Aneliz de Ita Zárate Ortiz | Metabolomics | Young Scientist Award

Mrs. Aneliz de Ita Zárate Ortiz | Metabolomics | Young Scientist Award

biologist at Salvador Zubirán National Institute of Health Sciences and Nutrition, Mexico

Aneliz de Ita Zárate Ortiz is an emerging researcher specializing in metabolomics and food science, with a strong foundation in molecular biology and fungal biotechnology. Her current work focuses on identifying biomarkers of traditional Mexican food intake and studying lipidomics of animal- and plant-based foods at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán. With a robust academic background in biology and practical experience in metabolomics and bioinformatics, she has contributed to scientific literature through studies on fungal species and antifungal metabolites. Aneliz’s academic excellence, hands-on research skills, and commitment to sustainable biotechnology have established her as a promising scientist in the field of microbial metabolomics.

Profile

Orcid

Education

Aneliz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the Universidad del Mar, Puerto Escondido campus, completed between 2017 and 2023. Her academic journey was marked by high academic achievement, graduating with honors and receiving the highest GPA (9.5) in her cohort. During her undergraduate years, she participated in a social service project investigating fungal diversity along the Oaxaca coast, where she applied DNA sequencing techniques and studied biocontrol fungi. In 2023, she expanded her academic horizons with a research stay at the Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education of Ensenada (CICESE), where she conducted metabolomic analyses of fungi and gained experience in bioinformatic tools for metabolite annotation.

Experience

Since 2024, Aneliz has been conducting research in the metabolomics department at the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán. Her work focuses on identifying food intake biomarkers from traditional Mexican diets and exploring the lipid profiles of both animal and plant-derived foods. Her earlier research engagements include laboratory analysis of fungal endophytes, DNA sequencing, and biocontrol studies. She has also contributed to national congresses with work on Talaromyces species as microbial antagonists, which demonstrates her growing expertise in fungal biotechnology. Her practical experience encompasses both laboratory techniques and bioinformatic data analysis.

Research Interests

Aneliz’s research interests lie at the intersection of metabolomics, fungal biotechnology, and food science. She is particularly focused on the biochemical profiling of food-derived metabolites and the application of fungal species as biocontrol agents. Her interests also extend to the development of antifungal compounds and the bioinformatic annotation of metabolites. She is committed to integrating traditional food knowledge with modern analytical tools like LC-MS, GNPS, and Sirius for comprehensive metabolomic mapping, with a long-term vision of contributing to public health and sustainable agriculture.

Awards

Aneliz has received notable academic distinctions, including the Best GPA Award in 2022 for her undergraduate generation and the honorary mention upon graduation with her biology degree in 2023. These accolades reflect her dedication to academic excellence and scientific inquiry. Her work has been showcased at multiple national and international congresses, demonstrating her growing influence and recognition within the scientific community. These recognitions underscore her commitment and capability to contribute meaningfully to the fields of biotechnology and metabolomics.

Publications

Aneliz has authored and co-authored several scientific publications in reputable journals:

  1. “Soluciones biotecnológicas: invertebrados salvando nuestros días” (2021), Herreriana, Vol. 3(1), pp. 33–37. [Cited by: 2 articles]
  2. “Talaromyces oaxaquensis sp. nov. section Talaromyces… in Mexico” (2024), Scientia Fungorum, 55, e1457. [Cited by: 3 articles]
  3. “Secretion of antifungal metabolites contributes to the antagonistic activity of Talaromyces oaxaquensis” (2025), Current Research in Microbial Sciences, 100402. [Cited by: 1 article]

These publications highlight her contributions to mycology and microbial metabolite research, particularly in identifying new fungal species and exploring their antifungal properties.

Conclusion

Aneliz de Ita Zárate Ortiz is a dedicated researcher making impactful strides in the fields of metabolomics and microbial biotechnology. Her scientific trajectory, from academic excellence to hands-on research in nationally recognized institutions, demonstrates a well-rounded and promising profile. Her interests in traditional food systems, metabolite identification, and fungal biocontrol agents not only contribute to scientific knowledge but also promote sustainability and public health. As she continues to develop her research career, Aneliz exemplifies the next generation of scientists poised to bridge molecular biology, bioinformatics, and nutritional sciences.