Could you provide some information about yourself and your scientific background, including previous studies and degrees you have obtained?

My name is Maria Vazquez, and I am from Spain. I graduated in Biotechnology from the University of Murcia. I continued my scientific career at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, where I completed my master’s degree in food science and engineering. I am particularly interested in food science, but above all, I want to specialise in the field of microbiology.

Could you describe your scientific research and previous projects, listing your key expertise and skills?

I was very interested in microbiology and worked as a laboratory technician in a microbiology department in a technology centre. During that period, I learned several kinds of microbiological techniques. Additionally, I conducted my research, which focused on cellulose production from bacteria.

Before pursuing this PhD, I worked as a research support technician at the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA-CSIC). I was part of the Systems Biology in Yeast of Biotechnological Interest group (SBYBI). At SBYBI, the research focused on the genetics, physiology, and metabolism of industrial yeast, mainly those used in oenological processes.

What was the motivation for joining the Eco2Wine project?

I am particularly interested in microbiology, so joining the Eco2Wine project is a good opportunity to further develop my knowledge in this area. I also look forward to working with PhD students from other research groups.

What is the motivation and aim of your PhD project?

The aim of my project is to study microbial interactions in wine from a metabolomics perspective. By characterising the nature of the interactions among microorganisms in wine, in this project, I will investigate metabolite production and explore how interactions between species can influence the synthesis of these molecules. To achieve this, I will employ both non-targeted and targeted metabolic approaches.

Could you write a few sentences about yourself, your hobbies, and your interests?

I consider myself committed to my work, which I carry out in a responsible, methodological, and motivated manner. I enjoy working in a team where I can share ideas and knowledge to achieve a better result. Additionally, I love travelling because it provides an excellent opportunity for personal growth.