My research interests include the developmental biology, insect embryology and the morphology of the insect ovaries. During the work on my Ph.D. dissertation I have used both electron and conventional microscopy, as well as the fluorescent microscopy and histochemistry. In 2002 I have broadened my research interests and laboratory experience by joining the Department of Microbiology, here at UGA, working as the Postdoctoral Associate with Prof. Juergen Wiegel. This project concerned the non-oxidative, reversible hydroxy-aryl acid decarboxylases derived mainly from obligate or facultative anaerobes. During this time I have learned how to cultivate both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, as well as I got familiar with molecular biology and enzyme characterization.

I joined the Laboratory of Prof. William Whitman in 2005. Currently, my research interests focus on the physiology of anaerobic microorganisms, the methanogenic archaea. In particular, my studies concern the energy and hydrogen metabolism of the hydrogenotrophic, mesophilic methanogen, Methanococcus maripaludis. Of special interest are the roles of the cytoplasmic hydrogenases and their interactions with the heterodisulfide reductase complex. I am also studying various aspects of formate-dependent hydrogen gas production in our model methanogen.

Currently I am trying to analyze the free amino acid pools in the cells of M. maripaludis. Free amino acid pool is important to the metabolism of the cells, since the free amino acid levels could regulate amino acids and protein synthesis and possibly many other metabolic pathways. The technique I am using now is capillary electrophoresis, which is a quick, sensitive and selective approach to determine amino acids in a complex mixture.

I obtained my bachelor degree in Biochemistry in 2006 from Chile. After that, I developed interest in extremophile microorganisms and methanogenic archaea. Thus, I decided to expand my knowledge and experience in this area and applied to the PhD. Program in Microbiology at UGA in 2008. Currently, I am working to test and develop new molecular tools using mobile genetic elements (transposons) to transform M. maripaludis with high transformation efficiency.

For last couple of years, while in the Whitman Laboratory I have worked on multiple projects including: the purification of the labeled amino acids to study the aromatic amino acid biosynthesis, large-scale growth of M. maripaludis, and purification of cofactors involved in methanogenic pathway. I have also been involved in the characterization of the novel species M. aeolicus; isolation of genomic DNA from five closely related mesophilic methanococci for the genome sequencing projects. Recently, I have done the studies on biosynthesis of Fe-S clusters in M. maripaludis.

Currently I am working on a project, which aims at improving the ethanol production from acid hydrolysate of lingocellulose by anaerobic microorganisms by removing the inhibitory compounds, such as acetate and furfural. This project involves isolation and identification of novel microorganisms from the environment and the establishment of co-culture of the acetate-utilizing methanogen with the furfural-degrading sulfur reducing bacterium. By removing the inhibitors the efficiency of ethanol fermentation will be greatly improved.