people | Hetz Lab

Claudio Hetz Ph.D.

Full Professor and Principal investigator
Institute of Biomedical Sciences
University of Chile

Adjunct Professor

Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, USA.

and visiting Professor Harvard School of Public Health, Boston USA.

HONORS, AWARDS AND FELLOWSHIPS

2023 Selectec by Clarivate (web Science) as part of the Top 1% most cited scientists in the field.
2022 Selectec by Research.com as the most cited scientists in Chile.
2022 WSIS Prize 2022 Champion. The project was among the top five most voted in your category.
2021 Selectec by Clarivate (web Science) as part of the Top 1% most cited scientists in the field.
2016 Santander Bank Award2016 for outstanding contributions to University research on the area of neurological diseases, Santiago, Chile.
2016 Target Validation Award, Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research, USA.
2015 KIA International Award(KIA) Laureate, first place, for invaluable achievements and contributions to the development of science and technology. In addition, this price was accompanied by an UNESCO special award.
2015 Muscular Dystrophy Award, International Research grant, USA.
2014 Selected by the LatinAmericanScience.Organd Qué Pasamagazine as one of the 30 more influencing scientist in Latin America.
2014 Target Validation Award, Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson Research, USA.
2014 Frick Foundation Award, Switzerland. Received one of the two international arads for ALS research.
2012 Awarded with the FEBS Anniversary Prizeof the Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie. IUBMB & FEBS meeting, Sevilla, Spain.
2012 Awarded with a gift from the Christopher ReeveSpinal Cord Injury and ParalysisFoundation, USA.
2011 Young investigator Award, North American Spine Society, USA.
2010 Selected by the Latin-American Science Academyto represent Chile in the IAP Young Scientists Conference organized in conjunction with the World Economic Forum in China.
2009 Selected on a study form the Ministry of Economy of Chile as one of the successful stories in innovation and Science in Chile.
2008 Awarded with the Young Scientist Prize TWAS-ROLACfrom the Latin-American Science Academy for the best young scientist in the region and the Caribbean.
2008 The Eppendorf & SciencePrize for Neurobiology, selected finalist by the editors of Science magazine as outstanding young scientist.
2008 Awarded with the “Cell Biology Society and Bios-Chile prize” as the best young scientist of Chile.
2008 Angel Fund Junior Investigator Award for Outstanding Research,Sporadic Neurodegeneration: Genes, Environment and Therapeutic Strategies. Boston, USA.
2008 Member of The Cell Biology Society of Chile.
2007 Selected by the newspaper “El Mercurio” as one of the 100 Chilean young leaders 2007.
2007 Awarded with a High Q Foundation Discovery Initiative Research grant.
2004-2007 Damon Runyon Cancer Research. Research fellowship for postdoctoral training in Stanley Korsmeyer’s laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
2004-2007 Cancer Research Institute. Research fellowship for postdoctoral training in Stanley Korsmeyer’s laboratory at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA (withdraw of candidature to accept previous fellowship).
2003 Member of the Society of Neuroscience, USA.
2003 Herman Neimeyer Medal, Chilean Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Recognition as the best Ph.D. student in Biomedical Sciences of Chile, 2003.
2002-2004 Federal Swiss Confederation Scholarshipfor Ph.D. thesis at Serono Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Geneva, Switzerland.
2002 CONICYT fellowship (Chilean Government) for Ph.D. studies.
2001 Traveling Fellowship from the I.C.B.M., University of Chile, to perform a research steady at the Institute of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Switzerland, and at N.C.I, Washington, USA
2000-2001 Fundación Andesfellowship for Ph.D. studies in Biomedical Sciences.
2000 Honor with Maximum Distinction and fist degree in generation 2000, Molecular Biotechnology Engineer, University of Chile.

STAFF SCIENTISTS

Hery Urra Ph.D.

PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile.

Alexis Martinez Ph.D.

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

Mateus Milani Ph.D.

Ph.D in Biology Cancer, University of Liverpool, UK.

Ph.D. STUDENTS

Maria Jesus Cerna

Student of the doctoral program in Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Diego Arriagada

Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, Andres Bello University, Chile.

Giovanni Tamburini

Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, Andres Bello University, Chile.

Romina Gozalvo

Professional Degree on Medical Technnologist, San Sebastián University. Chile.

Chile.

Macarenas Las Heras

Master’s Degree in Biochemestry, University of Chile, Chile.

Vania Morales

Master’s Degree in Biochemestry, Andres Bello University, Chile.

Juan Ignacio Tapia

Professiona Degree on Medical Technologyst, Universidad del desarrollo, Chile.

Nicolas Montes

Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, Andres Bello University, Chile.

LABORATORY ADMINISTRATION

Susana Manriquez

Lab Administration
susana.manriquez.uchile@gmail.com

International trade Engineer, Metropolitan Technological University

Claudia Sepúlveda-Quiñenao

Lab Manager
labmanager-hetzlab@bni.cl

Master’s Degree in Biotechnology, Andres Bello University, Chile.
Professional Degree on Biotechnology, Andres Bello University, Chile.

LABORATORY MAINTENANCE

Mónica Flores

Laboratory Assistant

María Painavel

Laboratory Cleaning

AUXILIARY TECHNICIANS

Celeste Venegas
Diego Pinuer
Maximiliano Muñoz

PAST MEMBERS

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW

Younis Hazari (2018-2022)
Alfredo Sagredo (2018-2023)
Mei-Li Diaz (2018-2022)
Felipe Cabral (2017-2021)
Yannis Yerakis (2017-2021)
Alexis Rivas (2016-2020)
Paula García (2014-2018): Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid.Master in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Complutense University of Madrid.Bachelor of Sc. Biochemistry, Autonoma University of Madrid.
Amado Carreras (2o14-2018): Ph.D. in Biomedicine, University Pompeu Fabra, Spain. Master in Biomedicine, Univeristy Pompeu Fabra, Spain. Degree in Biology, University Pompeu Fabra, Spain.
Gabriela Mercado (2011-2018): Ph.D. in Cellular, Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, University of Chile, Chile.Professional Degree in Molecular Biotechnology Engineering, University of Chile.
Paulina Falcón (2017): Ph.D. Molecular, Cellular Biology and Neuroscience. University of Chile. Recently she is postdoc researcher in Fundacion ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile.
Pablo Mardones (2013-2016): Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Research fellow at Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA. and Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany. Molecular Biology and Neuroscience, University of Chile, Chile.
Néstor Guerrero: Post doctoral fellow.
René Vidal: Post doctoral fellow. He is Assistant Profesor Mayor University, Chile
Danny Galleguillos (2008-2009): Post doctoral fellow.
Diego Rodríguez (2009-2012): Post doctoral fellow. He’s doing a post doc fellow in St. Jude Chidren’s Hospital, Memphis, USA. (Dr. Douglas Green).
Gonzalo Encina (2010-2011): Post doctoral fellow. He is Assistant Profesor Mayor University, Chile
Soledad Matus (2007-2012): Post doctoral fellow. She is Assitant Professor and Principal Investigator of Laboratory of Biology of Neurodegeneration, Fundación Ciencia & Vida.
Karen Castillo (2010-2013): Post doctoral fellow. She is researcher at the University of Valparaíso.
Melissa Calegaro (2007-2013): Postdoctoral fellow. She is currently Postdoctoral fellow at Mayor University, Chile. Postdoctoral fellow, «Doctoral Thesis Award 2015» awarded by the Chilean Academy of Sciences , for the thesis entitled: «TMBIM3 / Grina a regulated by the response to misfolded proteins (UPR) which inhibits apoptosis by modulating calcium homeostasis gene».
Ute Woelhbier (2010-2014): Postdoctoral fellow. She is currently an assistant professor at Mayor University, Chile.

Ph.D. STUDENTS

José Vicente Gonzalez: Ph.D in Biomedical Sciences.
Paulina Torres: Ph.D Pharmacology
Rodrigo Fernandez: Ph.D in Biomedical Sciences.
Matias Gonzales: Ph.D in Biomedical Sciences. Professional Degree in Farmaceutics science. Catholic University
Maritza Oñate: Ph.D student, Cellular and Molecular Biology, P. Catholic University of Chile (Co-mentored with Dr Felipe Court). Master in Molecular Biology, University of Chile. Professional Degree on Molecular Biotechnology Engineer, University of Chile. Recently she is postdoc researcher in Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Nueva York, USA.
Denisse Sepúlveda Ph.D. (2012-2018): Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. Master degree on Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Chile, Chile. Professional Degree on Bioengineering, University of Concepcion, Chile. She is recently postdoctoral researcher in Mayor University. Awarded as Best PhD thesis of Chile, Chilean Cell Biology Society, Chile 2019.
Estefanie Dufey Ph.D. (2011-2016): Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. Master in Biochemistry and Bioinformatic, Universidad de Concepción. BioEngineer, Universidad de Concepción.
Victor Hugo Cornejo (2011-2015): Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile. Currently performing a Postdoctoral fellow with Dr Andres Couve at the University of Chile. Recently he is postdoc researcher in Columbia University, New York, USA.
Clara Quiroga (2006-2010): Ph.D. in Biochemistry. University of Chile. Currently a Postdoctoral fellow (Dr. Sergio Lavandero, University of Chile).
Diego Rojas-Rivera (2008-2015): Ph.D. student in Biochemistry. University of Chile. «Doctoral Thesis Award 2015» awarded by the Chilean Academy of Sciences, for the thesis entitled: «TMBIM3/ Grina a regulated by the response to misfolded proteins (UPR) which inhibitds apoptosis by modulating calcium homeostasis gene».
María Inés Díaz (2008-2014): Ph.D. in Biochemistry. University of Chile.
Mauricio Torres (2008-2013): Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. University of Chile. Recently he is postdoc researcher in Michigan University, Michigan USA.
Pamela Valdés (2008-2013): Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. University of Chile. She is currently a Postdoctoral fellow at the Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland (laboratory Dr. Patrick Aebischer).

MASTER STUDENTS

Jose Astorga (2018-2020)
Pablo Rozas (2014-2018): Master Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Chile, Chile. Professional Degree on Molecular Biotechnology Engineer, University of Chile.
Sandra Gaete (2016): Master Student Bachelor degree in biochemistry, Catholic University of Valparaíso. Recently she is biochemical analyst in O’Higgins University, Rancagua. Chile.
Valentina Castillo (2013-2016): Master Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Chile, Chile. Professional Degree on Molecular Biotechnology Engineer, University of Chile. Recently she is a PhD student in engineering sciences at the Catholic University, Santiago, Chile.
Leslie Bargsted (2013-2016): Master Medical and Biological Sciences, University of Chile, Chile.Professional Degree on Molecular Biotechnology Engineer, University of Chile. Recently she is PhD student of Neurobiology in Friedrich Miescher Institute (IMF), Basel University, Basel, Switzerland.
Andrés Henríquez (2008-2011): Molecular Biotechnology Engineering student and Master’s student. Currently performing a PhD in Biological and Biomedical science, University of North Carolina, USA.
Fernanda Lisbona (2007-2014): Master in Molecular Biology and Ph.D. in Pharmacology, University of Chile. She wasawarded with the L’Oréal Chile-UNESCO ‘For Women in Science’ 2011.
Peter Thielen (2010-2011): Master in Biotechnology, Harvard University, USA. Awarded with the Dean’s Prize for Outstanding ALM Thesis.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

Karina Espinoza (2021-2023): Biotechnology Engineering, Andres Bello University.
Javiera de Solminihac (2019-2021): Molecular Biotechnology Engineering, University of Chile
Javiera Acevedo (2016-2017): Biochemistry, University of Chile.
Francisca Martínez (2014-2016): Research Assistant, Professional Degree on Biochemistry, Catholic University. Chile.
Amparo Zuleta (2010-2012): Molecular Biotechnology Engineering student and research Assistant. Currently, She is a Master’s student of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University Pierre et Marie Curie. París, France.
Camila Ghirardelli (2013-2014): Biotechnology, Mayor University, Santiago, Chile.
Catherine Andreu (2011-2012): Molecular Biotechnology Engineering student. Currently performing a PhD at PUC.
Martín Sepúlveda (2014-2015): Molecular Biotechnology Engineering, University of Chile. Recently he is PhD student in immunology, Chicago University, USA.
Miguel González (2013-2015): Biotechnology, Mayor University, Santiago, Chile.
Sebastián Zamorano (2008-2010): Molecular Biotechnology Engineering student. University of Chile. Currently performing a Ph.D. in Cellular biology at the University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland (Dr. Lucca Scorrano).

VISITING STUDENTS

Eoghan McGrath (2017-2018): phD. Student, National University of Ireland Galway.
Irene Van Dijken (2017-2018): Master of Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Groningen, Netherlands.
Tim Miedema (2017-2018): Master of Biomedical Science, University of Groningen, Netherlands.
Eileen Cors (2017-2018): Bachelor student of biomedical sciences, Reutlingen University, Germany.
Valentine Le Gall (2016 Visiting Students): Frontiers in Life Science Bachelor, University of Descartes, Paris (Physiology and Neurosciences in Marseille). France.
Andrew Foley (2013-2014): Visiting Scientist USA. Currently studying Medicine at Harvard.
Cynthia Lefevbre (2013): Master in Aging and Longevity at University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France.
Oriane Fracchia (2014): Master in Aging and Longevity at University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France.

RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

Paloma Moraga (2020-2023): Research Assistant
Natalia Poblete (2019-2023): Research Assistant
Patricia Ojeda (2010-2023): Research Assistant
Pablo Rozas (2019-2023): Research Assistant
Daniela Becerra (2016-2023): Research Assistant
Fernanda Guerrero (2017-2020): Research Assistant
Constanza Gonzalez (2016-2020): Research Assistant
Rodrigo Salinas (2018-2020): Research Assistant
Constanza Gonzalez (2016-2020): Research Assistant
Rodrigo Díaz (2016-2019): Research Assistant.
Nelida López (2016-2018): Research Assistant.
Giovanni Tamburini(2017-2018): Research Assistant.
Gabriel Quiroz (2017-2018): Research Assistant.
Paulina Soto (2014-2017): Research Assistant.
Juan Pablo Vivar (2016-2017): Research Assistant, Professional Degree on Biochemistry, Austral University. Chile.
Sandra Espinoza (2013-2017): Research Assistant, Professional Degree on Biotechnology, Universidad de la Frontera. Chile.
Alicia Figueroa (2008-2011): Research assistant.
Benjamín Caballero (2008-2010): Research assistant. Currently, he is a Ph.D. student of the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University NY, USA (Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo).
Claudia Lucero (2013-2014): Research Assistant.
Cristian León (2007): Research assistant.
Claudia Molina (2011-2014): Research Assistant. Currently performing a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Chile.
Estefanía López (2010-2011): Research assistant. Currently performing a Ph.D. at the University of Chile.
Luis Miguel Gómez (2007): Research assistant.
Natalia Muñoz (2013-2015): Research assistant, Dra. Matus.
Silke Escobar (2011-2014): Research Assistant, Animal Care.
Sylvia Flores (2008-2009): Research assistant.
Thergiory Irrazábal(2010-2011): Research assistant. Ph.D. in Immunology, University of Toronto, Canada.
Yerko Fuentealba (2012-2013): Research Assistant. Currently performing a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, University of Chile.

LABORATORY ADMINISTRATION

Francisco Aburto (207-2020): Administrative
Javiera Ponce (2013-2019): Administrative.
Maximiliano Leseigneur (2016-2018): Lab Manager.
Marilyn Vergara (2014-2015): Lab Manager.
Cristian Olguín (2009-2012): Lab manager.
Daniela Concha (2012-2014): Lab Manager.
Karina Muñoz (2010-2011): Animal technician.
Nancy Hernández (2009-2012): Lab Administrator. Currently performing postgraduate studies at Rutgers University (PALS Program), New Jersey, USA.
Vanessa Maúlen (2012-2014): Assistant.