Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez | Microbiome | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Mrs. Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez | Microbiome | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez, université laval, Canada

Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez is a passionate and multilingual health sciences researcher with over 13 years of experience, including more than 4 years in clinical research. Currently pursuing dual PhDs in Plant Biology at Université Laval and in Biotechnology Innovation at CIATEJ, Mexico, Blanca blends cutting-edge science with applied biotechnology. Her work emphasizes the role of bioactive compounds, gut microbiota, and AI-based diagnostics in human health. A published author in high-impact journals and co-inventor of several patents, she has presented her research internationally and advised research-driven companies such as Grupo Mabiosis. Blanca is fluent in French, English, and Spanish, enabling her to effectively communicate and collaborate in global scientific contexts. Her commitment to scientific excellence, innovation, and societal impact makes her a standout among emerging researchers.

Publication Profile: 

Scopus

✅ Strengths for the Award:

  1. Exceptional Academic Background
    Blanca is pursuing dual PhD programs in Plant Biology (Université Laval, Canada) and Biotechnology Innovation (CIATEJ, Mexico), showcasing academic rigor and international collaboration.

  2. Multilingual & Multicultural
    Fluent in French, English, and Spanish, enabling her to communicate and collaborate globally—an asset in modern scientific research environments.

  3. Innovative Research Focus
    Her work integrates bioactive compounds, gut microbiota, microbiome diagnostics, and AI/mathematical modeling—fields that align with global research trends in personalized health, nutrition, and biotechnology.

  4. Impressive Research Output
    Blanca has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and is co-inventor on several international patents, indicating both scientific innovation and practical application.

  5. Leadership and Collaboration
    Serves as a Postgraduate Research Assistant and Scientific Advisor, managing multidisciplinary research projects and mentoring younger scientists—key traits for a future leader in science.

🔍 Areas for Improvement:

  • Public Science Communication
    Although Blanca is a strong scientific communicator, more active public outreach or science popularization efforts (e.g., TEDx talks, public blogs) could boost her visibility and societal impact.

  • Industry-Academia Collaboration
    She could enhance the translational value of her research through stronger industry partnerships or startup initiatives in biotech or diagnostics sectors.

🎓 Education:

Blanca holds a Master’s degree in Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, which laid the foundation for her specialization in bioactive compounds and clinical applications. She is currently completing dual PhD programs—one in Plant Biology at Université Laval, Québec, Canada, and another in Biotechnology Innovation Sciences at CIATEJ, Guadalajara, Mexico. Her doctoral research is highly interdisciplinary, integrating fields such as molecular biology, AI-assisted modeling, microbiology, and preclinical testing. Through these programs, she has gained expertise in both fundamental plant-based biocompounds and their translational potential in human health. Her international education trajectory also reflects her adaptability and collaborative research mindset. Blanca’s academic training emphasizes not just scientific rigor but also cross-cultural communication and innovation-driven thinking—traits essential for cutting-edge biomedical research in today’s interconnected world.

🧪 Experience:

Blanca’s experience spans over 13 years in scientific research, including 4+ years in clinical and biomedical fields. Since 2020, she has worked as a Postgraduate Research Assistant at INAF, Université Laval, in collaboration with CIATEJ, Mexico. Her role involves experimental design, data modeling using bioinformatics and AI, and presenting findings at international forums. Additionally, she serves as a Scientific Advisor to Grupo Mabiosis, overseeing project planning and scientific protocol development. Blanca is skilled in in vitro biological evaluations, microbiology techniques, and protocol optimization. She is also a proficient scientific communicator, contributing to journal articles, book chapters, and conference proceedings. With extensive experience managing research projects from conceptualization to publication and regulatory filings, Blanca exemplifies leadership and innovation in her field. Her blend of academic insight and real-world application gives her a unique edge in the research landscape.

🔬 Research Focus:

Blanca’s research revolves around the interaction between bioactive compounds and the gut microbiota, with a strong emphasis on prebiotics, synbiotics, and the health impacts of polyphenols and flavonoids. She investigates the biological effects of natural compounds using in vitro models such as SHIME® and twin-M-SHIME®, alongside advanced microbiological and analytical techniques. Blanca incorporates AI and bioinformatics to model gut health and predict microbiota behavior in response to dietary interventions. Her recent studies explore how modified flavonoids enhance microbial fermentation and contribute to gut-brain and gut-immune axis functions. Blanca also works on mathematical modeling to support diagnostic tools using microbiome signatures—an area backed by patent filings. This research bridges plant biology, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and nutritional sciences, offering innovative strategies for disease prevention and health optimization. Her ultimate aim is to develop personalized health interventions based on microbiome composition and functional dietary compounds.

📚 Publications Top Notes:

🔬 Novel acylated naringin enhances propionate release and stimulates the growth of flavanone-metabolizing bacteria in an in vitro batch fermentation model (Life, 2025)
🧫 Prebiotic-like Effects of Proanthocyanidin-Rich Aronia Extract Supplementation on Gut Microbiota Composition and Function in the Twin-M-SHIME® model (Pharmaceuticals, 2025)
🦠 Anticandidal and Antibiofilm Effect of Synbiotics including Probiotics and Inulin-Type Fructans (Antibiotics, 2022)
👧 Digestibility and Bioaccessibility of Leaf Protein Concentrates and their Impact on Children Gut Microbiota (Waste and Biomass Valorization, 2022)
🧠 A Diagnostic and Treatment System Based on the Gut Microbiota Balance (Novel Techniques in Nutrition and Food Science, 2019 – Commentary)
🍃 In vitro evaluation of prebiotic activity, pathogen inhibition and enzymatic metabolism of intestinal bacteria in the presence of fructans extracted from agave: A comparison based on polymerization degree (LWT, 2018)
📖 Book Chapter: “Managing Bioactive Substances”, “Nutritional Intervention: A Practical Perspective”, Universidad de Guadalajara (in publication)

🧾 Conclusion:

Blanca Elizabeth Ruiz Alvarez stands out as a highly qualified and driven young scientist with a solid track record of scientific excellence, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her work directly addresses critical global challenges in health, nutrition, and sustainable biotechnology, supported by her scholarly outputs and international research roles.

Romain Villéger | Host-bacteria interactions | Cell Metabolism Award

Published on by Cell Biologist

Assist. Prof. Dr. Romain Villéger | Host-bacteria interactions | Cell Metabolism Award

Assist. Prof. Dr. Romain Villéger , Université de Poitiers , France

Dr. Romain Villéger is an Assistant Professor at the University of Poitiers, France, in the Ecology & Biology of Interactions (EBI) lab, within the Microorganisms-Hosts-Environments (MHE) team. With a Ph.D. from the University of Limoges, his work explores the intricate interactions between probiotics and host cells. He has held postdoctoral positions at the University of Bordeaux and the University of Texas Medical Branch, USA, focusing on microbiota-host relationships and metabolomics. Dr. Villéger’s research aims to unravel the role of bacterial interactions, particularly in the context of gastrointestinal health, microbiota, and cancer. His research has led to significant advancements in understanding microbial pathogenesis, including the effects of probiotics and endocrine disruptors on host cell metabolism. A dedicated researcher, he has contributed to numerous scientific publications and currently leads several high-impact projects on bacteria-host interactions.

Publication Profile:

Scopus

Strengths for the Award:

  1. Expertise in Metabolomics: Dr. Romain Villéger’s extensive work in metabolomics, especially in the context of host-bacteria interactions, positions him as a strong candidate for the Cell Metabolism Award. His research on bacterial influence on host cellular metabolism and gut microbiota interactions contributes significantly to the field of cellular metabolism.
  2. Innovative Research Contributions: His research, particularly on the metabolic changes during amoeba-Legionella interactions, showcases a novel approach to understanding microbial pathogenesis. By identifying metabolic vulnerabilities in pathogens, his work has the potential for therapeutic applications, thus addressing fundamental questions in cell metabolism.
  3. Multidisciplinary Approach: Dr. Villéger combines microbiology, immunology, and metabolomics, which enriches his contributions to cellular metabolism. His research is collaborative, evidenced by numerous projects across different institutions and fields, indicating a broad and innovative approach to the subject.
  4. Publications and Impact: He has a strong publication record, with numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals (19 publications), with high visibility in top-tier journals such as British Journal of Cancer, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, and Environmental Microbiology Reports. This demonstrates his influence and impact in the scientific community.
  5. Research Leadership: As the principal investigator of multiple projects, including those on the effects of phthalates on gut microbiota and cancer development, Dr. Villéger has demonstrated leadership in advancing scientific knowledge in areas that intersect with cell metabolism, host-microbe interactions, and metabolic changes in disease.

Areas for Improvement:

  1. Broader Clinical Translation: While his research shows deep insights into fundamental mechanisms, further work on translating these findings into practical clinical applications or therapeutic interventions would strengthen his impact in applied cellular metabolism.
  2. Interdisciplinary Team Development: While Dr. Villéger collaborates with many renowned researchers, fostering additional interdisciplinary partnerships could enrich his research by incorporating diverse techniques and perspectives from fields like drug development or personalized medicine.
  3. Expanding Metabolomic Toolkits: His research could benefit from exploring emerging and cutting-edge techniques in metabolomics, like single-cell analysis or multi-omics approaches, to gain deeper insights into cellular metabolism at the individual cell level.

Education:

Dr. Villéger completed his Ph.D. at the University of Limoges, where his thesis focused on the interactions between probiotics and host cells. His postdoctoral work spans institutions in France, the USA, and beyond, each contributing valuable insights into microbial-host dynamics and cellular microbiology. At the University of Bordeaux, he developed metabolomic approaches using GC/MS to study microbiota interactions. Later, at the University of Texas Medical Branch, he delved deeper into the effects of probiotics on intestinal homeostasis. Further postdoctoral experiences at the University of Clermont Auvergne involved examining the relationship between E. coli and colorectal cancer. Through these experiences, Dr. Villéger has gained expertise in microbiota research, cell biology, and metabolic analysis, providing a foundation for his ongoing work in the field. His education has provided a strong interdisciplinary framework, integrating microbiology, molecular biology, and toxicology into his research.

Experience:

Dr. Villéger has accumulated extensive experience in both academic and research settings. After earning his Ph.D. in 2014, he completed several postdoctoral positions, with notable work at the University of Bordeaux, where he pioneered metabolomics techniques for microbiota research. His tenure at the University of Texas Medical Branch expanded his focus to the effects of probiotics on intestinal homeostasis. Additionally, his work at the University of Clermont Auvergne involved exploring the connection between microbial interactions and cancer. Since joining the University of Poitiers in 2020 as an Assistant Professor, Dr. Villéger has led several research projects, including investigating the impact of endocrine disruptors on colorectal cancer development. He is also a leader in metabolomics and microbial pathogenesis, with a particular focus on bacteria-host interactions and microbiota modulation. His research has contributed to numerous publications and collaborations with institutions worldwide, showcasing his ability to manage complex research projects.

Research Focus:

Dr. Villéger’s research primarily focuses on bacteria-host interactions, gut microbiota, and cellular microbiology, with a special interest in how microbial populations affect host metabolism. His work integrates metabolomics, a powerful tool for studying metabolic processes, to better understand microbial influence on host cells. Dr. Villéger’s recent studies explore the role of oxidative stress in microbial infections, including Legionella pneumophila’s subversion of host immune defenses during infection. He has also investigated the impact of endocrine disruptors on microbial virulence, providing insights into the potential links between environmental factors and microbial pathogenesis. His contributions to understanding the microbiota-gut-brain axis, particularly in the context of colorectal cancer, emphasize the metabolic changes induced by bacterial interactions. Dr. Villéger’s research aims to identify biomarkers for disease and therapeutic interventions, with a broader goal of advancing precision medicine through a better understanding of the cellular and metabolic processes that underlie microbial-host dynamics.

Publications Top Notes:

  1. Legionella pneumophila subverts the antioxidant defenses of its amoeba host Acanthamoeba castellanii 💥🦠
  2. Increased Activity of MAPKAPK2 within Mesenchymal Cells as a Target for Inflammation-Associated Fibrosis in Crohn’s Disease 🔬🧬
  3. Exposure to endocrine disruptors promotes biofilm formation and contributes to increased virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa 💧🦠
  4. Loss of alcohol dehydrogenase 1B in cancer-associated fibroblasts: contribution to the increase of tumor-promoting IL-6 in colon cancer 🧬🦠
  5. Effect of endocrine disruptors on bacterial virulence 🌿🧪
  6. Proteomic analysis of Acanthamoeba castellanii response to Legionella pneumophila infection 🔬🦠
  7. Disruption of retinol-mediated IL-6 expression in colon cancer-associated fibroblasts: new perspectives on the role of vitamin A metabolism 🧬🍊
  8. Microbiota medicine: towards clinical revolution 🌍💊
  9. Deletion of cystathionine-γ-lyase in bone marrow-derived cells promotes colitis-associated carcinogenesis 🔬🦠
  10. Prebiotic Isomaltooligosaccharide Provides an Advantageous Fitness to the Probiotic Bacillus subtilis CU1 🍞🦠

Conclusion:

Dr. Romain Villéger is a highly qualified candidate for the Cell Metabolism Award. His research contributions in understanding microbial influence on cellular metabolism and gut health, combined with his innovative approach to metabolomics, make him stand out in the field. His work bridges basic science and potential clinical applications, positioning him as a key figure in the ongoing exploration of microbial and metabolic influences on host physiology. With some expansion into clinical applications and further exploration of new metabolomics techniques, his contributions could significantly impact both scientific knowledge and medical practice.