the School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile”
Center for Research on Influenza Pathogenesis (CRIP) - Expanding Surveillance in Latin America.
Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy (IMII)=> Molecular Virology – Influenza.
VIRULENCE AND ANTIGENIC DETERMINANTS OF INFLUENZA A VIRUS INFECTION IN HUMANS
Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS) Training Grant. Role=> PI
Project of Insertion of Human Capital to the Academy=> Strengthening the interdisciplinary research in molecular virology
University of New Mexico Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA) Graduate Research and Development (GRD) Award=> "Sin Nombre hantavirus-host interactions=> in vivo inhibition and viral entry in the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) model"
Fogarty Actions in Building Capacity Graduate Training Grant
Nepean Summer Research Award=> Funds awarded by the CRC for Conservation and Management of Marsupials, University of Western Sydney – Nepean, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Review (1)

Influenza A viruses: new research developments
52
Rafael Medina

Associate Professor

Pediatrics

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

11
Victor Neira

Associate Professor

Medicina Preventiva

Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias

Santiago, Chile

9
Marcela Ferres

Head of Department

Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

4
Juan Mena

Asistente de investigación

Instituto de Ciencias Agroalimentarias, Animales y Ambientales

Universidad de O'Higgins

San Fernando, Chile

4
Gonzalo Barriga

Profesor Asistente

Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

3
FERNANDO TORRES

Full Professor

Instituto de Biología

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE VALPARAISO

VALPARAISO, Chile

2
Marcelo Cortez

Académico

Biología

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile

2
Aldo Barrera

Postdoctor

Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología pediátrica

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

2
Arnoldo Riquelme

Profesor titular

Gastroenterología

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE CHILE, DEPARTAMENTO DE GASTROENTEROLOGÍA

Santiago, Chile

2
Eduardo Fuentes

Profesor Asistente

Ciencias de la Salud

Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

2
Monique Le Corre

Assistant Professor

Faculty of medicine, Pediatric division

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Cristóbal Briceño

Académico

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

Chile

1
Raúl Alegría

Apoyo Docente

Medicina Preventiva Animal

Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias - Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Daniela Rojas

Tecnólogo Médico

Patología y Medicina Preventiva

Universidad de Concepción

Chillán, Chile

1
Daniel González

Profesor Titular

Ciencia Animal

UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCIÓN

Chillán, Chile

1
Yesseny Vasquez

Academico

Facultad de Ciencias Médicas

Universidad de Santiago de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Naomi Ariyama

Asistente de Investigación/Estudiante de Doctorado

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Carolina Beltrán

Postdoc

Virología

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Tamara Tadich

Profesora Asociada

Ciencia Animal

Universidad Austral de Chile

Valdivia, Chile

1
rené ortega

Profesor Asistente

UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION

chillan, Chile

1
rene ortega

profesor asociado

patología y medicina preventiva

universidad de concepción

Chillán, Chile

1
Claudio Verdugo

Academico

Universidad Austral de Chile

Valdivia, Chile

1
Barbara Brito

Postdoctoral Fellow

United State Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Services

Greenport, Estados Unidos

1
CRISTÓBAL BRICEÑO

PROFESOR ASISTENTE

MEDICINA PREVENTIVA

UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE

SANTIAGO , Chile

1
Lucila Moreno

Associate Professor

Zoology

UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCIÓN

Concepción, Chile

1
Jenniffer Angulo

Asistente de Investigación

Pediatría e Inmunologia Pediátrica

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Rodrigo Tapia

Investigador

Departamento de Medicina Preventiva Animal

Universidad de Chile

Santiago, Chile

1
Eduardo Olivares

Director area biomedicina

Diagnóstico molecular

Bioingentech

santiago, Chile

1
Pablo Vial

Professor

School of Medicine

ICIM/UNIVERSIDAD DEL DESARROLLO - CLÍNICA ALEMANA

Santiago, Chile

1
Eugenio Spencer

DIRECTOR-INVESTIGADOR

BIOLOGIA

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE CHILE

Santiago de Chile, Chile

1
Carolina Mascayano

Académico

Ciencias del Ambiente

UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE CHILE, FACULTAD DE QUÍMICA Y BIOLOGIA

santiago, Chile

1
Francisco Melo

Profesor Titular

Genetica Molecular y Microbiologia

PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATOLICA DE CHILE

Santiago, Chile

1
Ramon Palma

Full Professor

Ecología

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas

Santiago, Chile

1
Catalina Pardo

Profesor Asistente

Dpto. de Salud del Niño y Adolescente

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Region Metropolitana, Chile

1
Cecilia Perret

Jefa de departamento

Enfermedades Infecciosas e Inmunología Pediátrica

Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile

Santiago, Chile