Assistant Professor, at Adventist University of Chile, Chile.
Dr. Oscar Salgado is a distinguished Chilean biologist specializing in molecular genetics and microbiology. He earned his PhD in Biological Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 2024, receiving the highest distinction for his research on virus-host interactions in thermal environments. His academic journey includes master’s degrees from both the Pontifical Catholic University and the Austral University of Chile, where he also graduated with maximum distinction. Dr. Salgado’s research primarily focuses on the ecological and genetic aspects of CRISPR-Cas systems in thermophilic microorganisms. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Adventist University of Chile, contributing significantly to the fields of microbiology, immunology, and bioinformatics. His work has been recognized internationally, earning him prestigious awards such as the Seal of Excellence from the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program. Dr. Salgado’s dedication to scientific advancement is evident through his extensive research, teaching, and contributions to the scientific community.
Professional Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Oscar Salgado’s academic foundation is rooted in a robust education in biological sciences. He obtained his PhD in Biological Sciences with a focus on Molecular Genetics and Microbiology from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 2024, where he conducted groundbreaking research on virus-host interactions in thermal environments. Prior to this, he earned two master’s degrees: one in Biological Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University in 2018, and another in Microbiology from the Austral University of Chile in 2014, both with maximum distinction. His educational journey began with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Natural Sciences from the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación in 2012, also graduating with maximum distinction. Dr. Salgado’s academic achievements reflect his commitment to excellence and his passion for advancing knowledge in the field of biological sciences.
Experience
Dr. Oscar Salgado has accumulated extensive experience in both research and teaching throughout his career. He currently holds the position of Assistant Professor at the Adventist University of Chile, where he has been teaching since August 2021. In this role, he instructs courses in microbiology, immunology, genetics, and bioinformatics, and has supervised several student research projects. His previous academic roles include serving as a Teaching Assistant at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile from 2017 to 2018, and as an Instructor Professor at the Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación in 2015. Dr. Salgado’s research experience is equally impressive, having worked as a Research Assistant at various institutions, including Fundación Ciencia & Vida in Chile and Universidad Autónoma de Chile, contributing to projects funded by Fondecyt. Additionally, he has participated in international research initiatives, collaborating with institutions such as the Universidad de Alicante in Spain and Université Paris-Saclay in France.
Research Interests
Dr. Oscar Salgado’s research interests lie at the intersection of microbiology, molecular genetics, and bioinformatics, with a particular emphasis on the ecological and genetic dynamics of CRISPR-Cas systems in thermophilic microorganisms. His work explores virus-host interactions in thermal environments, aiming to understand the specificity and ecogenomics of these systems. Dr. Salgado is also interested in the microbial communities of hot springs, investigating their diversity and the role of viral communities within these ecosystems. His research contributes to a deeper understanding of microbial ecology and has potential applications in biotechnology and environmental science.repositorio.uc.cl
Awards
Dr. Oscar Salgado’s exceptional contributions to science have been recognized through numerous awards and honors. Notably, he received the Seal of Excellence from the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program in 2025, highlighting the quality and impact of his research. In 2023, he was honored with the Best Short Communication Award at the XLV Congress of the Microbiology Society of Chile. His academic excellence has been further acknowledged through several national scholarships, including the National Doctoral Scholarship in 2017 and the Benefit of Doctoral Internship Abroad in 2020. Dr. Salgado’s consistent recognition underscores his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and his standing in the global research community.
Top Noted Publications
Dr. Oscar Salgado has authored and co-authored several influential publications in the field of microbiology and molecular genetics. His work includes articles in reputable journals such as Frontiers in Microbiology and mSphere. One of his notable publications is “Unveiling Ecological and Genetic Novelty within Lytic and Lysogenic Viral Communities of Hot Spring Phototrophic Microbial Mats,” co-authored with S. Guajardo-Leiva, F. Santos, C. Regeard, L. Quillet, and B. Díez, published in 2021. Another significant paper is “Global Phylogenomic Novelty of the Cas1 Gene from Hot Spring Microbial Communities,” co-authored with S. Guajardo-Leiva, A. Moya-Beltrán, C. Barbosa, C. Ridley, J. Tamayo-Leiva, R. Quatrini, F. Mojica, and B. Díez, published in 2022. These publications reflect Dr. Salgado’s commitment to advancing our understanding of microbial ecosystems and their genetic components.
1. Barbosa et al. (2023)
Title: Effects of hydrogeochemistry on the microbial ecology of terrestrial hot springs
Journal: mSphere
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00249-23
2. Salgado et al. (2022)
Title: Global phylogenomic novelty of the Cas1 gene from hot spring microbial communities
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1069452
3. Guajardo-Leiva et al. (2021)
Title: Unveiling ecological and genetic novelty within lytic and lysogenic viral communities of hot spring phototrophic microbial mats
Journal: mSphere
DOI: 10.1128/Spectrum.00694-21
4. Alcorta et al. (2020)
Title: Taxonomic novelty and distinctive genomic features of hot spring Cyanobacteria
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.568223
5. Guajardo-Leiva et al. (2018)
Title: Active Crossfire Between Cyanobacteria and Cyanophages in Phototrophic Mat Communities Within Hot Springs
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.02039
6. Pérez-Cataluña et al. (2018)
Title: A polyphasic and taxogenomic reevaluation uncovers Arcobacter cryaerophilus as a species complex that embraces four genomovars
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00805
7. Caruffo et al. (2016)
Title: Protective yeasts control Vibrio anguillarum concentration and modulate the innate immune response in challenged zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae
Journal: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2016.00127
8. Yáñez et al. (2015)
Title: Amplification of tlh gene in other Vibrio using species-specific multiplex PCR of Vibrio parahaemolyticus
Journal: Electronic Journal of Biotechnology
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejbt.2015.09.007
9. Caruffo et al. (2015)
Title: Potential probiotic yeasts isolated from the fish gut protect zebrafish (Danio rerio) from a Vibrio anguillarum challenge
Journal: Frontiers in Microbiology
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2015.01093
10. Arredondo-Núñez et al. (2011)
Title: Sphericity and smaller pollen-size are better represented in introduced rather than native plant species
Journal: Gayana Botanica
DOI: 10.4067/S0717-66432011000200024
Conclusion
Dr. Oscar Salgado is a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. He demonstrates excellence in scientific research, international collaboration, and academic leadership. His track record shows consistent scholarly productivity, innovation in bioinformatics and microbiology, and commitment to mentorship and public outreach. With minor growth in international funding and English fluency, he stands poised for even greater contributions to the global scientific community.