Mrs. Araceli Valverde | Periodontology | Best Researcher Award
PhD at Aswan University of Illinois Chicago, United States
Dr. Araceli Maria Valverde-Estepa is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She holds a Ph.D. in Biosciences from the University of Cordoba, Spain, and has completed postdoctoral research in mucosal immunology and biosciences at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on periodontal disease, exploring new treatment modalities to restore alveolar bone homeostasis by targeting endogenous molecules. Dr. Valverde-Estepa has collaborated on multiple projects, including studies on the role of noncoding RNAs in oral and ocular diseases, as well as the immune response to SARS-CoV-2. She has received several awards, including the IADR Periodontal Research Group Past Presidents’ Travel Award, and has presented her work at various international conferences. Her contributions to the field are further evidenced by her publications in peer-reviewed journals and her active involvement in groundbreaking research projects.
Profile
Education
Araceli Maria Valverde-Estepa has a robust academic background rooted in biosciences and translational research. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Cordoba, Spain, in September 2005. Driven by a passion for research, she pursued a Master of Science in Translational Research at the same university, completing it in January 2010. Her academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Biosciences from the University of Cordoba in July 2016, where she focused on advancing our understanding of molecular biology and its applications in health. Following her doctorate, she expanded her expertise through postdoctoral research at the University of Illinois Chicago, specializing in Biosciences and Mucosal Immunology from 2018 to 2019. This rigorous training equipped her with the knowledge and skills necessary for her current research endeavors in periodontal disease and immune response.
Professional Experience
Araceli Maria Valverde-Estepa is a distinguished Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics at the College of Dentistry, University of Illinois Chicago. With a strong academic foundation in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Translational Research, and Biosciences from the University of Cordoba, Spain, she has made significant contributions to the field of mucosal immunology. Araceli has held various academic positions, including Visiting Research Assistant Professor and Adjunct Member of the Graduate Faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her research focuses on periodontal disease, particularly in identifying new treatment modalities to prevent and regenerate alveolar bone. She has been actively involved in several NIH-funded projects, where she played a key role in understanding the role of noncoding RNAs in oral and ocular infections. Her work has led to numerous publications and presentations, establishing her as a leading researcher in periodontal and mucosal immunology.
Research Interest
Araceli Maria Valverde-Estepa’s research interests lie at the intersection of periodontal disease, mucosal immunology, and viral infections, particularly focusing on the role of noncoding RNAs in these areas. Her work aims to discover new therapeutic modalities for periodontal disease by exploring mechanisms involved in bone homeostasis, with a specific interest in promoting osteoblastogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastic function. Additionally, she is involved in cutting-edge research on the interplay between host and viral noncoding RNAs in shaping oral mucosal immunity, with a focus on herpesviruses and SARS-CoV-2. Her studies extend to investigating the role of noncoding RNAs in ocular herpes infections, contributing to a broader understanding of virus-mediated diseases. Through her research, Valverde-Estepa seeks to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for oral diseases, including periodontitis, peri-implantitis, and oral cancer, with the potential to impact global health outcomes significantly.
Research Skills
Araceli Maria Valverde-Estepa is a highly skilled researcher with a robust background in molecular and cellular biology, translational research, and biosciences. Her expertise spans various domains, including periodontal immunology, mucosal immunity, and the intricate mechanisms of viral and host noncoding RNAs. Araceli has demonstrated proficiency in both in vivo and in vitro experimental models, contributing to significant advancements in periodontal disease research. She is adept at coordinating complex research projects, including those funded by prestigious organizations like the NIH. Her skills in data analysis, grant writing, and collaborative research efforts have led to the successful completion of numerous high-impact studies. Araceli is also experienced in presenting her research findings at international conferences and symposia, showcasing her ability to communicate complex scientific concepts effectively. Her contributions to the field are evidenced by her peer-reviewed publications, grant awards, and active involvement in multidisciplinary research teams.
Parasitology and Infectious Diseases
Araceli’s work on SARS-CoV-2 and herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) directly contributes to the understanding of infectious diseases. Her research into the immune dysfunction associated with COVID-19 and the role of viral and host noncoding RNAs in ocular herpes infection highlights her significant contributions to the field of parasitology and infectious diseases. Her findings are crucial for developing new therapeutic strategies to combat these infections and improve patient outcomes.
Awards and Recognition
Araceli has been recognized for her research excellence with several awards, including the 2020 IADR Periodontal Research Group Past Presidents´ Travel Award and the UIC Postdoctoral Fellow Travel Award. These awards underscore her contributions to the field and her potential as a leading researcher in periodontal disease and mucosal immunology.
Conclusion
Araceli Maria Valverde-Estepa’s extensive research contributions, global impact, collaborative efforts, and applied research make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her work has significantly advanced the understanding of periodontal disease, viral infections, and immune responses, with implications for both oral and general health. Her achievements and recognition in the field further attest to her suitability for this prestigious award.
Publications Top Notes
- Used dental implant healing abutments elicit immune responses: A comparative analysis of detoxification strategies
- Authors: Narvekar, A., Valverde Estepa, A., Naqvi, A., Nares, S.
- Year: 2020
- Citations: 7
- Exhaled breath condensate biomarkers for the early diagnosis of lung cancer using proteomics
- Authors: López-Sánchez, L.M., Jurado-Gámez, B., Feu-Collado, N., Aranda, E., Rodríguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 66
- The addition of celecoxib improves the antitumor effect of cetuximab in colorectal cancer: Role of EGFR-RAS-FOXM1-β-catenin signaling axis
- Authors: Valverde, A., Peñarando, J., Cañas, A., Aranda, E., Rodríguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2017
- Citations: 21
- Altered S-nitrosothiol homeostasis provides a survival advantage to breast cancer cells in HER2 tumors and reduces their sensitivity to trastuzumab
- Authors: Cañas, A., López-Sánchez, L.M., Peñarando, J., Aranda, E., Rodríguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2016
- Citations: 28
- Genetic variants in the renin-angiotensin system predict response to bevacizumab in cancer patients
- Authors: Moreno-Muñoz, D., de la Haba-Rodríguez, J.R., Conde, F., Rodríguez-Ariza, A., Aranda, E.
- Year: 2015
- Citations: 17
- Simultaneous inhibition of EGFR/VEGFR and cyclooxygenase-2 targets stemness-related pathways in colorectal cancer cells
- Authors: Valverde, A., Peñarando, J., Cañas, A., Aranda, E., Rodríguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2015
- Citations: 38
- CoCl2, a mimic of hypoxia, induces formation of polyploid giant cells with stem characteristics in colon cancer
- Authors: Lopez-Sánchez, L.M., Jimenez, C., Valverde, A., Aranda, E., Rodriguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2014
- Citations: 104
- Maintenance of S-nitrosothiol homeostasis plays an important role in growth suppression of estrogen receptor-positive breast tumors
- Authors: Cañas, A., López-Sánchez, L.M., Valverde-Estepa, A., Aranda, E., Rodríguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2012
- Citations: 23
- To cardiovascular disease and beyond: New therapeutic perspectives of statins in autoimmune diseases and cancer
- Authors: Lopez-Pedrera, C., Ruiz-Limón, P., Valverde-Estepa, A., Barbarroja, N., Rodriguez-Ariza, A.
- Year: 2012
- Citations: 15
- AEE788 is a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in acute myeloid leukemia
- Authors: Barbarroja, N., Torres, L.-A., Rodriguez-Ariza, A., Velasco, F., López-Pedrera, C.
- Year: 2010
- Citations: 6