Ana R. Díaz Marrero holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of La Laguna. Since beginning her scientific career, she has been focused on research into substances produced by organisms that inhabit marine ecosystems: algae, invertebrates and microorganisms; the isolation and determination of their chemical structures, their ecological function, and their possible biomedical applications. She spent a postdoctoral stay at the University of British Columbia, Canada, searching for potential drugs or lead compounds from extracts of marine macro- and microorganisms. Between 2007 and 2012 she continued her research in the area of marine product chemistry at IPNA-CSIC. In 2012 she joined the Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González (IUBO-ULL), to focus on discovering new bioactive molecules produced by marine microorganisms. As leader of a project for the Agustín de Betancourt Programme, her work was oriented towards the transfer of R&D in collaboration with the company PharmaMar, for the discovery of anti-tumour compounds of marine origin. Since November 2021 she has been a tenured scientist and member of the Chemistry of Marine Natural Products group at the IPNA-CSIC.
Current lines of research:
- Exploration of the microbiological biodiversity of unique and extreme habitats: mangroves, Tagoro underwater volcano (S coast of El Hierro island), and the marine ecosystem affected by the recent volcanic eruption on the island of La Palma.
- The search for substances of marine origin with pharmacological activity.
- The search for efficient systems to detect and diagnose marine toxins causing ciguatera.
Marine biotechnology, marine microorganisms, natural products, structure, biological activity.
- Licentiate Degree in Chemical Sciences, University of La Laguna (1997).
- PhD in Chemical Sciences, University of La Laguna (2003).
- Tenured Senior Scientist, CSIC (2021-present).
- Researcher, Agustín de Betancourt Programme, University of La Laguna (2017-2021).
- Researcher, Antonio González University Institute of Bio-Organics, University of La Laguna (2012-2017).
- Coordinator of the "Re+D+i Network: Biodiverse Drugs and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC) (2012).
- JAE-Doc Researcher, Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC) (2009-2012).
- Juan de la Cierva Research Fellow, Instituto de Productos Naturales y Agrobiología (IPNA-CSIC) (2007-2009).
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of British Columbia, Canada (2006).
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow MECD/Fulbright, University of British Columbia, Canada (2004-2006).
- Predoctoral Fellow, Institute of Natural Products and Agrobiology (IPNA-CSIC) (1999-2003).
- Licentiate Undergraduate Thesis, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology / University of La Laguna (1996-1999).
- Member of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry. Group Specialized in Chemistry of Natural Products.
- Extraordinary Doctorate Award. Experimental and Technical Sciences Division. University of La Laguna (2003).
- Best Doctoral Thesis Award. Faculty of Chemistry. University of La Laguna (2003).
- GEPRONAT Young Researchers Award in the area of Chemistry of Natural Products, Group Specialized in Natural Products, Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry (2012).
- Evaluator of the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI) (2015-present).
- Accredited as Doctoral Lecturer under Contract, by the ANECA agency (2016).