Hometown: Villa Maria, Cordoba, Argentina
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
Research Overview
Humans studies have revealed consistent alterations in the gut microbiomes of patients with cardiometabolic and aging-associated diseases. A major focus of my group is to understand how variations in the gut microbiome modulate the effects of diet and host’s susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease. To address these questions we use a combination of hypothesis-generating, sequencing-centered analyses of microbiomes from humans and mice, followed by proof-of-principle/proof-of-mechanism studies in gnotobiotic mouse models of disease and classic bacteriology experiments.
What inspired you to select your field of study?
In 2005, I heard Jeff Gordon speak at the ASM meeting about how gut bacteria could influence myriad aspects of our health. That talk stuck with me and was a turning point in shaping my interest into how bacterial metabolism affects the host.
What is one piece of advice you would give to students?
Explore your interests, follow your passion. Be flexible.
When you’re not in the lab, how do you spend your time?
I spend time with my family, usually cooking, and listen to a lot of music.
What is the best meal you’ve ever had?
The first asado with friends and family that I have every time I visit Argentina.
You have to sing karaoke, what song do you pick?
“Quien se ha tomado todo el vino” by Carlitos Jimenez.
Have you ever completed anything on your “bucket list”? If so, what was it?
Backpacking through several countries in South America with close friends and no time constrains.