María Florencia Martínez
With a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and a PhD in Biological Sciences from the National University of Rosario, Argentina, Ms. Martinez has a strong foundation in molecular biology techniques, particularly in agronomically important plants and their defense against viral pathogens like Potato Virus X (PVX) and Tobacco Necrosis Virus A (TNVA). During her studies, she focused on diagnosing phytoplasma and spiroplasma infections in maize crops, leading to the establishment of a molecular assay for pathogen detection. In her PhD, she investigated the molecular mechanisms of plant responses to PVX and TNVA, conducting transcriptomics analyses and characterizing immunity responses at a molecular level. She also explored the use of a rosemary-derived biostimulant to enhance plant defense responses against pathogens, employing histochemical and molecular analyses. Additionally, she gained expertise in omics technologies such as metabolomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics, furthering her understanding of plant-pathogen interactions. Through her academic journey, she actively contributed to scientific events, pursued professional development, and mentored undergraduate students, demonstrating her commitment to innovative research in plant molecular biology.