Academic education

Education

PhD. in Molecular Medicine, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

2016 – 2022

Specialization in Cancer.

Title of Doctoral Thesis: “Evolution of bivalve transmissible cancers”

Grade: Excellent Cum Laude (In Spain, doctoral theses that are graded as ‘excellent’ may also be awarded a ‘cum laude’ mark which requires unanimous agreement among the members of the evaluation board done with a secret ballot).

Remarks: awarded the ‘international mention’

Deposit date: 10-06-2022

Date of defence: 07-09-2022

Trailer

PhD thesis abstract: Cancer cells accumulate mutations that allow them to grow uncontrollably and eventually acquire the ability to metastasize, that is, spread to other parts of the body. Transmissible or contagious cancers are large-scale metastases in which the cancer cells spread to other individuals beyond the body that originated them. This doctoral thesis provides further insights into the evolution of transmissible cancers in bivalves through the inspection of 7,290 cockles and clams and genomic and transcriptomic analyses of 643 bivalves. The findings reported include multiple mitochondrial horizontal transfers, co-infections of two contagious cancer lineages affecting a single individual, histogenesis for two independent cancer lineages and the description of a novel interspecic contagious cancer. Enjoy the reading! Download here my PhD Thesis

MSc. in Higher Education Teaching, Universidad Europea, Spain.

2023 – expected for Feb 2025

Theoretical training in teaching and educational research · Grade: 9,94/10 · ECTS: 60 · 2 classes of 20 students for generation 2023/2025 · More info

Official online master’s degree of 60 ECTS to specialize in university teaching in addition to deepening in management, research, and innovation so I can be a teacher who adapts to different environments and pedagogical approaches.

Master’s Thesis: “Educational innovation in marine biology: impact of a gamified teaching approach on the perception and learning of medical research.” (6ECTS)

Issuance degree date: 03/03/2025

Master thesis abstract: This study explores the impact of a gamified methodology on marine biology education. “SEA game: Search, Explore and Apply” is proposed as an innovative strategy to enhance knowledge and perceptions of medical research involving marine organisms while also improving motivation and research skills in higher education students. The objectives include designing and implementing the SEA game, assessing its impact on active learning, and comparing outcomes between two international cohorts. The game’s narrative guides students through three missions: identifying biomedical challenges, proposing innovative solutions using marine organisms, and linking historical discoveries to their biological models. The intervention involved 27 master’s and undergraduate students in France and Chile. Results reveal a significant increase in interdisciplinary knowledge, research skills such as critical thinking and creativity, and motivation for learning. The SEA game significantly improved students’ understanding of the connection between marine biology and medicine while fostering essential skills. This study highlights the potential of gamification to transform education in STEM disciplines by promoting interdisciplinarity and active learning.

MSc. in Bioinformatics, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain.

2015 – 2016

Theoretical and practical training in bioinformatics · Grade: 8.48/10 · ECTS: 60 · 30 students for generation 2015/2016 · More info

Compulsory modules: Programming in Bioinformatics (6 ETCS) to learn core tools plus basic techniques and Core Bioinformatics (6ECTS) to learn tools and resources used in Omics research.

Elective module: Genomics (12ECTS), knowledge and technical skills required in genomic analysis.

Professional Practices: Mobile Genomes lab at Universidade de Vigo under the supervision of Dr. Jose M. C. Tubío (15ECTS).

Master’s Thesis: “The Full Catalogue of L1 Active Loci in the Cancer Genome” (15ECTS)

Issuance degree date: 29/07/2016

Master thesis abstract: Retrotransposons are repetitive elements that are constantly on the move. They copy and insert themselves at new sites in the host genome generating structural variability of potential functional importance for the cancer cell. In this master thesis, we catalogued the full set of L1 germline elements with somatic activity in the largest cancer dataset available, which consisted of 2,704 cancer samples from 39 different tumour types. Overall, ~46% of analyzed genomes have a least one L1 somatic retrotransposition event and we reported a total of 109 of germline L1 source loci with somatic retrotransposition activity in the cancer genome. Download here my Master Thesis

BSc. in Biology, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

2011 – 2015

Studies of General Biological Sciences · Grade: 7.55/10 · ECTS: 243.5 · 200 places for generation 2011/2015 · More info

International exchanges: Third academic year (2013/2014) abroad at Université Libre de Bruxelles (Belgium) with an Erasmus scholarship. Subjects from BSc. Biology and BSc. Bioengineering and development of an Experimental Research Project in Arabidopsis thaliana and a Bibliographic Research Project about Human Health and Organic Agriculture.

Compulsory subjects: Mathematics, Biophysics, Chemistry, Geology, Cellular Biology, Fundaments of Animal and Plant Biology, Biostatistics, Tissues and organs Biology, Basic Techniques, Botany, Zoology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Developmental Biology, Biogeochemistry, Plant Physiology, Animal Physiology, Microbiology, Human Physiology, Ecology, Histology, Evolutionary Genetics, Environmental Physiology, Anthropology, Scientific English, Drafting and execution of projects, Molecular Biology.

Optional subjects: Virology, Human Genetics, Phytopathology, Plant Biodiversity and Conservation, Animal Biodiversity and Conservation.

Professional Internships: 3 months as a guide in a museum (CIAC) and 6 months as a research assistant in the Ecology department of the University.

Degree Thesis: “Interpopulation variability in the level of photosynthesis inactivation by heat stress in Arbutus unedo L.” (With Honours, 6 ECTS)

Issuance degree date: 31/07/2015

Degree thesis abstract: Some plants are exposed to a combination of stressful environmental conditions, such as high temperatures during summer. The distribution of the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is predominantly Mediterranean, however, it is also found on the European Atlantic coast reaching Irish latitudes. In this degree thesis, we measured the photosynthetic yield and spectral properties of A. unedo leaves from 12 locations to study the photosynthesis inactivation and infer the adaptive capacity of this species to potential future warmer conditions. As shown in previous studies, the variability in the level of inactivation of photosynthesis of the geographically different trees was very low suggesting a homogeneous genetic structure. The physiological response profile to the effects of temperature showed a clear inactivating effector on photosystem II but also the existence of a protective effect associated with thermal stress. Download here my Degree Thesis

Science and Technology Baccalaureate (LOE) and University Access Test (PAU), IES Vilar Ponte, Spain.

2009 – 2011

Average mark in high school: 9,0/10

University Access Test: 11,39/14

Exams taken at PAU:

General Part (compulsory exams): Mathematics, Spanish and Literature, Galician language, English, History of Spain.

Specific Part (optional exams): Biology, Chemistry.

Musical Elementary Degree. Professional Conservatory of Music in Viveiro, Spain.

2002 – 2008

Two specializations: Traverse Flute (2002-2006) and Piano (2005-2008).

Languages

^{According to The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (A1/2 = Basic user; B1/2 = Independent user; C1/2 = Proficient user)}

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