Ruben Alvarez-Fernandez

I started my degree in Biology in 1996, at the University of Oviedo. After two years I started my specialisation in Biotechnology, and finished my degree in 2000. During that time I realised that the best way of pursuing my interests in Botany, Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Genetics was by combining them. Thus, I walked into Plant Physiology and Biotechnology, and started my PhD. I worked for two years in hops biotechnology in collaboration with a company, acquiring tissue culture-related skills (protoplast culture, cell culture, organogenesis and genetic transformation). Then I moved into cork oak biotechnology, and finished my PhD with a Thesis on cork oak genetic transformation. That was a milestone in my career. Efforts had been done by other groups using zygotic embryos, not true-to-type to their parent plants. However I used somatic embryos derived from leaves, and therefore mine was the first report of a protocol to genetically modify adult cork oak while preserving its genotype of interest. During this period I strengthened my background in genetic transformation and further developed my tissue culture skills. After that, I joined a short project on manipulating the life cycle of Streptomyces for commercial applications, including antibiotic production. Here I acquired skills on microbiology and protein activity assays, and developed my interest in applied science. Then I moved back into my career line in plants, and joined a project aimed to understand the molecular and physiological basis of the response of Eucalyptus to drought. The goal was very applied: to find molecular markers for marker-assisted selection or water-stress tolerant plants. During this period I acquired experience in physiological analysis, reversed-phase chromatography, HPLC, radioimmunoassay, field work, organisational and planning skills, and worked with large amounts of data. Very importantly, it was my first real postdoctoral position. Therefore I was responsible of a research line and its integration with the rest of the project. Next I moved abroad, with the aim of further acquire skills. I chose the UK to gain fluency in English, a key factor in my career, and I chose the Molecular Evolution lab at the University of Cambridge to gain expertise in molecular biology. I was awarded with a fellowship that allowed me to work at the lab for two years. In that time I developed my engaging and communication skills, I became fluent in English, I acquired further teaching experience by demonstrating and supervising undergraduate students, and established collaborations with important groups. I also obtained a strong background in molecular biology and scanning electron microscopy, and managed my research project in collaboration with my supervisor. Finally, for one year I explored the publishing aspect of Science, working for Elsevier Ltd. During this time I very strongly developed my organisational skills, working remotely. I managed large databases of concepts as Scientific Curator (Molecular Biology Expert), revised book chapters dealing with authors when necessary, and contributed to the publishing of a book on Molecular and Cell Biology Methods (Methods Navigator). My current interest is, after having acquired a strong background and a range of skills, establish my own research line in plants. I look forward to produce applied science of commercial interest.