Natalia M. Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Dirita Laboratory

Aballay Laboratory

I took advantage of the natural variability among Caenorhabditis elegans wild isolates to examine the role of natural variation in the response of C. elegans to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study underscored the importance of pathogen specific behavioral immune defense in the wild, which seems to be favored over the more energy-costly mechanism of activation of physiological cellular defenses.During this time, I was responsible for directly mentoring and advising several undergraduate and graduate students.

De Mendoza Laboratory

I determined the link between the lipoic acid synthetic and scavenging pathways in the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis by characterizing the molecular details of these pathways. This study contributed to postulate that in B. subtilis, lipoic acid synthesis and scavenging are intertwined pathways, a previously undescribed finding.

Cronan Laboratory

I performed the biochemical characterization of protein lipoylation mechanisms in the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis. Specifically, I used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to assess the lipoylation/octanoylation state of purified lipoic acid-dependent enzymes in different mutants deficient in lipoic acid biosynthetic and/or scavenging pathways.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Biotechnology

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Biological Sciences

I worked on the physiological, genetic and biochemical characterization of protein lipoylation mechanisms in the Gram-positive bacteria.