Curriculum Vitae
Resumen
Biology student with a robust background in molecular biology, developmental biology, plant physiology, neurobiology and ecotoxicology. Experienced in the management and curation of botanical collections, as well as the application of computational tools to biological sciences including QSAR modeling and bioinformatics utilizing R and Python.
Education
B.S Biology Student - University of Cauca - GPA:4.3/5.0 Aug 2020 - Present
Courses & Certifications
Scientific Writing in LaTeX and Integration with R – Majuipal Solveris Feb 4 - 5,2025
Reproducible Research with Quarto – XII Colombian Botanical Congress – Universidad del Cauca & Universidad de Antioquia Nov 3- 4,2024
Introduction to Formative Research: How to Conduct Research Without Dying in the Attempt? – Vice-Rectorate for Academic Research. ECoS-CTel Project – Center for Continuing, Open, and Virtual Education (CECAV) – Universidad del Cauca May 31 - 12 Apr,2024
Pre-Symposium Course. R with R for Biological Sciences – XVII Symposium on Research in Biological Sciences – Universidad del Cauca Nov 6 - 7,2023
Ethnopharmacology and Ethnobotany: Biocultural Transitions – Faculty of Education, Natural and Exact Sciences. Doctorate in Ethnobiological and Biocultural Studies – Universidad del Cauca Jun 1 - 15,2023
Molecular Modeling – GBI Hands-On: Modelagem Molecular – Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo. Department of Genetics. Bioinformatics – University of São Paulo (USP) Nov 24 - 35,2022
Botanical Scientific Drawing with an Ethnobiological Approach – Faculty of Education, Natural and Exact Sciences. Doctorate in Ethnobiological and Biocultural Studies – Universidad del Cauca Dec 6 – 11, 2022
Advanced Data Management in Microsoft Office Excel 2016 - National Learning Service (SENA) – Colombia Aug 7 – Sep 7, 2021
Control Structures and Variables in Python - National Learning Service (SENA) – Colombia Jun 19 – Jul 19, 2022
The Chemistry of Life – Kyoto University – KyotoUx Mar 1, 2021 - Mar 1, 2022
Preparation of Basic Materials and Equipment for Chemical Laboratories – National Learning Service (SENA) – Huila. Center for Agro-Business and Livestock Development of Huila – Colombia Sep 13 – Dec 13, 2016
Conferences
Science in the Park – Cauca Research CouncilSep 24 – 25, 2025
(Speaker) Evaluation of neuroreproductive and morphological effects associated with Glifocafé exposure in Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophilidae)
(Speaker) Seed germination of Pterocaulon alopecuroides (Lam.) DC.: Contributions to the knowledge of native species
XVIII Symposium on Research in Biological Sciences – Universidad del Cauca – Department of Biology Sep 15 – 19, 2025
(Speaker) Preliminary QSAR toxicity assessment utilizing a supervised learning model in Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophilidae)
(Speaker) In silico analysis of Peperomia (Piperaceae) metabolites as potential modulators of the Pin1 enzyme in Alzheimer’s disease: A study based on specimens from the CAUP Herbarium
(Speaker) Reproductive, neurotoxic, and morphological effects of Glifocafé exposure in Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophilidae)
52nd Socolen Colombian Congress of Entomology – Colombian Association of Entomology – Universidad del Magdalena – Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia Jun 25 – 27, 2025
(Poster) Differential expression and in silico evaluation of pesticides in behavioral pathways of Atta cephalotes
I Brazil–Colombia Scientific Meeting May 23, 2025
(Speaker) In vivo and in silico evaluation of the reproductive toxicity and neurotoxicity of Erythroxylum coca in Drosophila melanogaster
XIII Research Meeting on Biomedical Sciences, Morphological Skills, and Education – Universidad de Durango, Zacatecas Campus, Mexico May 26, 2025
(Poster) Evaluation of the neurotoxic, reproductive, and morphological effects of exposure to Glifocafé® in Drosophila melanogaster
XIV National Congress and XV International Neuroscience Seminar – Colegio Colombiano de Neurociencias – International Brain Research Organization – Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá Campus Apr 24 – 26, 2025
XII Colombian Botanical Congress – Universidad del Cauca Nov 4 – 8, 2024 - (Poster) Viability and germinative capacity in seeds of Pterocaulon alopecuroides (Lam.) DC. - (Speaker) Bryophyte biodiversity at Universidad del Cauca, Popayán
Pacific Regional Convergence for COP16 – Vice Presidency of the Republic. Cali, Colombia Oct 25 – 26, 2024
(Speaker) MHN-Unicauca staff, Cauca Pavilion, and the Pacific District Popular Economies Pavilion in the COP16 Green Zone
XVII Symposium on Research in Biological Sciences – Universidad del Cauca Nov 8 – 10, 2023
(Organizer)
XI Latin American Congress of Medicinal Plants – Latin American Society of Medicinal Plants (SOLAPLAMED) – Corporación Universitaria Santa Rosa de Cabal – Universidad del Quindío – Armenia, Quindío, Colombia Sep 13 – 16, 2023
(Attendee)
II Cancer Update Symposium: From Genetics to Clinical Practice – Universidad Militar Nueva Granada – Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia Jun 3, 2023
(Attendee)
I Stem Cells and Gene Therapy Symposium – Universidad Militar Nueva Granada – Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia Apr 15, 2023
(Attendee)
Competition for the Most Molecularly Accurate DNA Molecule – Ibero-American Artificial Intelligence Network for Big BioData (RIABIO) – Cancer, Environmental, and Molecular Group (BIMAC) – Faculty of Education, Exact and Natural Sciences – Popayán, Cauca, Colombia Apr 25, 2023
(Attendee)
International Colloquium: Omics Sciences, Advances, Big Data, and Impact on Personalized and Precision Medicine – Faculty of Education, Exact and Natural Sciences – Universidad del Cauca – Popayán, Cauca, Colombia Nov 2, 2021
(Attendee)
XVI Symposium on Research in Biological Sciences – Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences – Universidad del Cauca – Popayán, Cauca, Colombia Nov 3 – 5, 2021
(Attendee)
COVID-19: An Approach from Biology – Faculty of Education, Exact and Natural Sciences – Universidad del Cauca – Popayán, Cauca, Colombia Dec 4, 2020
Workshops Taught
Introduction to R and Statistical Testing – Entomology Laboratory, Functional Diversity and Ecosystem Services Research Group (DIVERFUN) – Natural History Museum – Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia (2 hours) Mar 5, 2025
This course covers preliminary criteria for understanding programming logic, followed by an in-depth exploration of core libraries and packages essential for biologists to conduct biological analyses and data visualizations.
Artificial Intelligence Tools for R Programming and Reproducible Science – Geology, Ecology, and Conservation Research Group – ASIO – Universidad del Cauca, Popayán, Cauca, Colombia (4 hours) May 16 – Jun 2, 2025
This course introduces programming workflows in R, focusing on how to effectively troubleshoot complex programming issues when beginning to learn programming logic.
Work Experience
Accreditation of Accreditable Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs RG 2022-009 through the Center for Quality Management and Institutional Accreditation Apr 6 – Jul 6, 2026
(Student Assistant) Assisted in data systematization, presentation design, and the high-quality accreditation process for the Biology undergraduate program.
Private Biology and Chemistry Tutor at Pre-Universitario Smart – Popayán, Colombia Apr 1 – Jul 1, 2026
Private Biology Tutor at Pre-Universitario Next – Popayán, Colombia Apr 1 – May 1, 2026
Freelance English Language Instructor at Overcome The Barrier (OCTB) Nov 27, 2025 – Present
Herbarium Collection at the Natural History Museum, Universidad del Cauca Oct 2, 2024 – Jun 20, 2025
(Student Assistant) Assisted in the management, preservation, and organization of botanical specimens deposited in the Herbarium of the Natural History Museum (MHN) at Universidad del Cauca.
Developmental Biology and Neural Plasticity Research Group at Universidad del Cauca Sep 10, 2023 – Present
(Research Assistant / Coordinator) Provided support, planning, and management for the organization of courses, workshops, and academic projects.
Research Experience & Projects
Proposal for an Interurban Biological Corridor in the Tulcán Sector of the Municipality of Popayán: A Strategy for Biodiversity Conservation and Land Use Planning (ID: 6114) – Universidad del Cauca. Faculty of Education, Exact and Natural Sciences. Department of Biology. Non-Vascular Plant Taxonomy Area (Bryophytes) Jan 1 – Dec 30, 2024
Quantified the number of families, genera, and species of bryophytes present in the Tulcán sector of the municipality of Popayán. Designed a management plan for the establishment of an interurban biological corridor in the Tulcán sector of the municipality of Popayán.
Evaluation of the Biological Functionality of Ethanolic and Aqueous Coca Leaf Extracts (ID: 6458) – Universidad del Cauca. Faculty of Education, Exact and Natural Sciences Aug 29, 2025 – Aug 28, 2026
Determined the cytotoxicity & genotoxicity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts, simulated molecular interactions with pathological proteins, and modeled conformational changes through molecular dynamics for the discovery of novel biologically active compounds.
Awards & Honors
Institutional Merit Recognition – Rectorate of the Universidad del Cauca Nov 22
Awarded by the University Rector for outstanding academic and research contributions during the institution’s 198th Anniversary. This represents the highest institutional honor for student excellence.
XIII Research Meeting in Biomedical Sciences, Morphological Skills, and Education – Universidad de Durango, Zacatecas Campus, Mexico Jun 2, 2025
Award: First place in the poster category for the work “Evaluation of the neurotoxic, reproductive, and morphological effects of Glyphocafé® exposure in Drosophila melanogaster”.
XIV National Neuroscience Congress and XV International Neuroscience Seminar – Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia Apr 23, 2025
Honor: IBRO Fellowship – Registration fee waiver for the XIV National Neuroscience Congress and XV International Neuroscience Seminar – Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia.
Symposium Commemorating the Discovery of DNA and the Human Genome Project – Competition for the Most Molecularly Accurate DNA Model Apr 25, 2023
Award: First Place for Outstanding Performance in the DNA Molecule Construction Challenge.
Skills
Languages * Spanish (Native), English (Professional Proficiency B2), Portuguese (Elementary Proficiency A1)
Computational & Bioinformatic Skills Operating Systems: Advanced proficiency in Linux (Bash scripting), macOS, and Windows. Molecular Modeling: Structural molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ADMET profiling, and QSAR modeling. Omics & Phylogenetics: Transcriptomic data analysis (RNA-Seq using DESeq2) and phylogenetic reconstruction. Scientific Programming: Proficient in Python, R, C, Rust, and Bash. Scientific Typesetting: Expert deployment of reproducible documents and technical writing via LaTeX, Markdown, and Quarto.
Educational & Outreach Skills
Subject Matter Expertise: Cell & molecular biology, genetics, botany, biochemistry, and general chemistry. Pedagogical Design: Development of curriculum and educational materials, workshop and academic course instruction, and effective science communication tailored to diverse audiences.
Scientific Research Project Management: Design and execution of biological research projects, protocol optimization, and synthesis of complex experimental and computational data.
Technical & Laboratory Skills
Phytochemistry: Extraction and processing of plant metabolites using Soxhlet, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and semi-quantitative phytochemical screening. Biodiversity Data Informatics: Management, standardization, and validation of ecological and taxonomic data using the Darwin Core (DwC) standard. Expert curation and integration of biological databases for species distribution and monitoring.
Scientific Communication Technical Writing: Comprehensive literature synthesis, manuscript preparation, and editing for peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Manuscripts in preparation
García Cevallos, X. C., Castillo Bravo, C. C., Tovar, Y. Y., Giraldo Aristizábal, C. I., & Castillo Ordóñez, W. O. Evolutionary divergence of 1,3-β-glucan synthase and its impact on the binding affinity of natural compounds with potential antifungal activity: An in silico approach.
Manuscripts Under Review
García Cevallos, X. C., Huila Medina, J. F., Muñoz Buitrón, D., & Arcos, L. T., (En revisión), Efectos reproductivos, neurotóxicos y morfológicos de la exposición al Glifocafé® en Drosophila melanogaster
Publications
Polindara Moncayo, Y. W., Garcia Cevallos, X.C, Guevara Trujillo, D.T., Viabilidad y capacidad germinativa en semillas de Pterocaulon alopecuroides (Lam) DC planta de uso medicinal.DOI: https://doi.org/10.14483/2256201X.23642
Associations
Research Group in Microscopy and Image Analysis (GIMAI) - Researcher
Developmental Biology and Neural Plasticity Research Group - Research Assistant
Biosis Talks - Coordinator
Founder – Colombian Institute of Neurosciences
Latin American Synthetic Biology Association - Active Member
Colombian Botanical Association - Expansion Committee Member
Available upon request