Research interests: peptides, antimicrobial agents, structure–activity relationships,
organic synthesis, biophysical & physicochemical properties of biomolecules, biological sensors.
Education
2013–2018
Ph.D., Science & Technology / Chemistry
Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Brazil
Thesis: Biological Applications of New Antimicrobial Peptides
2017–2018
Visiting Ph.D. Student
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Lu Lab)
2011–2013
M.Sc., Science & Technology / Chemistry
Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Brazil
Dissertation: Antimalarial Cyclic Derivatives of Angiotensin II
2008–2011
B.S., Chemistry
Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Brazil
2008–2010
B.S., Science & Technology
Federal University of ABC (UFABC), Brazil
Professional experience
2025–present
Research Assistant Professor
University of Pennsylvania — Bioengineering & Psychiatry
2024–2025
Research Associate
University of Pennsylvania (Machine Biology Group)
2019–2024
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Pennsylvania (Machine Biology Group)
2018
Visiting Postdoctoral Researcher
IQOG–CSIC, Spain (MIT–Spain Program)
Patents (6)
de la Fuente-Nunez, C; Torres, MDT; de Lima, LF; Ferreira, AL; Araujo, WR. Color: A low-cost optodiagnostic for sars-cov-2. US20240192214A1. Date: 6/13/2024.
Torres, MDT; de la Fuente-Nunez, C; Cesaro, A; Arciello, A. Hidden antibiotics in the human proteome. US20240067685A1. Date: 2/29/2024.
de la Fuente-Nunez, C; Torres, MDT; Araujo, WR. Low-cost rapid diagnostic biosensors. US20230243818A1, registered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Date: 8/3/2023.
Torres, MDT; Silva, GGO; Franco, OL; de la Fuente-Nunez, C. Antimicrobial Peptides. US20230086360A1, registered by United States Patent and Trademark Office. Date: 3/23/2023.
Torres, MDT; Franco, OL; de la Fuente-Nunez, C. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm peptide sequences with metal-binding motifs. US20220064219A1, registered by United States Patent and Trademark Office. Date: 3/3/2022.
Torres, MDT; Oliveira Jr, VX; de la Fuente-Nunez, C; Lu, TK. Methods of physicochemical-guided peptide design and novel peptides derived therefrom. US20210347823. Date: 11/11/2021.
Fellowships
São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP):
2014-2018: Structure-activity relationship-guided design of antimicrobial peptides (#2014/04507-5 and #2016/24413-0)
2011-2013: Angiotensin-II cyclic derivatives with selective anti-plasmodial activity and high resistance to degradation (#2011/15083-3)
Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq):
2008-2011: Design of cyclic peptides for improved anti-plasmodial activity.
Awards & honors
1. Brazilian Society for Biological Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry Award for the best research project during the 41st Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Chemical Society (2018).
2. 22nd Young Talent Award in Life Sciences, Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2018).
3. Travel Grant Award of European Peptide Society, European Peptide Society (2016).
4. Academic Excellence Award of the Federal University of ABC, Brazil (2015).
5. Travel Grant Award of American Peptide Society, American Peptide Society (2015).
6. Brazilian Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Award for the best work during the XL Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Society (2011).
Appointments
Teacher’s Assistant: Universidade Federal do ABC, Brazil, Course: Chemistry.
Subjects: Functional Groups and Reactions in Organic Chemistry (2012) and Organic Reactions Mechanisms (2012-2013).
Visiting Post-doctoral Researcher: Instituto de Química Orgánica General, IQOG/CSIC, Spain (MIT-Spain Joint Program), 2018.
Mentorship (18)
Hyun-Su Lee. Synthesis and chemical modifications of peptides and encrypted peptides. 2024. Research specialist – University of Pennsylvania.
Sufen Li. Encrypted peptides for antimicrobial applications. 2024. Research specialist – University of Pennsylvania.
Anna Crysler. De-extinct encrypted peptides for antimicrobial applications. 2024. Ph.D. Student – University of Pennsylvania.
Stella Grynberg. Exploration of human proteome-derived encrypted peptides from hormone and hormone-binding proteins. 2023. Undergraduate Student – University of Pennsylvania.
Jacqueline Peng. Design of D-peptides for targeting pathogenic bacteria. 2021. Ph.D. Student – University of Pennsylvania.
Deeksha Hegde. Electrochemical characterization and detection of biomarkers from pathogenic bacteria. 2021. M.Sc. Student – University of Pennsylvania.
Ishani Ranjan. Study of Amino-terminal Copper and Nickel Motifs for Enhancing the Antimicrobial Activity of Biologically Active Peptides. 2021. Undergraduate Student – University of Pennsylvania.
André Lopes Ferreira. Colorimetric Bacterial Sensors for Infectious Diseases. 2021. Research specialist - University of Pennsylvania.
Lucas Felipe de Lima. Electrochemical Biosensors for the Detection of Emerging Pathogenic Infections. 2021. Research specialist - University of Pennsylvania.
Paulina Tran. Study of Antimicrobial Peptides Action on Complex Bacterial Systems Related to Skin Diseases. 2020. M.D. Fellow - University of Pennsylvania.
Lucia Ageitos. Analysis of the Antimicrobial Properties of Frog Venom Derived Peptides. 2020. Visiting Ph.D. Student - University of Pennsylvania.
Andreia Boaro. Synthesis and Characterization of New Amino Acid Derivatives as Chemiluminescent and Fluorescent Tags. 2020. Visiting Ph.D. Student - University of Pennsylvania.
Angela Cesaro. Activity of Encrypted Peptides on Skin Microbiome Bacteria. 2019. Visiting Ph.D. Student - University of Pennsylvania.
Sebahat Oztekin. Analysis of the Antimicrobial Properties of Novel Mastoparan Peptides. 2019. Visiting Ph.D. Student - University of Pennsylvania.
Liam Herndon. Applying Machine Learning to Antimicrobial Peptides Design. 2018. Undergraduate Student - Biological Engineering - Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Cibele Pedron. Synthesis and Biological Application of Scorpion Venom-derived Peptides. 2015. Ph.D. Student - Chemistry - Universidade Federal do ABC - Brazil.
Matheus Cassina Ribeiro. Synthesis and Application of New Antimicrobial Peptides. 2014. Undergraduate Student - Chemistry - Universidade Federal do ABC - Brazil.
Matheus Cassina Ribeiro. Synergy between antimalarial compounds. 2012. Undergraduate Student – Science and Technology - Universidade Federal do ABC - Brazil.