معرفی
Ana Maria Porras is an Assistant Professor in the J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Florida, part of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. She leads the Tissue-Microbe Interactions Lab, focusing on engineering in vitro models to study human-microbe interactions in contexts of the microbiome, global health, and infectious disease. Her work bridges biomedical engineering with inclusive science communication, particularly in multilingual outreach.
Education:
- B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2011
- M.S. & Ph.D., Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2013–2016
Research Interests: Dr. Porras investigates how microbes interact with human extracellular matrices to drive disease, with emphasis on geographic microbiome variations and their implications for enteric infections. She also develops biomaterial-based models of calcific aortic valve disease and explores fibrosis mechanisms. Her science communication work emphasizes equitable access to STEM knowledge, leveraging multilingual strategies and engaging diaspora communities through platforms like Clubes de Ciencia Colombia.
Publications Trends: Her recent work spans biomaterial modeling of cardiovascular diseases, microbiome-driven pathogenesis, and DEI initiatives in academia. She frequently publishes on equitable hiring strategies, global health equity, and science communication frameworks.
Awards:
- AAAS Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science (2024)
- UF International Center Global Fellow (2021)
- Cornell Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow (2019–2022)
- AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador (2019–2021)
Advising & Grants: While no formal student advisees are listed, her lab focuses on interdisciplinary training. She has secured grants supporting DEI initiatives, microbiome research, and science communication.
Labs/Teams: The Tissue-Microbe Interactions Lab collaborates with global partners on microbiome projects and hosts the Clubes de Ciencia Colombia to empower Latinx scientists through community-building and mentorship.
