Graduate assistant
Universidad de los Andes, Colombia
María Alejandra Mancera García is a biologist and microbiologist currently pursuing a master's degree in Biological Sciences with focus on Microbiology at the Universidad de los Andes in Colombia. In her role as a graduate assistant in teaching and research, María Alejandra concentrates on studying antibiotic resistance through genomics and molecular biology, as well as implementing therapeutic alternatives such as the use of bacteriophages.
Her undergraduate thesis, titled "Challenge in the Diagnosis of Staphylococcus aureus: Discordance Between Genotypical and Phenotypical Profiles," characterized clinical isolates of S. aureus both molecularly and phenotypically, identifying discrepancies between genotypic and phenotypic antibiotic resistance profiles of this microorganism that complicate therapeutic approaches. Her master's research, titled "Effect of the Combination of Phages and Oxacillin Against Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates resistant to β-Lactams," evaluates how the use of phages combined with oxacillin at subinhibitory concentrations affects the growth of β-lactam-resistant strains, whether dependent or independent of mec resistance genes.
María Alejandra also collaborates with the Antimicrobial Resistance Unit at the Universidad del Bosque (UGRA) and the Fundación Santa Fé de Bogotá, Colombia. Her collaborative work focuses on a comprehensive study of S. aureus, addressing epidemiological, molecular, and clinical aspects of the bacterium and its antibiotic resistance, providing crucial information for the management and control of these infections.
Through her research, María Alejandra aims to better understand antibiotic resistance and develop innovative solutions to tackle this critical challenge in microbiology and public health.