Team

Juan Herrero Bourdieu
PhD candidate
BSc: Seton Hall University, USA (2022) – Biology with a minor in Chemistry
MSc: Universidad Complutense de Madrid (2023) – Drug Discovery
His MSc focused in the synthesis of 2H– indazoles. During the summer ’23 he attended the student summer program at the IOCB in Prague where he furthered his knowledge in protein expression. Currently, he is following the PhD in Biomedicine program of the University Pompeu Fabra and his thesis focuses targeting aberrant lipid metabolism in aggressive breast cancers. Outside of the lab, Juan enjoys chess, football, and hanging out with friends. 

Michelle Sánchez Garcia (Mishu)
PhD candidate
BSc: Yachay Tech University, Ecuador (2023) – Biology
MSc: University of Cádiz (2024) -Medicinal Chemistry.
Her master’s thesis was part of a project funded by the Spanish Nuclear Safety Council, focused on analyzing radiocarbon content in crops near nuclear power plants and assessing their biological activity. Currently, she is a PhD student in Biomedicine at Pompeu Fabra University, working on human rhomboid proteases. She has also founded student organizations to promote biology, biomedical sciences, and STEM education in Ecuador. Outside the lab, Michelle enjoys hiking in the mountains or relaxing at the beach, playing board games, and watching anime.

Mihajlo Filep, PhD
Postdoctoral researcher
BSc: University of Belgrade (Serbia) -Biochemistry
MsC: University of Belgrade (Serbia)- Chemistry
PhD: Weizmann Institute of Science
(Israel)
During this PhD he worked on covalent hit optimization, nano-scale synthesis, and activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) probe development. As part of the AI-driven Structure-enabled Antiviral Platform (ASAP) consortium, Mihajlo spent two months at the XChem fragment screening facility at Diamond Light Source (UK), developing fragment-like libraries to accelerate hit optimization. In the lab, Mihajlo developing covalent phage-display technology for the selective targeting of proteases and nano-scale high-throughput synthesis of covalent fragment-like libraries. His work aims to create peptide and small-molecule ligands for theranostic applications.

Javier Valle
Research Technician & Facility Manager
BSc: University of Barcelona – Chemistry MSc: Pompeu Fabra University- Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry
He is a senior research technician in the lab and technical manager of the Peptide Synthesis Facility since 2005, with strong background in the use of laboratory analytical instruments such as HPLC/UHPLC, preparative HPLC and spectrometry of HPLC-MS/UHPLC-MS. He is responsible for peptides synthesis, reports, peptides stability studies, manufacturing of affinity columns and protein-based chemical conjugates, with advanced expertise in maintenance and calibration of laboratory devices. He has also an educational role, being involved in training laboratory skills to students.  Javier is highly interested in biomedicine and drug development, having contributed to several research projects.
He is currently pursuing a post-graduate degree on Application of Pharmaceutical Quality Control from the University of Barcelona.

Yolanda Tor
Research Technician

Míriam Jódar Revilla
MSc student
BSc: University of Barcelona – Biochemistry With a strong interest in working in a multidisciplinary environment, she pursued her thesis at the University of Antwerp, where she deepened her knowledge in the organic synthesis of probes. Curious and already with one foot in the world of activity-based probes (ABPs), she wanted to further explore their potential and applications in different areas—not only in bacterial resistance, as she had done before, but now in autoimmune diseases and aging.
Currently studying for her Master’s in Multidisciplinary Research and Experimental Sciences at Pompeu Fabra University, Miriam hopes to pursue a PhD and contribute to the well-being of society.
Outside the lab, Miriam is an active person who loves challenging herself through running. She is also a big fan of literature and the plastic arts.

Rajarshi Ganguly
MSc student
BSc: SRM Institute of Science and Technology, India (2019)
MSc: Vellore Institute of Technology (2022)
His BSc final project was in the Huntsman Cancer Institute (University of Utah) where he studied the Ubiquitin-proteosome pathway for protein degradation. His MSc project was studying gut microbes and the metabolites they release screening them for anti-cancer properties and comparing them with available drugs in the market. He joined Biocon Biologics Ltd (2022-2023), where he overlooked process development of an insulin analogue. He is currently pursuing his second masters under the MMRES (Masters in Multidisciplinary Research in Experimental Sciences). His project involves HTPs of novel compounds for a metabolic enzyme. Outside lab Rajarshi enjoys hiking, working out and football.

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