.png)
About me
(he/him/él)
I have a scientific background in microbes, host-pathogen interactions, and immunology. I received my PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. In my PhD, I studied how human cells perform autophagy, a cellular recycling process to replenish fundamental components and get rid of unwanted content. Now as a postdoctoral fellow at UCLA, I study how mitochondria may sense and response to effector proteins by intracellular pathogens. I utilize microscopy, genetics (e.g. CRISPR-based editing), and biochemical techniques. I have a broad interest in cellular and molecular biology
Outside of the lab, I enjoy the outdoors. You can find me hiking, kayaking, or road biking in warmer temperatures. In the winter, I partake in cross country skiing. I enjoy strength training all year round. All these activities leave me constantly hungry. So I like cooking meals, specifically Mexican dishes, and sharing with my friends.
I am strongly committed to increasing diversity and representation in STEM.
​
Identities: Mexican-American, First-Generation, Queer
​
​
​
Education
Doctor of Philosophy
March 2024
PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Dartmouth College
Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies and Geisel School of Medicine
Bachelors of Science
May 2018
BS in Biological Sciences (Microbiology and Immunology Emphasis)
University of California, Merced
Research Experience
University of California, Los Angeles
April 2024 - Current
Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Lena Pernas. Research is focused on studying host organelle responses to intracellular pathogens to stimulate innate immunity.
Dartmouth College
August 2018 - April 2024
Graduate research work in the lab of Christopher J Shoemaker. Research is focused on studying mitochondrial quality control and selective autophagy.
University of Iowa
June 2017 - July 2017
Undergraduate summer research fellowship done in the lab of Wilmara Salgado-Pabón (now at University of Wisconsin, Madison). Research was focus on understanding the molecular regulation of Entertoxin Gene Cluster in Staphylococcus aureus.
University of California, Merced
May 2016 - June 2018
Undergraduate research work done in the lab of Clarissa J Nobile at the University of California, Merced. Research was focus on identifying the gene regulatory network of Candida albicans that is involved in the response to host mucins.
Scientific Works
Delgado, J. M. and Pernas, L. (2024). Mitochondria as sensors of intracellular pathogens. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2024.10.009​
Delgado, J. M., Shepard, L.W., Lamson, S.W., Liu, S.S., & Shoemaker, C. J. (2023). The ER membrane protein complex restricts mitophagy by controlling BNIP3 turnover. The EMBO Journal. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44318-023-00006-z
Autophagic Punctum: Delgado, J. M. & Shoemaker, C. J. (2024) An unexpected journey for BNIP3, Autophagy, DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2024.2312038
_edited.jpg)
Malik, H.S., Magnotti, F., Loeven, N.A., Delgado, J. M., Kettenbach, A. N., Henry, T, & Bliska, J.B. (2023). Phosphoprotein phosphatase activity positively regulates oligomeric pyrin to trigger inflammasome assembly in phagocytes. mBio, e0206623. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.02066-23.
Ohnstad, A. E., Delgado, J. M., North, B. J., Nasa, I., Kettenbach, A. N., Schultz, S. W., & Shoemaker, C. J. (2020). Receptor-mediated clustering of FIP200 bypasses the role of LC3 lipidation in autophagy. The EMBO journal, 39(24), e104948. https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.2020104948
​
Opinion piece: Rebellious autophagy proteins bypass ATG8 lipidation, taking their own path to autophagic degradation
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB)
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
After becoming a SACNAS member in 2016 as an undergraduate student, I became passionate with the mission to increase representation and diversity in STEM fields. Continuing the passion in graduate school, I served on University of Vermont's SACNAS chapter as liaison for Dartmouth College. Until 2022, where a group of graduate students and I founded the a SACNAS chapter at Dartmouth College, making it the first chapter in the state of New Hampshire and third in the Northern New England region. In our inaugural year we fundraised over $10,000 dollars, hosted over 27 chapter activities, and made an impact to over 450 Dartmouth community members.
​
Today, I am active and have a presence in the SACNAS organization and attend both regional and national conferences.
.png)
Scientists in Solidarity
(SIS)
_edited.png)
Scientists in Solidarity is a Boston-based life science organization for BIPOC students and professionals focused on building an inclusive community. Through career development opportunities, mentorship, and outreach, we seek to create a space for us to learn and thrive in our field. We are passionate about increasing and retaining diversity in the life sciences.
Service
Vice President
August 2022 - June 2023
Founding member and Vice President of the SACNAS (Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science) chapter at Dartmouth. My focus goals for the chapter was ensuring funding from the institution and coordination of professional development events.
Marketing Lead
January 2022 - Present
Marketing Lead for 501(c) non-profit Scientists in Solidarity, a Boston-based life science organization for BIPOC students and professionals focused on building an inclusive community.
Mentor
October 2021 - August 2024
Mentor at Polygence LLC. Mentor to high school students. Guided in forming a research question and project. Mentored 6 high school students since 2020.
Dartmouth College Liaison
September 2020 - August 2022
Represented the Dartmouth community to SACNAS at UVM. Established connections and a sense of community between the two campuses.
SKILLS & TECHNIQUES
SPANISH FLUENCY
Native/Bilingual Proficiency
TECHNICAL LABORATORY
Advanced
-
FACS-based sorting and flow cytometry
-
Mammalian cell culture
-
Fluorescence confocal microscopy
-
Molecular cloning
-
CRISPR-based screening
-
Protein-based assays
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Intermediate​
GRANT WRITING
Intermediate​