About

I joined the University of Derby in December 2019 as a Technician in the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Science. Since beginning my career in higher education in 2008, I have worked as a Research Technician in both Spain and the United Kingdom, supporting research across a range of biomedical disciplines, including neurochemistry, cancer biology, immunology, allergy, kidney injury, and environmental DNA (eDNA) studies.

My expertise encompasses cell culture, histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology techniques. I play a key role in supporting teaching and research by training undergraduate and postgraduate students, supervising laboratory practicals, developing and optimising laboratory assays, ensuring COSHH compliance, and managing the day-to-day operation of teaching and research laboratories.

I am committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and supportive laboratory environment and work closely with academic and technical colleagues to share best practice and enhance the student learning experience while supporting high-quality research.

Teaching responsibilities

Teaching Responsibilities

I provide technical and practical support for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across the Biomedical and Biological Sciences programmes. My role involves preparing laboratories, equipment, reagents, and biological samples to ensure the safe and effective delivery of practical classes.

I support students and academic staff in a wide range of laboratory techniques, including molecular biology, cell and tissue culture, histology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and protein analysis. I also provide guidance on the correct use of specialist instrumentation, promote good laboratory practice, and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Alongside my teaching responsibilities, I actively collaborate with academic colleagues on research projects, contributing my technical expertise to experimental design, laboratory methodologies, sample preparation, data generation, and the implementation of new techniques. This involvement enables me to integrate current research practices into teaching activities and support the development of research-informed learning experiences for students.

I also contribute to final-year undergraduate and postgraduate research projects by assisting with experimental design, troubleshooting laboratory protocols, and training students in essential research techniques. I am committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment that enables students to develop confidence, technical competence, and independent laboratory skills.

Professional interests

I am passionate about supporting excellence in biomedical education and research through the application of innovative laboratory techniques, technical expertise, and collaborative working. My professional interests include molecular and cellular biology, cancer biology, regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, and the development and implementation of advanced laboratory methodologies.

I have a particular interest in research-informed teaching, helping students develop practical laboratory skills and scientific confidence through hands-on learning. I enjoy working closely with academic colleagues and researchers to establish new techniques, optimise experimental protocols, and support multidisciplinary research projects.

I am also committed to continuous professional development, laboratory innovation, and the adoption of best practices in health and safety, quality assurance, and technical education. My aim is to contribute to an inclusive and supportive learning and research environment that promotes scientific curiosity, collaboration, and excellence.

Research interests

For many years, my research has focused on tumour-induced bone disease in breast cancer, with particular interest in the molecular mechanisms underlying tumour cell–bone interactions and how these pathways can be targeted through novel anti-cancer therapies. This work has involved the application of molecular biology, cell culture, histology, biochemistry, and immunological techniques to investigate disease progression and therapeutic responses.

My broader research interests include cancer biology, translational medicine, regenerative medicine, and biomaterials, with a focus on developing and applying innovative laboratory approaches to understand disease mechanisms and improve therapeutic strategies. I am particularly interested in multidisciplinary collaborations that bridge basic science and clinical research, as well as supporting research-informed teaching and student engagement in biomedical research.

Qualifications

• BSc in Zootechnics (Animal Husbandry and Science)
• (PGCE) Postgrad qualification in Teaching University degrees (both qualifications recognized by the UK Government, through UK NARIC)
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, MSc
• Ph.D. in Biomedicine (ongoing)

Recent conferences

• "Efectos de la Contaminacion sobre la salud" - University of  Narino - Colombia 10th December 2018 (Speaker)
• "Animal models in Research" - University of Narino - Colombia 28th June 2019 (Speaker)

Experience in industry

During my role as a Research Technician in the Oncogenesis and Antitumor Group at the Research Institute Hospital de Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain, I collaborated on a preclinical study evaluating a novel antitumor drug developed by PharmaMar, a Spanish biopharmaceutical company specialising in oncology.

My responsibilities included supporting in vivo pharmacological studies using BALB/c nude mice xenograft models implanted with human tumour tissue. I was involved in animal monitoring, tissue collection, necropsy procedures, sample preparation, and the processing of biological specimens for biochemical and histological analyses. This experience provided me with a strong understanding of the drug development process, preclinical research methodologies, and the application of rigorous scientific and ethical standards within an industry-academic collaborative environment.

Working alongside both academic researchers and industry partners strengthened my ability to contribute effectively to multidisciplinary translational research projects aimed at developing innovative cancer therapies.

International experience

I have extensive international research experience gained through collaborations between institutions in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Colombia. In July and December 2019, I was a member of the research team for the project "Environmental Impact on Fertility and Reproductive Function," a collaborative initiative between the University of Nottingham (UK) and the University of Nariño (Colombia).

The project involved fieldwork with indigenous communities in the Colombian Amazon, investigating the relationship between environmental exposures and reproductive health. As part of the research team, I contributed to sample collection, laboratory procedures, data management, and interdisciplinary collaboration, working alongside researchers from different scientific and cultural backgrounds.

This experience strengthened my ability to work effectively in international and multidisciplinary teams, adapt to challenging research environments, and contribute to projects addressing global health and environmental issues.

Recent publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

• Chambers, J., Erazo Bastidas, M., Roscoe, C.M.P., Chidley, C., Makkar, A., & Duggirala, A. (2026). Vigorous Physical Activity Mitigates Susceptibility to Obesity Associated with Risk Genotypes of FTO and MC4R, and SREBF1 Is Hypermethylated: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study. Epigenomes,  10, 42.
• Sharma, P., Erazo Bastidas, M., Ali, U., Sivasubramaniam, S., & Parthsarathy, V. (2025). Stable apelin-13 analogues promote cell proliferation, differentiation and protect inflammation-induced cell death. Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, 135, 104036.
• Erazo, M.C., Del Valle, L.J., & Sepulcre, F. (2005). Transfection of the Rhodopsin gene with the pMT4 vector into LB33 cultured in Halobacterium salinarum. II Doctoral Symposium on Agri-food Biotechnology and Sustainability, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Internal publication), Barcelona, Spain, pp. 55–58.
• Metón, I., Egea, M., Fernández, F., Erazo, M.C., & Baanante, I.V. (2004). The N-terminal sequence directs the import of mitochondrial alanine aminotransferase into mitochondria. FEBS Letters, 566(1–3), 251–254.