Dr Maria Medel

María Medel  holds a Degree in Chemistry from University Autonoma of Madrid since 2008. She received a FUAM National Grant and Goya-Leonardo National Mobility Grant, to work 6 months in Lilly (Spain) and 3 more months in Elly Lilly (United Kingdom). Then, she studied an Official Master of Applied Inorganic Chemistry at University of Alcala de Henares, working on a research project titled " Synthesis of dendrimers functionalized with alkynyl ferrocene. Reactivity against Os₃(CO)₁₀ (NCMe)₂ " , obtaining "First Class" qualification. In September 2009 she started to work on her PhD thesis, titled "Photosensitizers based on Ruthenium-bipyridyl complexes and porphyrins for dye-sensitized solar cells", under the direction of Prof. Tomas Torres. In 2015 she obtained her PhD title with "Cum Laude qualifiction" as well as "PhD with International Mention". Her thesis was focused on molecular materials and has basically dealt with the synthesis of ruthenium complexes and macrocycles such as porphyrins and phthalocyanines, as well as their characterization and study of their multiple properties in order to improve the efficiency of solar cells.  During her PhD studies she visited for 3 months to Prof. A. G. Coutsolelos (department of Bioinorganic Chemistry, University of Crete, Greece). The publications derived from her PhD have been published in journals with high impact. In addition, she has registered 1 patent.

Significantly, she has also developed a wide teaching and supervising experience at University Autonoma of Madrid by co-supervising a final year student project (Synthesis, characterization and applications of organic materials).

After her PhD, she achieved a competitive research contract, at GSK, working on the research project, financed by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (www.gatesfoundation.org), to working in organic synthesis within a project of proteomics, to identify new targets for tuberculosis and malaria. These consisted in working in a proteomics project to identify new targets for tuberculosis and malaria. Proteomics studies are to map out the proteins present in a specific cellular organelle or the structure of protein complexes. Structural analysis can aid in identification of functions of newly discovered genes, show where drugs bind to proteins and where proteins interact with each other. Technologies employed in structural proteomics are X-ray crystallography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. 

Later, she moved back to University Autonoma of Madrid as post-doctoral researcher, where she was working in the field of nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy, in an European project: Novel nanotechnology-enabled system for endovascular in vivo near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging and endovascular near-infrared targeted photodynamic therapy of atherosclerοtic heart disease" (CosmoPHOS). This proyect, CosmoPHOS-nano, is a multidisciplinary translational and business-oriented project aiming to develop and evaluate in both nonclinical and clinical applications a novel theragnostic (diagnostic & therapeutic) nanotechnology-enabled portable combination system which will enable: endovascular in vivo near-infrared fluorescence molecular imaging; endovascular near-infrared targeted photodynamic therapy, and real-time & follow-up therapy monitoring of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD).  As a result of this post-doctoral stage, 1 International Patent has already registered and there are two papers under revision.

Nowadays, I work in the Polymer Therapeutic Lab (www.vicentresearchlab.com), under the supervision of Prof. M.J. Vicent, to undertake a project entitled "Ensemble selection of gene delivery vectors to treat chronic kidney diseases" (RETOS Project). The project is based on recent compelling knowledge on the selection and development of new gene therapy vector variants and modification of existing vectors to change vector tropism. Moreover, there are new moieties, like aptamers and engineered polypeptides, that help to deliver different cargos to specific subsets of cells in vascularized organs. Combination of both technologies will allow us to create vectors with unique targeting potential. During this period, I am going to synthesize vectors with chemically modified versions to identify the best vehicles to deliver genetic material to renal target cell types.

Dr. Maria Medel has acquired an important level of practical expertise in multi-step Organic Synthesis, along with an extensive knowledge in Biomolecular Materials. In addition, she has networked with several scientists with expertise in different fields, and she intends to continue collaborating with them. With the long-term objective of having an independent career. The proposed research line, related to applied porphyrins in the develovent of the synthesis polymers fort treatment of breast cancer, combines her experience in porphyrins and the background in Biomaterials acquired recently.