Adriana Avila Flores, PhD

Adriana Avila Flores, PhD

  • Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Officer
  • Biological Sciences
    • laa0029@auburn.edu
    STEM-Ag 2246
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    Adriana Avila Flores, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Auburn University. Her research centers on two main areas: (1) the development of innovative delivery platforms for nucleic acids, including laser-assisted photoporation, and (2) peptide-based RNA delivery systems. Dr. Avila earned her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid (Madrid, Spain) and an MS in Organic Chemistry from the University of the Basque Country (Bilbao, Spain). She then gained valuable industry experience working for two years at a biotechnology company. She received her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics from Kansas State University in 2010. After completing postdoctoral research at both Kansas State University and Auburn University, she joined the Auburn University faculty as a tenure-track professor in 2017. In addition to her research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Avila currently oversees the undergraduate program in the Department of Biological Sciences. She also serves as Secretary of the Controlled Release Society (CRS) Global Member Engagement Committee.

    Education

    • PhD Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 2014

    • MS University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, SPAIN 2010

    • BSc Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, SPAIN 2007

    Professional Experience

     

    • Research Scientist (Industry): Geneta Biotech Ltd., Bilbao, Spain
      12/2008 – 08/2010
      • Developed non-invasive approaches for prenatal diagnosis
      • Gained valuable insight into how biomedical technologies are translated from the laboratory bench to patient care
    • Postdoctoral Fellow: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Auburn University
      08/2015 – 08/2017
      • Microfluidics and sampling of secretions from small numbers of cells
      • Development of cooperative sensing systems using aptamers, antibodies, and DNA circuits
    • Postdoctoral Fellow: Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University
      09/2014 – 08/2015
      • Oral delivery of dsRNA in insect models
      • Biochemistry and molecular genetics of Armet (MANF) in both human and insect systems

     

     

     

     

    Innovation

    My research focuses on four main areas: (1) developing new strategies for the delivery of therapeutic mRNA, (2) understanding the transport mechanisms of nanoparticles within biological tissues, (3) evaluating the toxicity of nanoparticles in both in vivo and in vitro systems, and (4) investigating photoporation approaches in fungal cells. Together, these efforts aim to advance the design and application of nanotechnology-based platforms for biomedical and biotechnological applications.

    Current Research Projects

    • mRNA & DNA delivery using peptide and lipid nanoparticles in murine models
    • Oral dsRNA delivery as a biopesticide for gene silencing in insect pest. 
    • Design of functional peptides for intracellular siRNA delivery
    • Laser-activated nanoparticles for intracellular delivery of DNA, proteins, and pharmaceuticals

    Engagement

     

    • Greater East Alabama Regional Science and Engineering Fair (GEARSEF), Auburn, Alabama
    • South BEST Regional Robotics Championship
    • Outreach activities with Opelika High School
    • Science lecture series (SPARKs) at Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women
    • NanoDays 2016 outreach events
    • Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting outreach and scientific engagement activities