ALEJANDRO TORRES RIQUELME
B.Sc. In Biochemistry And Ph.D. In Medicine, Dentistry And Health Sciences
Essendon
Summary
Focused Biomedical Scientist demonstrating a specialty in biochemistry and cellular biology. Dedicated professional determined to find the mechanisms and effective treatments for deadly diseases and debilitating conditions. Ready to join a new organization collaborating with other professionals in a laboratory environment.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
2
2
Languages
Work History
Research Officer
Walter Eliza Hall Institute Of Medical Research
Parkville, VIC
01.2022 - 03.2024
- Investigation of the immune-peptidome presented by tumoral cells in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma, and its role in immune evasion
- Discovered the shared immunopeptidome of Adenocarcinoma patients and their immunogenicity in search of targets for the development of treatments and vaccines.
- Enhanced research quality by implementing rigorous data collection and analysis methodologies.
- Analyzed findings and reports from researchers in program and interpreted for supervisory staff.
- Conducted literature reviews to inform research design and ensure relevance to current industry trends.
PhD in Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Killer Cell Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
Parkville, VIC
08.2017 - 12.2021
- Investigation of the role of glycosaminoglycans in the delivery of cytotoxic molecules into the secretory granules
- In this project, I elucidated the role of Serglycin, a soluble proteoglycan present in the cytotoxic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and its role in the transport and delivery of Perforin and Granzyme B.
- Presented research findings at national conferences, increasing visibility of the research project.
- Planned complex research projects and designed studies to improve research and experimentation.
- Helped develop research protocols or concept notes for implementation or operations research.
- Enhanced research quality by implementing rigorous data analysis and new methodologies to optimize research processes.
Research Assistant
Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Genomics and Evolutionary Studies, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
07.2016 - 08.2017
- The development of genomic markers to determine maturation stages of Salmo salar to improve the quality of aquaculture
- In this role I isolated exosomes from the blood of Atlantic salmon in the search of molecular markers that would indicate the maturation state of the specimens.
Research Assistant
Laboratory of Innate and Adaptive Immunity, Universidad de Chile
05.2015 - 05.2016
- The aim of this project was to elucidate the role of an IL-33 receptor in the development of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- In this project we investigated the role of the IL-33 receptor ST-2 and its soluble variant in the pathology of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s Disease.
Honours Research Thesis
Laboratory of Respiratory Virology, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
03.2014 - 04.2015
- Title: “Genetic variability of the respiratory syncytial virus surface proteins and their implication in the immune response in paediatric patients.” The aim of this project was to determine the immunological profile in hospitalised infants to better understand the spread of syncytial virus variants
- In this project we sequenced by Sanger methods the genes G and F of the RSV, creating multuiple alignments and phylogenetic trees to elucidate the evolution of the RSV in neonatal patients.
Summer Scholarship
Laboratorio de Vectores Virales, CNPEM-National Centre for Research in Energy and Materials
01.2014 - 02.2014
- The aim of this 2-month project was to improve the efficiency of cytotoxic T lymphocytes targeting tumor cells that express immune co-activator molecules.
Research Assistant
Laboratorio de Genetica Humana, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
06.2011 - 12.2013
- The aim of my research was to improve immunotherapy of melanoma and breast cancer using hapten-modified tumour cells to generate stronger immune response against tumor antigens.
Education
Ph.D. - Medicine, Dentistry And Health Sciences
University of Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC 04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biochemsitry
Universidad De Santiago De Chile
Santiago De Chile 04.2001 -
Skills
Analytical Thinking
Interpersonal Skills
Research and publication
Ethical considerations
Time management abilities
Broad knowledge of Laboratory techniques
Excellent Communication
Goal Setting
Self Motivation
Data Modeling
Specimen Processing
Orcid
0000-0002-5581-3936
Certification
Micro-Certification Drug Commercialization Fundamentals, University of Melbourne, VCCC Alliance
Animal Experimentation
- Mouse handling
- Injections (IV, IP, SC)
- Organ extraction
Publications
- Mauricio Javier Olivares-Morales1, Marjorie Katherine De La Fuente, Karen Dubois-Camacho, Daniela Parada, David Diaz-Jiménez, Alejandro Torres-Riquelme, Xiaojiang Xu, Marcela Alejandra Hermoso, et al., Glucocorticoids Impair Phagocytosis and Inflammatory Response Against Crohn’s Disease-Associated Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli, Frontiers Immunology, 2018, 9, 1026
- Espinosa Y, San Martín C, Torres AA, Farfán MJ, Torres JP, Avadhanula V, Piedra PA, Tapia LI, Genomic Loads and Genotypes of Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Viral Factors during Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Chilean Hospitalized Infants, Int J Mol Sci, 2017, 18, 3, 654
- Karen Dubois-Camacho, Payton A Ottum, Daniel Franco-Muñoz, Marjorie De la Fuente, Alejandro Torres-Riquelme, David Díaz-Jiménez, Mauricio Olivares-Morales, Gonzalo Astudillo, Rodrigo Quera, Marcela A Hermoso, Glucocorticosteroid therapy in inflammatory bowel diseases: From clinical practice to molecular biology, World J Gastroenterol, 2017, 23, 36, 6628-6638
- David Díaz-Jiménez, Lucía Núñez, Marjorie De la Fuente, Karen Dubois-Camacho, Hugo Sepúlveda, Martín Montecino, Alejandro Torres-Riquelme, Paulina García-González, Jonás Chnaiderman, Anna Vossenkamper, Thomas T. MacDonald, Daniela Simian, María-Julieta González, John A. Cidlowski, Rodrigo Quera & Marcela A. Hermoso et al., A functional IL1RL1 variant regulates corticosteroid-induced sST2 expression in ulcerative colitis, Scientific Reports, 2017, 7, 10180
- Alejandro Torres-Riquelme, Jesse A. Rudd-Schmidt, Vivien Sutton, Amelia J. Brennan, Joseph A. Trapani, Ilia Voskoboinik, The role of serglycin glycosylation in the effector mechanism of cytotoxic lymphocytes, In preparation
Accomplishments
- Achieved organization of big-data by using R for the immunopeptidome of Lung Adenocarcinoma.
- Collaborated with the Purcell Laboratory (Monash) in the discovery of peptides of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.
- Documented and resolved the function of Serglycin in cytotoxic T cells which led to the discovery of the transport mechanism of Perforin and Granzyme B to the secretory granules.
Karate Senior- Black Belt
I have Practiced Karate for 16 years, receiving the black belt on August 2022.
This grade has led me to train the newcomers and guide them into improved techniques, and take the martial art as a way to meditate and better their lives.
The training has kept my mind clear and helps me to have patience, determination and sheer will.
Timeline
Research Officer
Walter Eliza Hall Institute Of Medical Research
01.2022 - 03.2024
PhD in Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences
Killer Cell Laboratory, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
08.2017 - 12.2021
Research Assistant
Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Genomics and Evolutionary Studies, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
07.2016 - 08.2017
Research Assistant
Laboratory of Innate and Adaptive Immunity, Universidad de Chile
05.2015 - 05.2016
Honours Research Thesis
Laboratory of Respiratory Virology, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
03.2014 - 04.2015
Summer Scholarship
Laboratorio de Vectores Virales, CNPEM-National Centre for Research in Energy and Materials
01.2014 - 02.2014
Research Assistant
Laboratorio de Genetica Humana, Universidad de Santiago de Chile
06.2011 - 12.2013
Ph.D. - Medicine, Dentistry And Health Sciences
University of Melbourne
04.2001 -
Bachelor of Science - Biochemsitry
Universidad De Santiago De Chile
04.2001 -