Maria is a molecular virologist with a permanent position at the National Reference Laboratory for Respiratory Viruses and Influenza (Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Spain). Maria’s work focuses on the genomic and antigenic characterization of respiratory viruses, with particular emphasis on Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), influenza viruses, and SARS-CoV-2.
She leads the technical aspects of sequencing workflows in the laboratory, with a strong commitment to continuous innovation and protocol development. One of Maria’s main contributions has been the design and publication of a reliable and cost-effective method for RSV whole-genome and antigenic gene (G and F) sequencing, published in Eurosurveillance. This protocol has been successfully implemented across the national RSV sequencing network. Thanks to this effort, Spain is now one of the leading countries in RSV genomic data contribution worldwide.
Maria is actively involved in national surveillance strategies and collaborate with public health authorities on data reporting to ECDC (via TESSY) and WHO. She also participates in international inter-laboratory comparison exercises.
Maria is involved as a part of the research team in the Project: 101137201-CLARITY-HORIZON-HLTH-2023. This project aims to unravel the causative link between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and asthma development in predisposed individuals to identify targets for therapy.
Maria defended her PhD in November 2019 and her scientific interests lie in viral evolution, antigenic variability, and the integration of genomic data with epidemiological information to improve public health responses. Particularly, she is motivated by collaborative projects that enhance national and international capacity for molecular surveillance of respiratory viruses.