Claudia A. Vera Arias, Ph.D.

Education

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Ph.D., Department of Sciences, May 2024
Dissertation: Malaria diagnosis with a focus on hrp2/3 deletion
Advisor: Cristian Koepfli, Ph.D.

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), Quito, Ecuador
B.S., Biological Sciences, December 2015
Thesis: Caracterización poblacional de Plasmodium falciparum en Ecuador
Advisor: Fabián E. Sáenz, Ph.D.

Research Experience

Independent Researcher

• I independently lead and contribute to research projects in molecular biology, microbiology, and infectious diseases, with a focus on diagnostics, antimicrobial resistance, and data-driven problem solving. I collaborate with academic and international partners, provide scientific consulting, and continue publishing peer-reviewed research.

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Notre Dame / Eck Institute for Global Health, IN (2024–2025)

• Detected and isolated HCMV monoclonal antibodies from seropositive patients using flow cytometry and PCR.
• Developed monoclonal antibody therapies targeting HCMV for use in immunocompromised patients.
• Standardized and optimized cell culture, PCR, and Western blot techniques to support HCMV research and antibody production.
• Mice immunization as part of the develop of a vaccine for HCMV.

Graduate Research Assistant

University of Notre Dame (2019–2024)

• Detection of Plasmodium falciparum that carries the deletion of the hrp2 gene and hrp3 gene through molecular tools like digital PCR (dPCR) in America and Africa.
• Comparison of molecular hrp2 gene and hrp3 detection methods. Three PCR variations (nested PCR, quantitative PCR, and digital PCR) were compared to determine which one was the best.
• Standardization of several protocols in many digital PCR platforms. As a result, I developed a protocol that takes less than an hour to detect the deletion of hrp2 gene and hrp3 that can be used in the field.
• Standardization and testing of the new digital PCR platform LOAA (OPTOLANE) as part of the prototype try to validate the dPCR Plataforma LOAA.
• Validation of the electronica microscopy (Noul) in Ethiopia.
• Trained international research personnel and students on-site at the Armauer Hansen Research Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Teaching Assistant

University of Notre Dame (2019–2024)

• Assisted in multiple undergraduate biology courses, including Research Experience in Biology, Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems, Intro Biology M2E, and Biological Investigation Laboratory.
• Guided students through authentic research projects on topics such as antibiotic resistance, transcriptomics, and protein-protein interactions in M. Tuberculosis.
• Taught and supervised lab activities involving molecular biology, microbiology, PCR, electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, microscopy, and fieldwork.
• Contributed to curriculum development, including building a database of exam questions for core biology lectures.
• Courses taught ranged from 22 to 74 students per semester, consistently earning high student evaluation scores (4.5 to 4.9 out of 5.0).
• Emphasized student development skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.

Research Assistant

PUCE / Center for Research on Health in Latin America (2015–2019)

• Molecular characterization of Plasmodium falciparum population in Ecuador using neutral microsatellites located in 6 chromosomes of the parasite.
• Organization and conduction of cohorts in Ecuador. The goal of the cohort was to collect all the information on the malaria endemic areas and the collection of samples for the posterior analysis and determination of Plasmodium sp., molecular characterization with neutral microsatellites, and hrp2 status determination.
• Laboratory functioning by managing budgets, allocating resources, and maintaining accurate records. Supervised and trained personnel and students in molecular techniques. I was in charge of equipment maintenance and inventory management. In addition, I contributed to project management and research support through technical expertise and data management.

Undergraduate Research Assistant

PUCE (2010–2015)

• Molecular characterization of P. falciparum population in Northwest Ecuador using neutral microsatellites located in 6 chromosomes of the parasite. Ecuadorian P. falciparum circulated in Northwest Ecuador was almost identical to parasites circulating the Pacific Coast of Peru in 2000 and to an ancestral P. falciparum sample collected in the Ecuadorian Coast in 1990. Additionally, no hrp2/3 deletion was found.

Teaching Experience

University of Notre Dame, IN, Aug 2019 - May 2024

• Supported a variety of undergraduate biology courses focused on developing students’ research skills, critical thinking, and technical proficiency. Led laboratory sections and mentored students in the Research Experience in Biology course across several semesters, guiding semester-long research projects on topics such as antibiotic resistance and protein-protein interactions in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Taught core techniques including DNA isolation, PCR, electrophoresis, bacterial transformation, microscopy, and data analysis. Also contributed to Biology II: Molecules to Ecosystems, Introductory Biology M2E Lectures, and the Biological Investigations Laboratory, helping students master fundamental biological concepts and skills. Consistently received excellent course evaluations, ranging from 4.4 to 4.9 out of 5.0.

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Jan 2017 - May 2019

• Designed and delivered course content to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of microorganisms, including their diversity, classification, structure, and physiology. Emphasized the ecological, industrial, medical, and environmental significance of microbes through lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions. Guided students in mastering core microbiological techniques such as isolation, culturing, and analysis of microorganisms. Received excellent evaluations from students, reflecting strong engagement and effective teaching.

Honors & Awards

• Co-chair in the Challenges in Malaria Diagnosis session of the 2021 ASTMH meeting (2021)
• Fogarty/NIH Scholarship, School of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago – Chile (2018)

Leadership & Affiliations

• STEMentorship (2022–Present)
• National Research Committee on Infectious Diseases (CONIEIT) (2016–Present)
• Scientific committee for the development of malaria diagnosis protocol in Ecuador, Member (2016–2018)

Professional Affiliations

• National Research Committee on Infectious Diseases (CONIEIT) (2016–Present)

References

Available upon request.