Ana Terriente-Felix
Cambridge,UK
Summary
Molecular biologist with PhD and 15+ years' experience in signalling pathways, mitochondrial biology, neurodegeneration and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing; a proven track record at publishing and at building genetic screenings, phenotypic analysis and automated image-analysis workflows. Based in academia, have delivered insights linking inflammatory pathways to mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegeneration. Extremely motivated to apply my skills to translational medicine in order to identify and prioritise key disease genes susceptible for therapeutic and intervention.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Research Associate
MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit
Cambridge
2023.03 - 2026.03
• Investigated the genetic interaction between the mitochondrial protein PINK1 and JAK-STAT inflammatory signalling.
• Characterised the gut pathology in Drosophila PINK1 mutants, including patterning defects, dysbiosis and leaky gut.
• Co-led a functional genomics screening that targeted 1,387 nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes. Organised gene lists, reagent tracking, and curated analysis using R-programming.
• Cross-site collaborations: analysed PINK1 ubiquitin phosphorylation activity (MRC-PPU, Miratul Muqit); Optimised CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tools in Drosophila (LMB, Simon Bullock); Developed functional analysis on Drosophila MTFP1 (MRC-MBU, JulianPrudent).
• Built automated FIJI pipelines for mitochondrial morphology and co-
localisation/exclusion analysis.
• Co-Chair of the MRC-MBU Green team. Helped to achieve Gold LEAF standard.
Research Assistant/Lab manager
MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit
Cambridge
2017.03 - 2023.03
• Ran lab operations (procurement, reagent catalogue, equipment coordination)
• Performed independent experiments and molecular cloning (SnapGene, Gibson assembly)
• Performed cell culture based experiments.
• Supported multiple projects with protocol optimisation and assay
standardisation; mentored junior researchers and students.
• Took part of outreach activities
• Worked closely with the H&S officer, the purchasing officer and the maintenance team
• Maintained an optimum level of communication with my line manager
EMBO short-term Fellow
University of Cambridge
Cambridge
2016.09 - 2016.12
• Completed cell culture experiments underpinning a Drosophila model of myeloproliferative disorder (JAK gain-of-function).
Marie Curie-sklodowska fellowship/COFUND
Institute for Research in Biomedicine
Barcelona
2014.01 - 2016.03
• Bridged Drosophila developmental biology and p38 MAPK/tumorigenesis in myeloproliferative disorders caused by JAK gain-of-function mutations.
• Led analyses connecting JAK-STAT signalling to p38 MAPK signalling during tumorigenesis
Research Associate
University of Cambridge
Cambridge (UK)
2010.11 - 2013.10
• Investigated Drosophila hematopoiesis with a focus on Notch signaling in the regulation of binary cell fate decisions.
Research assistant
University of Cambridge
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
2009.10 - 2010.10
• Characterised the expression pattern of neuropeptide receptor PdfR in
Drosophila gut visceral muscles.
• Analysed the function of Pdf/PdfR axis in the regulation of gut peristalsis.
EMBO short-term fellowship
Erasmus Medical Centre
Rotterdam (The Netherland)
2009.05 - 2009.08
• Performed ChIP on SWI/SNF Brahma complex at EGFR target genes
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Centro de Biología Molecular SO
Madrid (Spain), Spain
2008.07 - 2009.04
• Demonstrated that the chromatin remodeler Kismet/CHD7 represses Hedgehog expression in Drosophila wing imaginal discs.
Ph. D. Student
Centro de Biología Molecular SO
Madrid (Spain), Spain
2003.03 - 2008.07
• Executed a mutagenesis screens to identify Drosophila genes regulating wing size/vein patterning.
• Investigated the role of chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF Brahma in the
regulation of EGFR signaling during Drosophila wing vein differentiation.
Education
PhD in Molecular Biology - Analysis of the regulation of EGFR targets genes by the chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF
Centro de Biologia Molecular, S.O
Madrid (Spain) 03/2003 - 06/2008
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry and Chemistry
Universidad de Granada
Granada (Spain)09.2002
Skills
Molecular biology: Molecular cloning using In-Fusion and Gibson assembly, PCR genotyping, RNA extraction, cDNA library preparation and RT-qPCR
Data handling - including R programming (tidyverse and basic)
Cell culture techniques: aseptic technique; freezing cells; medium; passaging cells, transfections, FACS sorting
Image analysis using FIJI and R programming
Scientific acumen
Laboratory management: purchasing, inventory, provide training for good laboratory practices, liaise with purchasing office, maintenance team, H&S office and commercial reps I provide help to speed-up protocols, to improve their efficiency and make them sustainable
Communication skills: good at taking part of a multidisciplinary team, large experience at presenting scientific work, good at writing protocols and at applying for grants
Certification
• MRC‑MBU Unit Award for community contributions (2024)
• MRC Project Grant (PI team) scored Excellent (2023)
• EMBO Short‑Term Fellowships (2009, 2016)
• Marie Skłodowska‑Curie COFUND Fellowship (2014)
Additional Information
∙ Terriente-Felix A, Wilson E, Whitworth. PLOS Genetics. (2020) Oct 21;16(10).
∙ Terriente-Felix A, Li J, Collins S, Mulligan A, Reekie I, Bernard F, Krejci A and Bray S. (2013) Development 140(4): 926-37.
∙ Talsma A, Christov C, Terriente-Felix A, Linneweber G, Perea D, Waylan M, Shafer O. and Miguel-Aliaga I (2012). PNAS, 109(30): 12177–12182.
Teaching, Mentoring & Leadership
Demonstrator: Drosophila & fluorescence microscopy; Biology of the Cell (2019–2025).
Mentor: visiting PhD (Università degli Studi di Padova, 2025); visiting student (UAM, 2024); one part II student (2013), two PhDs (2019-2062), and five RAs from the lab.
Community roles: Co-chair CIMR/MBU Green Committee (2023-2026); current member of the Organising committee at the Cambridge Fly Club; Member of the MBU Postdoc Society (2023-2026).
Timeline
Research Associate
MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit
2023.03 - 2026.03
Research Assistant/Lab manager
MRC-Mitochondrial Biology Unit
2017.03 - 2023.03
EMBO short-term Fellow
University of Cambridge
2016.09 - 2016.12
Marie Curie-sklodowska fellowship/COFUND
Institute for Research in Biomedicine
2014.01 - 2016.03
Research Associate
University of Cambridge
2010.11 - 2013.10
Research assistant
University of Cambridge
2009.10 - 2010.10
EMBO short-term fellowship
Erasmus Medical Centre
2009.05 - 2009.08
Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Centro de Biología Molecular SO
2008.07 - 2009.04
Ph. D. Student
Centro de Biología Molecular SO
2003.03 - 2008.07
PhD in Molecular Biology - Analysis of the regulation of EGFR targets genes by the chromatin remodeler SWI/SNF
Centro de Biologia Molecular, S.O
03/2003 - 06/2008
Bachelor of Science - Biochemistry and Chemistry
Universidad de Granada