R. Daniel Cervantes Villagrana
rdancervantes@hotmail.com

My academic background includes a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemical Biology from the Autonomous University of Zacatecas, a M.S. in Neuropharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics from Cinvestav, Coapa, and a Ph.D in Pharmacology at Cinvestav, Zacatenco.

I am interested in studying tumor angiogenesis and the formation of metastatic niches. During my Ph.D. studies I analyzed the communication between bone marrow-derived cells and tumor cells and the molecular basis of cell migration with emphasis on signaling mechanisms activated by Gi-coupledon chemotactic receptors. I am currently investigating how RhoGEFs (P-REX1 and RGS-RhoGEFs) control tumor and endothelial cell migration induced by heterotrimeric G proteins and the Met receptor activated by HGF.

In addition to science, I enjoy listening and composing music (rock / metal and classical music are my favorite genres). Reading and movies about mythology, history, science fiction, unusual events and criminal cases are my favorite hobbies.

Yarely Mabell  Beltrán Navarro
yare_beltran6@hotmail.com

I graduated at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa as pharmaceutical chemist & biologist.

I’m interested in signal transduction from a pharmacological point of view to understand relevant pathways controlling cell migration and angiogenic processes and to identify potential pharmacological targets.

I obtained my Master in Science degree in Pharmacology in 2018 and I’m currently a Ph.D. student. My project focuses on the characterization of P-REX1 as a scaffold and effector of the Gbetagamma-PI3Kgamma-mTORC2-AKT signaling pathway that participates in cell migration. P-REX1 is a Rac GTPase GEF and contains several domains that interact with various proteins, functioning as a signaling node and exacerbating the signal transduction, which activates the RacGEF itself and increases cell migration. Understanding this macromolecular complex will set the basis for pharmacological intervention aiming to control aberrant cell migration.

As hobbies I love going to the movies and listening to music.

Dante Gustavo Juan-Guadarrama
dante.juan@cinvestav.mx
dante-322@hotmail.com

I obtained a BSc in pharmaceutical chemistry and biology at Universidad La Salle México. As a mater’s student, my interest is on data mining strategies to characterize oncogenic signaling pathways. I have focused my efforts on ephexins, a group of RhoGEFs involved in cell migration with putative metastatic implications. Through data mining, I characterized ephexin expression in 32 cancer types. Based on synthetic lethality data, I focused on ephexin 3, which is essential in a variety of cancer cells. Applying computing tools, I identified a repertoire of ephexin 3-signaling partners specialized on cell migration which, as transcriptional signatures, correlate with poor survival of cancer patients. We propose a signaling axis integrated by ephexin 3 likely involved in metastatic cancer progression. Identification of novel ephexin 3 signaling partners guide us to advance on hypothesis-driven assays to address their potential in cancer cell migration and metastatic dissemination in preclinical models. Our long term aim is to advance our knowledge on RhoGEFs as metastatic oncogenic effectors, potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers. I enjoy running, listening to music and animation series.