Members

Saacnicteh Toledo-Patiño

Saacnicteh is a Structural Biochemist specialized in protein evolution and engineering. Leading the Molecular Bioengineering group at OIST, her research focuses on how proteins adapt and evolve through mutational changes. During her Ph.D. at the Max Planck Institute for Biology, she uncovered how small modifications, such as insertions and deletions (InDels), drive the evolution of new protein architectures. In Japan, she extended this work, recreating coenzyme-binding and topology switches in ancestral protein folds. Her current goal is to harness evolutionary principles to develop proteins for real-world applications.

Apply (here) for a fully-funded position starting from January 2025!!

Jorge E. Herrera Pérez

Jorge is a molecular biologist from Mexico City. He studied biology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and later pursued a master’s degree in the biochemistry program at UNAM, working in the synthetic biology laboratory at the Genomic Sciences Center (CCG) on the Morelos campus. He is interested in the design and engineering of proteins for biotechnological applications and in exploring the field of protein evolution. His hobbies include fishing, cooking, and rowing.

Interested in a research internship? Contact us to apply.

Euikyung Yu

I was born and raised in South Korea. After marrying, I moved around many places. During my masters, I studied protein structural biology. I have experienced as a technician and assistant in Korea and Japan. I would still want to learn many new skills and try my new challenges. Apart from science, I am enjoying my free time snorkeling, visiting delicious restaurants and exploring Okinawa with my family. Especially these days, I fell in love with studying while watching Japanese dramas.

Toshihiko Seto

toshihiko.seto@oist.jp

In my free time, I like to travel, hand drip some coffee, play tennis, and skiing. I used to be a political science researcher. After that, I worked for a private university in Tokyo, managing international students’ admissions. I have lived in Canada and Algeria. All the experience brought me here to OIST.

I look forward to working with you all.