At San Luis Potosí State University's Viral & Human Genomics BSL-3 laboratory, our team of scientists is at the core of our research excellence. Each member brings a unique blend of expertise, innovation, and dedication to our shared mission of advancing biomedical science focused on emerging infectious diseases. Our scientists have ample experience, are leaders in their respective field and share a passion for addressing the most pressing challenges in human health. Through collaborative efforts and a commitment to cutting-edge research, they drive the discoveries that form the foundation of our lab’s impact. Below, you can learn more about the individual scientists whose contributions make our lab a center of innovation and discovery.
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Dr. Christian A. García-Sepúlveda (2006 to present) Dr. Christian holds a medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila and completed his Ph.D. at the Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Hospital, and University College London. He has developed molecular tools for the study of HLA-DR, MICA/B, and KIR genes, and has contributed to the advancement of molecular methods for the detection and analysis of blood-borne viral pathogens such as Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). His current research focuses on assessing the regional burden of exotic viral pathogens transmitted by arthropods, bats, and rodents, including Zika virus (ZIKV), Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), Dengue virus (DENV), Rabies virus (RABV), Hantavirus, Arenavirus, and Coronaviruses. Dr. Christian is the Principal Investigator of the Viral & Human Genomics Laboratory at the School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP). |
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Dr. Sandra E. Guerra Palomares (2016 to present) Dr. Sandra Guerra holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the School of Chemical Sciences at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP). Her research in blood-borne pathogen genomics, molecular epidemiology, and diagnostic molecular methods earned her a Master’s degree in Basic Biomedical Sciences from UASLP’s Faculty of Medicine. Her Ph.D. work focused on characterizing the genomic diversity and functional relevance of the HIV Vif accessory protein, as well as studying the genetic variability of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Dr. Guerra is currently an associate researcher at the Viral & Human Genomics Laboratory at UASLP’s School of Medicine.. |
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Dr. Juan Carlos Cuevas Tello (2014 to present) Dr. Juan Carlos holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP), a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Birmingham, and completed postdoctoral training at the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM). He is a member of the Intelligent Systems Strategic Focus Research Group and serves as a research collaborator at the Viral & Human Genomics Laboratory, where he leads the team applying artificial intelligence algorithms to the analysis of genetic data. Dr. Juan Carlos is a key scientific partner of the Viral & Human Genomics Lab. |
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Dr. Mauricio Comas García (2019 to present) Dr. Mauricio holds a Doctorate in Science with a specialization in physical and structural virology from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is a full-time research professor affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences and the Center for Research in Health Sciences and Biomedicine (CICSaB) at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí. He completed postdoctoral research on HIV packaging and replicative dynamics at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the United States. Dr. Mauricio currently leads the Viral Assembly and Biological Systems Laboratories within the High-Resolution Microscopy Section of CICSaB and serves as a scientific and academic collaborator of our laboratory. |
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Dr. Andreu Comas García (2009 to present) Dr. Andreu holds a medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP), a Master of Science in Infectious Diseases from the National Institute of Public Health, and a Doctorate in Science from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He completed postdoctoral training in virology at UASLP. He currently serves as a professor and researcher in the Department of Microbiology at UASLP’s Faculty of Medicine. He is a founder and former member of both the Histocompatibility Laboratory and the Infectious Diseases Laboratory at the Center for Research in Health Sciences and Biomedicine (CICSaB). Dr. Andreu is an expert in the diagnosis and epidemiology of respiratory viruses. |
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Dr. Sofía Bernal Silva (2009 to present) Dr. Sofia holds a medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP), as well as a Master’s and Doctorate in Science with a specialization in Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL). She currently serves as a professor and researcher in the Department of Microbiology at UASLP’s Faculty of Medicine. She is a founder and former member of both the Histocompatibility Laboratory and the Infectious Diseases Laboratory at the Center for Research in Health Sciences and Biomedicine (CICSaB). Her research focuses on the molecular characterization of viral pathogens, including human papillomavirus (HPV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2. She has contributed to studies on the phylogenomics and population genomics of SARS-CoV-2 in Mexico, particularly during the pre-vaccination phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Dr. Fernando Díaz-Barriga Martínez (2018 to present) Dr. Diaz-Barriga holds a Doctorate in Cellular Biology from CINVESTAV-IPN and currently serves as a full-time research professor at the Center for Applied Research in Environment and Health (CIAAS) within the Faculty of Medicine at the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (UASLP). He is the current Coordinator of the Division of Higher Studies for Equity and also serves as Director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Health Risk Assessment. |
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Dr. Evelyn Van Brussel (2020 to present) Dr. Van Brussel holds a medical degree from the National University of Rosario, with a specialization in Clinical Toxicology from the College of Physicians of Santa Fe Province, Argentina, and a Master of Science in Clinical Research. Her areas of expertise include health risk assessment of environmental pollutants, community-based environmental education in contaminated sites, and integrated health risk evaluation for vulnerable populations and climate change scenarios. As Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Van Brussel oversees medical monitoring and routine health assessments of laboratory personnel. |
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Dr. Daniel E. Noyola (2007 to present) Dr. Noyola holds a medical degree from the School of Medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí (UASLP), with residency training in Pediatrics from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and subspecialty training in Pediatric Infectious Diseases from Baylor College of Medicine. He also earned both a Master’s and a Doctorate in Basic Biomedical Sciences from UASLP’s School of Medicine. His research primarily focuses on the epidemiology of respiratory viral pathogens and the innate immune responses to viral infections. Dr. Daniel currently serves as Principal Investigator of the Virology Laboratory in the Department of Microbiology at UASLP’s School of Medicine. |
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MSc. Biol. Ignacio Amezcua Osorio (2010 to present) Ignacio obtained a bachelor's degree in Biology from Universidad Autónoma de Morelos in 1995, specialized in wildlife management at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara and baylor University, and a Masters degree un Public Health from Instituto de Ciencias y Estudios Superiores de Tamaulipas on 2014. He is currently state coordinator for Mexico's national campaign for the prevention and control of paralytic bovine rabies for San Luis Potosi and part of the State Committee for the Development and Protection of Livestock. |
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MVZ. Carolina Escalante Vargas (20170 to present)
Carolina obtained a bachelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics
from UASLP's Faculty of Agronomy and Veternizary Sciences in 2008. She is currently
participating as a field technician for the state campaign for the prevention and
control of paralytic bovine rabies of San Luis Potosi as part of the State Committee
for the Development and Protection of Livestock. |