
Claudio Andres Hetz Flores
Deputy Director
INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS BIOMÉDICAS, FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
SANTIAGO, Chile
Neurociencia; Biologia del Desarrollo; Biologia Molecular; Cellular Stress Related to Protein Misfolding; Cell Signaling and Apoptosis; Neurodegeneration
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PhD. In Biomedical Sciences, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE. Chile, 2004
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Molecular Biotechnology Engineer, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE. Chile, 2000
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH. Estados Unidos, 2005
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow Other
DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE
Department of Cancer Immunology & AIDS
Estados Unidos
2004 - 2005
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow Other
HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Chile
2005 - 2007
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Profesor Asistente/ Investigador Principal Full Time
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Medicina
Santiago, Chile
2007 - 2010
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Adjunct Professor Other
HARVARD SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Estados Unidos
2009 - 2016
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Investigador Asistente Full Time
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Chile
2015 - A la fecha
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Profesor Adjunto Other
THE BUCK INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON AGING
Estados Unidos
2010 - A la fecha
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Full Professor and Principal Investigator Full Time
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Medicina
Chile
2010 - A la fecha
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Director Other
Santiago, Chile
2011 - A la fecha
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Deputy Director Full Time
Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI)
Santiago, Chile
2011 - A la fecha
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Profesor titular Full Time
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile
2010 - A la fecha
(i) Post-doctoral fellows
Dr. Soledad Matus (2007-2012), Dr. Danny Galleguillos (2008-2009), Dr. Rene Vidal (2008-2013); Dr. Andrea Paula (2007-2010; co-advisor); Dr. Karen Castillo (2008-2013), Dr. Gonzalo Encina (2009-2011), Dr. Ute Woehlbier (2010-2014), Dr. Gabriela Mercado (2011-2018), Danilo Bilches (2012-2017), Diego Rojas (2012-2015), Claudia Duran (2013-2017); Pablo Mardones (2013-2017), Paula Huerta (2014-2018); Amado Carreras (2014-2018), Alexis Rivas (2015-2019), Gabriela Martinez (2014-2018), Felipe Cabral (2016-2021), Hery Urra (2016-2018), Vicente Valenzuela (2016-2023), Paulina Falcon (2017-2018), Yannis Gerakis (2017-present), Alfredo Sagredo (2018-2022), Mei-Li Diaz (2019-2022), Philippe Pihan (2018-2024), Younis Hazari (2017-2024), Mateus Milani (2020-2024), Alexis Martinez (2018-2024),
(ii) PhD Thesis
Ph.D. in Biochemistry, University of Chile.
Diego Rojas. (2008-2012) Awarded as Best PhD thesis of Chile, Allende and Connelly Foundation, Chile 2013. Clara Quiroga (2006-2010) (co-advisor). Maria Inés Díaz (2008-2015). Maria Jesus Cerna (2019-2024).
PhD. Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile.
Melissa Calegaro (2007-2012), Mauricio Torres (2007-2013), Gabriela Martinez (2010-2014), Victor Hugo Cornejo (2011-2015), Hery Urra (2011-2014) Awarded as Best PhD thesis of Chile, Chilean Cell Biology Society, Chile 2016 (Federico Leighton Award), Estephanie Dufei (2012-2016), Vicente Valenzuela (2012-2016), Philippe Pihan (2012-2018), Denisse Sepulveda (2013-2018) Awarded as Best PhD thesis of Chile, Chilean Cell Biology Society, Chile 2019. Luis Osorio (2015-2019), Paulina Troncoso (2016-2020), Matias Gonzalez (2016-2020), Celia Limia (2017-2020), Juan Francisco Silvia (2024-Present).
PhD. Medical Sciences, University of Chile.
Lucas Gonzalez (2023-Present), Lene Troncoso (2024-Present).
PhD. Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Chile.
Pamela Valdés (2008-2013).
Ph.D Pharmacology, University of Chile.
Fernanda Lisbona (2010-2014). Awarded with the Loreal Woman in Science Price (2011) and the RELAB Prize (2012). Rodrigo Perez (2016-2019), Paulina Torres (2017-2021).
PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology, P. Catholic University of Chile
Alexis Martinez (2012-2016). Co-mentored with Dr Alejandra Alvarez.
PhD in Neurosciences, P. Universidad Católica de Chile.
Maritza Oñate (2013-2018).
PhD in nutrition, University of Chile
María José Hormazábal (2016-2019). Luis Gonzalez (2023-present)
(ii) Master’s students
Master in Biotechnology, Harvard University, USA
Peter Thielen (2010-2011). Awarded with the Dean's Prize for Outstanding ALM Thesis.
Master in Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile
Vicente Valenzuela (2009-2010) Awarded as Best Master´s thesis of Chile, Chilean Cell Biology Society, Chile 2012. Andrés Henriquez (2009-2012), Fernanda Lisbona (2007-2008), Maritza Onate (2011-2016) Awarded as Best Master´s thesis of Chile, Chilean Cell Biology Society, Chile 2016, Valentina Castillo (2013-2016), Leslie Bargsted (2013-2016) Pablo Rozas (2014-2018).
Master in Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry Sciences, University of Chile.
José Ignacio Astorga (2018-2020)
(iv) Undergraduate Students
Molecular Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Science, University of Chile: Sebastian Zamorano (2007-2009), Andrés Henriquez (2007-2009), Vicente Valenzuela (2008-2009), Amparo Zuleta (2010-2011) Catherine Andreu (2011-2012), Leslie Bargted (2012-2013), Valentina Castillo (2012-2014), Martin Sepúlveda (2014-2016).
Biotechnology, Universidad Mayor: Camila Gherardell (2013), Miguel Gonzalez (2014-2015). Biochemistry, University of Chile; Javiera Fernanda Acevedo (2016-2018).
Biotechnology, Universidad Andres Bello. Paloma Moraga (2019-2020). Karina Espinosa (2021-2023).
INTELECTUAL PROPERTY Files: PATENTS and LICENCES
Inventors: Claudio Hetz
Title: Reprogramming Proteostasis Network for Sustaining Brain Function During Aging and Extending Health Span.
U.S. Patent Application No.: 63/631,111.
Filed: April 8, 2024 Ref: 94127.10.USP1. Provisional Application Filed.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz and Laurie Glimcher,
Title: MODULATION OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE BY MODULATING XBP-1 ACTIVITY. APLLICATION NUMBER: US 13/000,921. PCT number: PCT/US2009/048321.
Publication number US 20110142799 A1 (16/6/2011), also refered as WO2010008860A1.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz and Gabriela Martinez.
Title: AAV/XBP1s-ha virus, gene therapy method and use thereof in the optimisation and improvement of learning, memory and cognitive capacities
Chilean application number: 3590-2014(2014). Submitted date 30/12/2014.
International application number: PCT/CL2015/000069. Submitted date 24/12/2015.
International publication number: WO2016106458. Publication date 7/7/2016.
PCT national phases: USA and EPO.
Status: patent pending.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz and Vicente Valenzuela.
Title: Method for genetic treatment using the AAV-XBP1s/GFP virus and use thereof in the prevention and treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Chilean application number: 201503024 (2015). Submitted date 9/10/2015.
International application number: PCT/CL2016/000056. Submitted date 30/09/2016.
International publication number: WO2017059554A1. Publication date 13/04/2017
PCT national phases: USA, EPO and Australia.
Publication number CY1125031T1.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz and Rene Vidal.
Title: AAV/UPR-plus virus, UPR-plus fusion protein, genetic treatment method and use thereof in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as parkinson's disease and huntington's disease.
Chilean application number: 3242-2015 (2015). Submitted date 4/11/2015.
International application number: PCT/CL2016/000070. Submitted date 4/11/2016.
International publication number: PCT WO2017075729A1. Publication date 11/05/2017.
PCT national phases: Australia, EPO and Japan.
Publication number US11795476B2.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz and Paula Huerta.
Title: AAV-IGF2 as a genetic method to treat protein misfolding disorders such as Huntington´s disease.
Chilean application number: 20160322(2016). Submitted date 21/12/2016.
International application number: PCT/CL2017/000040. Submitted date 21/12/2017.
International publication number: WO2018112672A. Publication date 28/06/2018.
Status: patent pending.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz, Alexis, Carla del Porte, Marcelo Kogan and Daniela Jara.
Title: Use of leaf extracts from Ugni Molinae for the treatment of protein misfolding disorders.
Chilean application number: 3359-2017(2017). Submitted date 26/12/2017.
Status: patent pending.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz, Felipe Cabral.
Title: Treatment of aging or age-related disorders using XBP1.
Provisional application for patent at USPTO, application number 62800229. Submitted 01/02/2019.
Status: patent pending.
Inventors: Claudio Hetz, Felipe Cabral, Gabriela Martinez, Vicente Valenzuela, Rene Vidal.
Title: liscencing of the use of AAV-XBP1 and UPRplus for the treatment of ALS and parkinson´s disease. Licensed to Handl Therapeutics to develop clinical trials.
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Santander Bank Award
Banco Santander
Chile, 2016
For outstanding contributions to University research on the area of neurological diseases
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KIA International Award
Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology
Irán, 2015
First place, for invaluable achievements and contributions to the development of science and technology. In addition, this price was accompanied by an UNESCO special awar
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Target Validation Award
Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research
Estados Unidos, 2014
Para desarrollar terapia genica para el mal de Parkinson.
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The Eppendorf & Science Prize for Neurobiology.
Science
Chile, 2008
Selected finalist by the editors of Science magazine as outstanding young scientist.
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Highly Ranked Scholars™
Scholar GPS
Estados Unidos, 2024
Selected in the top 0.05% of Highly Ranked Scholars™ for an exceptional performance in various fields, disciplines, and specialties by Scholar GPS™.
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Most cited scientist in the world
Clarivate (Web of Science)
Chile, 2023
Awarded by Clarivate (Web of Science) as a “Highly Cited Scientist”, among the TOP 1% most cited scientist in the world
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Most cited scientist in Chile
Research.com
Chile, 2023
Selected by Research.com as one of the most cited scientist in Chile in the field.
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Highly Cited Scientist
Clarivate (Web of Science)
Chile, 2022
Awarded by Clarivate (Web of Science) as a “Highly Cited Scientist”, among the TOP 1% most cited scientist in the world: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/2418833
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Most cited scientist in Chile
Research.com
Chile, 2022
Selected by Research.com as the most cited scientist in Chile in the field.
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Top 2% of most cited scientists
Elsevier and Stanford
Chile, 2022
Selected in the top 2% of most cited scientists by a study performed by Elsevier and Stanford:
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WSIS Prize 2022 Champion
WSIS Prize 2022 Champion
Chile, 2022
The project was among the top five most voted in your category.
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Highly Cited Scientist
Clarivate (Web of Science)
Chile, 2022
Awarded by Clarivate (Web of Science) as a “Highly Cited Scientist”, among the TOP 1% most cited scientist in the world.
Assays to Study IRE1 Activation and Signaling |
Desafíos en el diagnóstico de enfermedad de Creutzfeldt-Jakob: Caso clínico |
Meet our associate editor |
BCL-2 protein family. Essential regulators of cell death. Preface. |
Preface |
Saved by the Matrix: UPR Independent Survival under ER Stress |
The proapoptotic BCL-2 family member BIM mediates motoneuron loss in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
PROTEIN HOMEOSTASIS Modeling UPR adaptive responses |
ERp57 as a novel cellular factor controlling prion protein biosynthesis: Therapeutic potential of protein disulfide isomerases |
ERp57 in neurodegeneration and regeneration |

Francisca Bronfman
Full Professor
Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas
Universidad Andrés Bello
Santiago, Chile

Alejandra Alvarez
Full professor
Cell and Molecular Biology
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE CHILE, FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS
Santiago, Chile

SERGIO LAVANDERO
Director
Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases (ACCDiS)
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE, FAC CIENCIAS QUÍMICAS Y FARMACÉUTICAS
Santiago, Chile

Mario Chiong
Profesor
Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Andrew Quest
Full Professor
Biologia Celular y Molecular
FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Santiago, Chile

Cecilia Vergara
Profesor Asociado
Biología
DEPARTAMENTO BIOLOGIA, FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS, U. DE CHILE
Santiago, Chile

Claudio Hetz
Deputy Director
INSTITUTO DE CIENCIAS BIOMÉDICAS, FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
SANTIAGO, Chile
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Alicia Colombo
Profesora Asociada/Director Científico Biobanco de Tejidos y Fluidos de la Universidad de Chile
Departamento de Anatomía Patológica
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Andrés Couve
Profesor Titular
Neurociencia
FACULTAD DE MEDICINA, UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Santiago, Chile

Agustin Martinez
Profesor Titular
Instituto de Neurociencia
UNIVERSIDAD DE VALPARAÍSO, CENTRO INTERDISCIPLINARIO DE NEUROCIENCIAS DE VALPARAÍSO
Valparaíso, Chile

Rosalba Lagos
Professor
Biología
UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE, FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS, DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGÍA
Santiago, Chile

Ricardo Armisen
Associate Professor
Centro de Genética y Genómica
Universidad del Desarrollo
Santiago, Chile

JUAN PABLO HENRIQUEZ
Associate Professor
Cell Biology
UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCIÓN, FACULTAD DE CIENCIAS BIOLÓGICAS, DEPARTAMENTO DE BIOLOGÍA CELULAR
Concepción, Chile

Pablo Henny
Profesor Asociado
Anatomía Normal
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Alexis Rivas
Investigador Postdoctoral
Instituto de Neurociencias Biomédicas
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Luis Barros
Principal Research
Laboratorio Biología Molecular
CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS CIENTÍFICOS
Valdivia, Chile

Nelson Osses
Associated Professor
Institute of Chemistry
PONTIFICIA UNIVERSIDAD CATÓLICA DE VALPARAÍSO
Valparaíso, Chile

Tatiana Adasme
Coordinadora de Estudios
Oficina de Apoyo a la Investigación Clínica
Universidad Chile
Santiago, Chile

Karen Castillo
Académica Investigadora
,Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM)
Universidad Catolica del Maule
Talca, Chile

Rodrigo Troncoso
Assistant professor
Universidad de Chile, Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos
Santiago de Chile, Chile

Brigitte van Zundert
Full Professor
UNIVERSIDAD ANDRÉS BELLO, CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES BIOMÉDICAS
Santiago, Chile

Vicente Torres
Associate Professor
Institute for Research in Dental Sciences
FACULTAD DE ODONTOLOGÍA - UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Santiago, Chile

Lisette Leyton
Full Professor
Cell and Molecular Biology
FACULTAD DE MEDICINA UNIVERSIDAD DE CHILE
Santiago, Chile

Ariel Castro
Full Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION
concepciòn, Chile

Clara Quiroga
Profesor Asistente Adjunto
División de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Fabián Jaña
Profesor Asistente
Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud
Universidad de Aysén
Coyhaique, Chile

Gonzalo Encina
Investigador
Instituto de Ciencias e Innovación en Medicina
Universidad del Desarrollo
Santiago, Chile

Arlek Gonzalez
INVESTIGADOR POST-DOCTORAL
CENTRO INTERDISCIPLINARIO DE NEUROCIENCIA, UNIVERSIDAD DE VALPARAISO
Valparaiso, Chile

Silvana Zanlungo
Full Professor
Gastroenterology
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Jimena Sierralta
Full Professor
Neuroscience
Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Patricio Godoy
Group leader
System sToxicology
Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors at the TU Dortmund
Dortmund, Alemania

Julio Cardenas
Associated Professor
Center for Integrative Biology
Universidad Mayor de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Andrea Paula-Lima
Assistant Professor
Institute for research in Dental Sciences
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Jose Matamala
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Department of Neurological Science
University of Chile
Santiago, Chile

Fabiola Osorio
Associate Professor
Programa Disciplinario de Inmunologia
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Felipe Court
Full Professor and Director
Center for Integrative Biology
Universidad Mayor
Huechuraba, Chile

Roberto Bravo
Assistant Professor
Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INTA), Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Víctor Cornejo
Profesor Asistente
Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Karina Palma
Postdoctorado
Instituto de Neurociencia Biomédica BNI
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Gonzalo Cancino
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Biological Sciences
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Melissa Calegaro
Principal Investigator, head lab
Research Vice Presidency
Universidad Mayor
Santiago, Chile

Claudia Duran-Aniotz
Profesor Asociado
Escuela de Psicología
Universidad Adolfo Ibánez
Santiago, Chile

Natalia Salvadores
Profesora Asistente
Centro de Resiliencia, Adaptación y Mitigación
Universidad Mayor de Chile
Temuco, Chile

Cheril Tapia
Profesor Asistente
Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia
Universidad San Sebastián
Santiago, Chile

Valentina Valenzuela
Investigador Asociado
Centro de Biotecnologia
Universidad de Concepción
Concepción, Chile

Pedro Chana Cuevas
Profesor Titular
Facultad de Ciencias Medicas
Universidad de Santiago
Santiago, Chile

Gino Corsini
Director Instituto Ciencias Biomédicas
Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas
Universidad Autónoma de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Catherine Andreu
Estudiante de Doctorado
Escuela de Psicología
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

Ute Wohlbier
Associate Professor
Center for Integrative Biology
Universidad Mayor de Chile
Santiago, Chile

ANDRES KLEIN
Assistant Professor/Director (Head) Center for Genetics and Genomics; Director, PhD Program in Sciences and Innovation in Medicine
Centro de Genética y Genómica
Universidad del Desarrollo-Clínica Alemana
SANTIAGO, Chile

Rodrigo Troncoso
Associate Professor
Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos
Santiago, Chile

Zully Pedrozo
Associated Professor
Physiology and Biophysical
Universidad de Chile
SANTIAGO DE CHILE, Chile

Rodrigo Herrera
Group Leader (staff member)
Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core Facility
Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology
Magdeburg, Alemania

Janina Borgonovo
PhD
Programa de Anatomía y Biología del Desarrollo
Universidad de Chile, Facultad de Medicina
Santiago, Chile

Cristina Pinto
Doctor en ciencias biologicas
Centro de Biotecnología
Universidad de Concepción
Concepción, Chile

Gabriela Martinez
Profesor Asociado
Filosofía y educación
Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación
santiago, Chile

Alexis Martinez
Investigador postdoctoral senior
Facultad de medicina
Instituto de Neurcoeincia Biomedica
Santiago, Chile

Jorge Ojeda
Académico investigador
Ciencias Básicas y Morfología
Universidad Católica de la Santisima Concepción
Concepción, Chile

Francisco Fuentes
Profesor Asistente
Departamento de Microbiología
Universidad de Concepción
Concepción, Chile

Paulina Troncoso
Bioquimica PhD
Laboratorio Clínico Banco de Sangre Anatomía Patológica
Clínica Alemana de Santiago
Santiago, Chile

Valentina Castillo
Investigadora Postdoctoral
Instituto de Ingeniería Biológica y Médica
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Santiago, Chile

sandra espinoza
asistente de investigacion
Laboratorio Neuroinmunologia
Fundacion Ciencias para la Vida/Universidad San Sebastian
Santiago, Chile

Estefania Lopez
Lab Manger /Asistente de investigacion
Neurociencias
Universidad de Chile
Santiago, Chile