Lab members

Our director
Adriana Jimena Bernal Giraldo
PhD. In Plant Pathology | Associate Professor
I have extensive experience in agricultural microbiology, with over 20 years dedicated to phytopathology and more than a decade working with beneficial microbes for agriculture. My research has focused on understanding the molecular effects of both pathogenic and beneficial microorganisms on plants, including the induction and suppression of defense pathways and the mechanisms underlying plant resistance genes. In recent years, I expanded my expertise through research and development in the private sector, where I worked on the discovery and characterization of beneficial bacteria, and later at the University of Los Andes, where I investigated microorganisms that activate systemic resistance pathways and promote plant growth. To study these processes, I employ a wide range of tools, from classical microbiology to advanced approaches in genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.
Active members

Victoria Ruíz
I hold a PhD in Tropical Agroecosystems from Colegio de Postgraduados, Mexico. My passion lies in understanding microorganism - plant interactions, and using this knowledge to develop sustainable strategies against phytopathogens.
I have worked on the development of biocontrol alternatives, edible coatings, and biopolymers applied to postharvest management of fruits. I enjoy combining laboratory work with practical field applications, always aiming to create solutions that support more sustainable agriculture.

Wlison Rodriguez
I am pursuing a Ph.D., where my research is centered on the selection of microorganisms to develop a synthetic community that enhances macronutrient absorption in plants. Additionally, I am exploring methodologies for cultivating microorganisms while preserving the natural microbial biodiversity of soils. My goal is to contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by integrating microbial ecology with innovative cultivation techniques.

Elizabeth Hernandez
Hello, I'm a microbiologist. I completed my undergraduate thesis in Microbiology at Purdue University, where I studied the intracellular trafficking of VirE2, a virulence protein of A. tumefaciens. I am currently studying microorganisms associated with the corn rhizosphere and how these can be beneficial against the Dalbulus maidis pest.

Camila Sierra
I am a Master’s student in Computational Biology with a background in Microbiology and experience in Bioinformatics. My work focuses on microbiome analysis, phylogenomics, gene expression, and high-throughput sequencing data. I am interested in plant–microbe interactions and in developing computational workflows to study complex biological systems, particularly in large-scale datasets and high-performance computing environments.

Andrés Acosta
I am a microbiologist, focused on agricultural microbiology, microbial bioprospecting, and the development of biofertilizers. My investigation explores the genomic basis of plant growth-promoting microorganisms to support the rational design of synthetic microbial communities for sustainable agriculture. I am also interested in interdisciplinary collaborations, especially with design and community-based approaches, to develop more applied and context-sensitive solutions.

Valerin Aguirre
I am a biologist with experience in molecular biology and plant-microbe interactions. My work focuses on implementing molecular techniques to study plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and their potential applications in sustainable agriculture. I have participated in research projects and agricultural trials, evaluating the impact of bacterial interactions on plant health and productivity.

Camilo Racedo
I am a biologist and microbiologist wiht a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences with a focus on microbiology. My research explores the intricate interactions between bacteria and plants enriching it with plant physiology. I am deeply interested in science-based entrepreneurship, particularly in developing innovative applications for microbiology in agriculture. I aim to bridge the gap between scientific research and practical solutions, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and efficient farming systems.

Jorge Oliveros
I am a biologist with a master's in Biological Sciences with an emphasis on Microbiology. My research interests focus on plant-microbe interactions, particularly the interplay between plants, bacteria, and pathogens. I am also interested in induced systemic resistance (ISR), biocontrol strategies, and the field of plant pathology. My work aims to explore microbial mechanisms that contribute to plant health and disease suppression, with potential applications in sustainable agriculture.

Natalia Hernandez
I am a biologist and microbiologist specializing in plant-bacteria interactions. During my undergraduate studies, I characterized rhizospheric bacteria through biochemical, molecular, genetic, and in vitro analyses, identifying them as plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) with the potential to mitigate water stress. To evaluate their effect, I inoculated Coffea arabica plants with a bacterial consortium and subsequently analyzed their physiological and morphological responses and recovery to drought.

Mariana Mendoza
I am conducting a transdisciplinary project at LIMMA in collaboration with Agri-Food Systems Research Center (CISA), evaluating a community-produced biofertilizer in Amazonian soils of Caquetá, Colombia. The study analyzes its effects on soil properties, microbial diversity, and the growth of Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi), including bacterial community characterization under different fertilization strategies. My focus is on applied, community-engaged research that connects microbial ecology and biotechnology with agroecological management, bioinputs for sustainable production, and plant–microbe interactions in disease dynamics.

Yeimy Montenegro
I am a Chemical Engineer and a master's student in Biological Sciences with an emphasis on microbiology. My research focuses on studying soil microbiomes, with a bioinformatics approach, to develop strategies that contribute to soil preservation and restoration through sustainable practices. Currently, I am part of the Agri-Food Systems Research Center (CISA), where we collaborate with local communities to evaluate how the use of different biofertilizers affects the rhizosphere microbiome and, in turn, influences the growth and production of native crops.

Nicolás Ruíz
I am a Biologist with experience in Molecular Biology and Microbiology. I'm currently pursuing a Masters degree on Biological Sciences with emphasis on Microbiology. My aim is to get a deeper understanding of the molecular interactions between xanthomonas phaseoli pv manihotis and Manihot esculenta.

Juliana Castañeda
I studied biology and microbiology, and my work consists on evaluating the effect of Dalbulus maidis infestation on soil microoorganisms recruitment by Zea mays, in order to find microorganisms involve in plant defense against piercing-sucking insects.

Raquel Bautista
I am a seventh-semester student with a strong interest in environmental biotechnology. My current work focuses on plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), exploring their potential for bioaugmentation and bioprospecting in carnations. Through this research, I aim to better understand plant–microbe interactions and their applications in sustainable agriculture. I am particularly interested in developing environmentally friendly strategies that enhance plant growth while contributing to soil health and ecosystem resilience.

Mariana Cano
I am interested in studies that contribute to the development of agricultural strategies based on the analysis of the microbiological potential of soils and the rhizosphere. I am currently involved in the functional characterization of microorganisms of agricultural interest through biochemical assays, with a comparative focus on their performance at the individual level and in microbial consortia.

Gabriela Langebeck
I am Gabriela, and my work focuses in bioprospecting beneficial microorganisms from strategic ecosystems, with the goal of identifying bacteria with nitrogen-fixing potential. I am looking for organisms that act as soil allies to promote plant growth, offering sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical fertilization.

Mario Sanchez
I am a student from Universidad de Québec à Trois rivières,Canada currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology. From February to May 2026, I will be working in the LIMMA. The aim of my internship is to expand my knowledge in microbiology, specifically by studying the interactions between Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis and Manihot esculenta. In addition, I will focus on the yeast two-hybrid technique.

Juan Diego Rodríguez
I am Juan Diego Rodríguez, a microbiology student. My main interest lies in molecular biology and the study of molecular interactions. I work with bacterial transformation methods to modify strains, making them easier to identify and evaluate in vivo growth-promotion assays.

Ana Sofia Pérez
I am a final-year undergraduate student in Biology and Microbiology. I completed my Biology thesis at Purdue University, where I studied the genus Hemileia, specifically H. vastatrix, the causal agent of coffee leaf rust. I am very interested in fungi and am working toward becoming a mycologist. For my Microbiology thesis, I focus on plant growth-promoting fungi and bacteria, particularly their role in enhancing drought tolerance in maize.
Former members

Paola Reyes
I'm interested in using science to advance farmer´s quality of life by researching plant immunity and molecular diagnosis. I'm particualrly interested on the intersection between academy and society. I'm currently a post-doc at LIMMA and the Centrer for Research on Agrifood Systems-CISA where I'm investigating the effect of bioinoculants on the growth promotion and production of non-commercial crops to improve farmers livelihood.

Santiago Cortés
I am Santiago Cortés Calderón, and I worked on evaluating the interaction between effectors from Xanthomonas phaseoli patovar. manihotis and plant proteins from Manihot esculenta expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, using a co-immunoprecipitation strategy.

Darwin Castillo
I am a molecular biologist interested in microbiology, biochemistry, and plant physiology. During my master's program, I researched the interaction between the effector XopA1 and its target proteins in cassava. This experience sparked my curiosity in mechanistic biology and a desire to understand the molecular mechanisms behind plant responses to biotic and abiotic stressors. Currently, I am working as a researcher at KAUST-Saudi Arabia, focusing on biocontrol using phages and bacterial natural transformation.

Santiago Díaz
I am Santiago Díaz Millán. I worked on plant-pathogen interaction using a phenotype complementation strategy. I mainly focus on areas of molecular biology, specifically studying the interaction between an effector from Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis called XopAE and two potential targets in cassava (MePATL3) and the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana (AtPATL3).

Carlos Rodríguez
During my undergraduate studies, I discovered agricultural microbiology and became fascinated by its great potential to contribute to the well-being of the environment and society. In my master's program, this interest evolved into a passion for plant pathology, which allowed me to delve into the complex world of plant-pathogen interactions. Currently, I work in the Reference Area of the National Phytosanitary Diagnosis Laboratory of ICA, the National Phytosanitary Protection Organization of Colombia. Soon, I will begin my PhD in Plant Pathology at NCSU in the United States, with the aim of deepening my understanding of the diagnosis and management of diseases in cucurbits.

Layla Castellanos
I am a microbiologist and biologist. My work consisted of evaluating the ability of biochar, a biomass-based carbon, to be used as a vehicule to maintain cell viability in PGPBs consortia and its future applications in agriculture.

Valeria Palacio
I am a Chemical Engineer and Microbiologist o, and my work at LIMMA revolved around the isolation and characterization of nitrogen-fixing bacteria from the rhizosphere of cassava This research is part of the bioprospecting of beneficial bacteria that promote plant growth

Iván Ortiz
I am Iván Ortiz Medina, and I am studying Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) ecophysiology response to hydric stress with PGPRs symbiosis. For this I analyze different physiology and microclimate conditions during the life cycle of the plants with PGPRs inoculation compared to a control. Also, I am working with Cassava (Manihot esculenta) bacterial microbiome characterization under different field conditions like monoculture, mix with corn and diseased by the cassava bacterial blight.

Nicolás Velasco
I am interested in plant molecular biology and plant biochemistry focusing on reverse engineering strategies towards enzymatic optimization as the key for crop enhancement. During my undergraduate thesis at LIMMA, I studied the patellin-3 protein in Manihot esculenta, using yeast two-hybrid assays and AlphaFold to understand its role in pathogen defense. Currently, I´m researching on the characterization of the DHPD protein from Oryza sativa. This while looking forward to begin my path into grad school to enchance my abilities in the field.

David Herrán
I am finishing my two undergraduate programs, Biology and Microbiology. In the past I studied the homology between the effector proteins of Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis and Pseudomonas syringae and between the host proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana and Manihot esculenta. Nowadays I am working in the isolation, characterization and evaluation of phosphate solubilizing bacteria.

Camila Arcila
I have a lot of interests (from frogs to bacteria) so I chose a thesis that has a little bit of everything. I'm currently working on Plant-Pathogen-Vector interactions, I have standarized a molecular detection protocol for mollicutes in leafhoppers and used that protocol to study the epidemiology in Colombia of the economically important maize diseases vectored by Dalbulus maidis.

Sofía Contreras
I am a final-year microbiology and biology student, with a strong interest in genetics and its role in disease outcomes. My thesis focuses on confirming and characterizing the interaction between a Xanthomonas effector and its cassava targets using confocal microscopy and evaluating plant immune markers.

Arley Cárdenas
I am a biologist, and my work investigates the functional homology of XopAO1, an effector of Xanthomonas phaseoli pv. manihotis (a pathogen of Manihot esculenta), through transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana.

Maira Bernal
My work lies in the various interactions between fungi and Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in nature and ecosystems, as well as their impact on crops and agriculture, particularly as growth promoters and PGPRs.

Maria Andrea Pedraza
I'm very passionate about plant pathogen perception and immunity, and how that knowledge can be used to generate new disease management strategies in the field. I've studied the role of bacterial exopolysaccharides in Cassava's plant immunity.


