Yuselys Garcia-Martinez Email and Phone Number

"Microbes, what first comes into your mind?"When we hear about these tiny organisms, our first thoughts usually involve infectious diseases, epidemics, or spoiled food. However, pathogenic interaction (disease-causing) is just one aspect of our relationship with microbes. Only a minority of them are pathogenic to humans. Trillions of microorganisms live harmlessly in and on the human body. Collectively, they are called the human microbiome or microbiota and help us maintain a healthy balance by, for example, aiding digestion, producing vitamins, preventing the growth of pathogens, and shaping our immune system. Let’s also remember that microorganisms are the source of many medications (e.g., antimicrobials) and vaccines we rely on, and they are used to make some of our favorite foods—think wine, beer, cheese, and bread! Microbes sustain life in our environment by recycling essential chemical elements, including carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, that animals and plants could not use otherwise. Did you know that microorganisms in the ocean carry out about a third of the earth's photosynthesis? I’m a Microbiologist with a PhD in Medical Sciences. My main focus is understanding the diverse microbial makeup associated with health and disease states and the complex symbiotic relationships between the microbiome and its human host. I aim to develop innovative microbiome-based therapies for various pathologies. I also study host-pathogen interactions relevant to Clinical Microbiology and Epidemiology. As part of my research journey, I have:• Investigated the impact of gut microbiota dysbiosis on metabolic alterations in patients with chronic kidney disease, shedding light on its implications for worsened disease outcomes. • Studied mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in enteropathogenic bacteria, addressing the public health issue of limited treatment options for multidrug-resistant strains.• Conducted diagnosis and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of enteropathogenic bacteria, contributing to effective treatment strategies and informed clinical decision-making.Outside my research endeavors, I enjoy reading and continuously challenging my mind.