Alejandra Vasquez

Alejandra Vasquez is a visiting research fellow at Lund University's Faculty of Engineering, affiliated with the Department of Pure and Applied Biochemistry. She co-discovered novel lactic acid bacteria in honeybees in 2005 with Tobias Olofsson, creating a research program spanning medical biotechnology, microbiology, and bee health.

Research Interests: Her work focuses on antimicrobial properties of honeybee-specific bacteria for functional food development and antibiotic alternatives. Research areas include:

• Honeybee microbiome dynamics
• Lactic acid bacteria therapeutic applications
• Pathogen inhibition mechanisms
• Genomic evolution of symbiotic bacteria
• Wound healing microbiome therapies

Article Trends: Her publications (2017-2025) reveal progressive discovery of novel bacterial species like Bifidobacterium kimbladii and Bifidobacterium mellis, with applications ranging from bee health (Paenibacillus inhibition) to human clinical trials for chronic rhinosinusitis. Collaborative work extends to genome biology and systematic microbiology journals.

Funding: Research supported by grants from Formas, VR (Swedish Research Council), and other external sources.