Profile

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Estela Gonzalez Fernandez

My CV

  • Education:

    Elementary school: Divino Salvador.
    Secondary school: Carraqueira.
    University of Vigo (Bsc in Biology).
    University Complutense of Madrid (Msc in Clinical Analysis and PhD in Microbiology and Parasitology)

  • Qualifications:

    In Spain grades usually are up to 10. Regarding this, my qualifications are:
    Secondary school, 8.75.
    BSc Biology, 6.6.
    MSc Clinical Analysis, 8.8.
    PhD Microbiology and Parasitology, 10.

  • Work History:

    I worked as a waitress during the summer holidays and bank holidays while studying the BSc in Biology. Also, during the MSc, I have a part-time job as a waitress in the mornings and went to the Uni in the afternoon/evenings.
    My first science-related job was at the Medical Entomology Laboratory in the National Centre for Microbiology in Madrid. There I carried out entomological surveys and analyse the collected insects. More specifically, we were interested in analyse the sandflies present in the region, because they can transmit a parasite called Leishmania.

  • Current Job:

    I work as a Postdoctoral Scientist in the Arthropod Genetics Group at The Pirbright Institute, in Woking. The group is focused in using synthetic biology to create new, environmentally-friendly tools and strategies to reduce the harm caused by pest insects, especially mosquitoes.

    • About Me:

      I’m a nature and sports lover. I try to spend all the time I can outdoors.

    • Read more

      I’m from Spain and moved to the UK 2 years ago. I have two lovely cats. In my spare time, I love playing basketball, doing Bootcamp sessions, reading and hiking. I can spend hours and hours walking and looking for insects and birds.

    • Read more

      There are many mosquitoes species, and other insects, that can transmit diseases to animals and to humans. Classic methods like insecticides are not always suitable or the best way to fight against them. Genetic approaches are now been studied to help in this fight agains mosquitoes. For example, we do research to genetically modify mosquitoes  to be sterile, spread a lethal treat into the mosquito population.

    • My Typical Day:

      First thing I do in the morning is to cuddle my cats, have breakfast and read the news on the internet. Once at work, I usually spend most of the time looking after the mosquitoes in the insectary (try no to be bitten by them).

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      First thing I do in the morning is to cuddle my cats, have breakfast and read the news on the internet. Once I arrive work, I go to check on the mosquito colonies we have in the insectary and see that everything is alright. We need to be sure that the environmental conditions are ok, not too cold, not too warm, the correct humidity. Then, depending on the day, I have to feed the mosquito larvae, cross mosquitoes to have new generations, bloodfeed the females… In short, have the mosquitoes happy so we can continue our experiments. Some days, I spend hours on the microscope looking mosquitoes.

    • My Interview

      • How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

        Curious, tenacious, bookworm

        What did you want to be after you left school?

        A scientist

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        No

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Nightwish

        What's your favourite food?

        Pizza

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Have a house with garden and adopt a dog, travel and explore whole Europe, have my own library

        Tell us a joke.

        Mosquitoes are like family, annoying, but they carry your blood

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