Member SpotlightsEnvironmental Genomics Studies at Cinvestav, Mexico Jaime Garcia Mena, Ph.D. A Science Advisory Board Member Since 2007 Jaime Garcia Mena is Principal Investigator at the Centro de Investigacion y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Cinvestav), Mexico. Garcia-Mena obtained his BSc in Bacteriology in Mexico City from the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biologicas del IPN (1986) and his Ph.D. from Cinvestav (1992). He received the Wood-Whelan Research Fellowship Award from the International Union of Biochemistry in 1992, and the International Exchange Programme Award for Young Scientists from the British Council in Mexico City in 2004, which he used to start a collaboration with Dr. Ben F. Luisi in Cambridge University’s biochemistry department. Garcia-Mena has worked as a faculty member for Cinvestav since 1997. Professional Background In 1992 I learned the fine arts of protein purification working with Dr. Claude Portier at the Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique in Paris, France, and then from 1995 to 1997 I received postdoctoral training working on transcriptional antitermination with Dr. Asis K. Das at the Department of Microbiology, University of Connecticut Health Center. I joined Cinvestav as a full faculty member of the Departamento de Genetica y Biologia Molecular back in 1997. Research Interests At Cinvestav I am PI of the Laboratory of Environmental Genomics. In addition, I am in charge of the Cellular Biology course of the graduate program and I participate in other graduate programs at Cinvestav, teaching Post-transcriptional Regulation of Gene Expression. My current research interests, which I develop in collaboration with other researchers, deals with the typification of the microbioma and microbial diversity in environmental, biotechnological, and human systems, the profiling of the expression levels of genes associated with Type 2 Diabetes in the Mexican population, and the dynamics of functional protein complexes that regulate gene expression in Escherichia coli. Career Motivations & Expectations The interest to know and learn from nature is what incites me to develop the research where I work to describe some phenomena. I believe that although all people who work in science are not meant to win a Nobel Prize, I am highly motivated in my efforts since most of the work developed for all scientists as a whole provides the bricks and foundations for the great achievements made by the privileged minds. Most of my life I have been attracted by what occurs in nature, and I became the scientist I am, following the path marked by my curiosity. A goal I cherish for the future is to be a scientist that encourages young people to follow a course of productive science. If you'd like to comment on this article, or join in discussion on other topics with SAB members, please visit our community forums. Web Resources Jaime Garcia Mena’s Home Page Publications Topic: Microbiology
Topic: Biotechnology
Topic: Type 2 Diabetes
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