Dr. Ángello Retamal

Young Investigator, Universidad de Antofagasta.

Dr. Angello Retamal-Díaz is an assistant professor at the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Antofagasta, Chile. He completed his education in biochemistry at the University of Concepción, beginning his scientific career in the laboratory of Dr. Ángel Oñate. He later specialized in Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where he completed both his master’s and doctoral degrees. Subsequently, he undertook postdoctoral research at the Chilean Army Health Command and the Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, under the direction of Dr. Alexis M. Kalergis. Throughout his research career, Dr. Retamal-Díaz has led significant studies on virology and vaccinology, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His laboratory at the Clinical Hospital of the University of Antofagasta focuses on the study of the immune system, with a particular interest in how it interacts with pathogens and the investigation of immune component interactions with cancer. This specialization has allowed Dr. Retamal-Díaz to contribute to science as a member of the American Society for Microbiology and the Chilean Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His commitment to academic excellence and research is evident not only in his publications but also in his role as a reviewer for the scientific journal Frontiers in Immunology and as a project evaluator for CONICET in Argentina.

Additionally, he has advised the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation on the establishment of a vaccine manufacturing plant, highlighting his ability to integrate science into public policy formulation. Dr. Retamal-Díaz has been recognized for his academic and scientific contributions with several awards and distinctions, including an honorary award for his doctoral thesis, conducted under the supervision of Dr. Pablo A. González, from the Chilean Society of Microbiology, and a Certificate of Excellence from the Ministry of Economy, Development, and Tourism of Chile. He is currently a young researcher at the Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy (IMII) and an associate researcher at the Center for Cancer Prevention and Control (CECAN).