Kenia Barrantes Jiménez, Ph.D.
Department Coordination
- Ph.D. in Natural Science for the Development, DOCINADE
- M.Sc. in Microbiology, University of Costa Rica
18 people committed to studying Costa Rica's microbial ecosystems.
Luz Chacón is a researcher and lecturer at the University of Costa Rica, where she is a member of the Institute for Health Research (INISA) and the Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Microbial Genetics in Aquatic Environments (LEGEMA). She has a background in microbiology and molecular epidemiology, and conducts research into environmental epidemiological surveillance using the One Health approach. She currently leads and collaborates on projects relating to wastewater-based surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, emerging pathogens and environmental microbiology, integrating molecular, genomic and epidemiological tools to understand the circulation of microorganisms and genes relevant to public health. She also participates in initiatives aimed at improving access to and safety of water in communities with limited access to water supply and sanitation services. Her work seeks to strengthen the use of environmental surveillance as a strategic tool for the early detection of health risks and for understanding the interaction between human health, the environment and aquatic systems, particularly in tropical and resource-limited settings.
Bradd Mendoza-Guido is a Ph.D. student and researcher at the Laboratory of Molecular and Microbial Epidemiology of Aquatic Environments at the Institute for Health Research at the University of Costa Rica. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in bacteriology. He currently leads several projects that combine bioinformatics and genomic analyses with experimental laboratory assays, with the goal of understanding the role of plasmids and other mobile genetic elements in bacterial adaptation, particularly their contribution to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Bradd seeks to continue demonstrating that mobile genetic elements should not be considered mere vectors of traits, but rather molecular symbionts that interact with bacteria under the same evolutionary and ecological dynamics that govern all living organisms.
Karen Valverde Méndez is a biologist specializing in Biotechnology and holds a master’s degree in Biology with a focus on Genetics and Molecular Biology. She is a researcher and professor at the University of Costa Rica, with experience in molecular biology, virology, molecular diagnostics, and bioinformatics. Her research career has included the study of plant viruses, insect vectors, and microbial communities associated with insects, as well as the application of molecular and metagenomic techniques. She has served as a principal investigator and co-investigator on projects involving plant virology, metagenomics of bacterial endosymbionts, phytoplasmas, and Xylella fastidiosa. More recently, she has participated in projects involving wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance and the detection of viruses of public health importance. As part of LEGEMA, she is expanding her expertise to the study of aquatic environments, with a focus on characterizing microbial communities and antimicrobial resistance genes in tropical river ecosystems, integrating molecular, physicochemical, and environmental data.
Practical experience in molecular biology techniques and bioinformatics analysis. Has contributed to research published in indexed international journals, including a metagenomic study of bacterial communities in wastewater treatment systems. Combines strong technical skills in wet lab work with computational tools for genomic analysis, with an interest in specializing in environmental biotechnology and applied bioinformatics. The thesis focuses on antibiotic resistance profiles in bacteria from an urban river in San José, Costa Rica.
She is currently working on her final graduation project in collaboration with INISA, focusing on how environmental determinants impact water quality in indigenous communities. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring new places. Thesis Topic: Description of the environmental determinants associated with water resources and their potential impact on water quality for the improvement of environmental health in the communities of Ojo de Agua and Calienta Tigre (Boruca) in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica, during the 2025–2026 period.
Throughout her career, she has collaborated on projects at various research centers, including the Center for Research on Hematology and Related Disorders, the Center for Research on Tropical Diseases, and, more recently, the Institute for Health Research (INISA). Her work at INISA has involved the use of molecular techniques, such as endpoint PCR and qPCR, to detect viruses and bacteria, as well as genes associated with antimicrobial resistance, in various types of water samples. He is currently working on his final graduation project at this institute, which involves exposing strains of Aeromonas hydrophila to ciprofloxacin and caffeine to determine their effect on the development of antimicrobial resistance. Luis has also worked as an intern in clinical and industrial quality control laboratories, where he has had the opportunity to learn about the different workflows in these settings and the importance of adhering to quality control standards to ensure the quality of laboratory work. Luis has focused extensively on the use of molecular biology as a tool in various areas of science. The study of pathogens in natural and wastewater samples, and their utility in epidemiological surveillance, has been a topic of great interest and value to him recently. In addition, Luis is particularly drawn to the field of hematology, where genetics and molecular biology also converge as tools for diagnosing and studying various disorders. Project Effect of exposure to ciprofloxacin and caffeine on the development of antibiotic resistance in Aeromonas hydrophila.
My research experience spans three main areas. In animal behavior, I have administered drugs to various species of arthropods to evaluate their effects on the nervous system. In neurobiology, I participated in behavioral studies aimed at preventing Parkinson’s disease in mouse models. Currently, I work in bioinformatics: I analyze the microbiome of the Coffea arabica epidermis using 16S gene sequencing, and I am developing my thesis on the environmental plasmidome of a contaminated river, comparing three assembly tools to identify the most efficient workflow for detecting genes of interest, such as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Topic: Evaluation of assembly approaches based on short, long, and hybrid reads for the identification of the environmental plasmidome.
He is currently in his final semester of the Bachelor's Degree in Biology. He has worked as an assistant at INISA for one year. He is interested in molecular ecology, specifically in the study of environmental microorganisms and the extent to which they are affected by pollutants. He is also passionate about studying the biocontrol potential of bacteria and fungi against pests that affect crops of economic and cultural importance. He is drawn to bioinformatics and is currently training in the use of metagenomics and transcriptomics for the analysis and resolution of ecological problems. In his free time, he enjoys participating in teaching projects, hiking, and visiting national parks.
A final-year B.Sc. student in Biology, with interests in various fields such as conservation, biotechnology, bacteriology, neurobiology, physiology, orchidology, environmental health and others. I have taken part in projects on the diversity of parasites and potentially zoonotic pathogens in non-human primates. I have also participated in the World Orchid Conference. Currently involved in the project ‘Genomic characterisation and antimicrobial resistance profiles of environmental and clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa’, carried out at the Laboratory of Molecular and Microbial Epidemiology of Aquatic Environments at the Institute of Health Research, University of Costa Rica, led by researcher Bradd Mendoza.
Completed the course “Biochemical and Molecular Aspects of Cancer.” One year as a research assistant at LEGeMA at the Institute for Health Research. Collaborated on the Durazno River project, characterizing Escherichia coli isolates based on their genotype and resistance phenotype. The final project to be developed is based on these isolates obtained from the Durazno River. Interest in bacteriology and antibiotic resistance.
She is currently working on her final graduation project in collaboration with INISA, focusing on how environmental determinants impact water quality in indigenous communities. Her personal interests include enjoying movies, visiting museums, and appreciating various forms of artistic expression. She is also motivated by constantly learning new things, sharing special moments by cooking for the people she cares about, and going hiking. Thesis Topic: Description of the environmental determinants associated with water resources and their potential impact on water quality for the improvement of environmental health in the communities of Ojo de Agua and Calienta Tigre (Boruca) in Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Costa Rica, during the 2025–2026 period.
Passed the course “Biochemical and Molecular Aspects of Cancer.” Participated in projects at the Institute for Health Research and the Medical Bacteriology Laboratory of the UCR’s School of Microbiology, such as the characterization of environmental bacteria and studies using bacteria obtained from water samples. Particular interest in topics related to bacteriology, with a focus on antibiotic resistance and molecular biology. Thesis Effect of various aquatic contaminants (such as nanoplastics, ibuprofen, and caffeine) on the transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in Escherichia coli strains.
Since 2023, Joel has collaborated on various projects at the Institute for Health Research, primarily focusing on the quantification of antimicrobial resistance genes in wastewater and environmental samples. His experience includes the development of molecular biology techniques, such as qPCR, cell cultures, and work with antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, with an emphasis on evaluating the activity of different synthetic surfactants.
She has been collaborating on various projects at the Institute for Health Research for the past 3 years. These projects have primarily focused on the detection of viral loads and antimicrobial resistance genes in wastewater or environmental samples. She has worked with sample filtration protocols, nucleic acid extractions, and molecular techniques, such as endpoint PCR and qPCR. Taimy is currently working on her final graduation thesis through the project: “Epidemiological Surveillance of Viral Circulation in Wastewater in San José, Costa Rica, from March to August 2025,” a collaborative project with the Dr. J.M. Vanella Institute of Virology at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Córdoba, Argentina. This project involves monitoring clinically significant viruses in wastewater using molecular biology techniques. Taimy has a strong interest in the fields of molecular biology and virology, as well as in immunohematology and blood banking.
