DC3 – Raquel Vaya Ayora
Bacterial glycoconjugates as targets for new therapeutics and diagnostics.
UNINA
Name of your main supervisor and affiliation:
Title: Prof
Name: Roberta
Surname: Marchetti
Short name of your main supervisor affiliation: UNINA
Name of your co-supervisor(s) and their affiliation
Title: Dr
Name: Lianne
Surname: Willems
Short name of your co-supervisor affiliation: UY
Starting date of your project: 01.11.25
Could you give a few information about yourself and your scientific background, including previous studies and obtained degrees?
I hold a Biotechnology degree with a molecular specialization and a Master’s in Advanced Microbiology, both from the University of Barcelona. My theses were conducted at IRTA and CSIC respectively, and I later worked for two years as a junior researcher at IQS under an INVESTIGO fellowship.
Could you provide details about your scientific research, and previous projects, listing your key expertise and skills?
For my Bachelor’s thesis, I developed a cyclodextrin polymer clean-up method to detect ciguatoxins in fish using cell-based assays. My Master’s thesis focused on antibiotic resistance, analyzing resistance genes in wastewater and river samples through DNA extraction and qPCR. As an INVESTIGO fellow at IQS, I worked on bacterial transformations and cultures, DNA, RNA, and protein purification, bioinformatics, proteomics, and transcriptomics. All three projects contributed to scientific publications.
What was the motivation for joining the Aureus project?
I’m eager to join AUREUS to address multidrug-resistant S. aureus, a major global health concern. The project aligns with my interest in bacterial physiology and offers the chance to develop my expertise in NMR and protein–ligand modelling to support innovative therapeutic research.
What is the motivation and aim of your PhD project?
My PhD aims to characterise S. aureus glycoconjugates to identify novel therapeutic and diagnostic targets. I’m motivated to deepen my understanding of bacterial mechanisms while advancing my biomolecular, analytical, and computational skills, as this project represents a key step in my scientific career.
Could you write a few sentences about yourself, your hobbies, interests?
I love research and creativity. My hobbies include programming, videogames, travelling, and diving. I’m an Advanced and Nitrox diver aiming to become an instructor. I enjoy all water sports and exploring challenges that mix science, technology, and adventure.

