PhD. Mario Pablo Estrada García

He is a Nuclear Energy Engineer and Doctor in Biological Sciences. He is a Titular Academician of the Agrarian section of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, Titular Professor and Titular Investigator. His specialty is Animal Biotechnology. He is currently Director of Agricultural Biotechnology Research. He was Head of the Animal Biotechnology Division, the Aquatic Biotechnology Department and Project, and the Cloning Laboratory of the Mammalian Cell Genetics Division of the CIGB.

He began his career in biomedical research by developing the first recombinant streptokinase produced in E. coli. This product is currently applied in the Cuban health system to treat myocardial infarction, the application of which has saved the lives of thousands of people. The patent for this product was granted in several countries. Since 1994, he started working in aquatic biotechnology. He was involved in fish transgenesis being part of a pioneering group in the field, and later, he began to work on developing products to improve aquaculture, such as vaccines and neuropeptides, which are capable of connecting growth and immunity. This led to several patents granted in many countries.

In 2008 he assumed the direction of the Department of Animal Biotechnology, leading not only aquatic biotechnology projects but also several research projects related to the development of new veterinary vaccines in different expression platforms and the revitalization of tick control in Cuba through Gavac, the only vaccine for ectoparasites available on the market. During this period he participated in the development and registration in Cuba of a novel and effective vaccine against classical swine fever. As director of Agricultural Biotechnology since 2015, he dedicates his efforts to the registration of new veterinary vaccines in Cuba and other countries. In addition, he is involved in the improvement of agriculture in Cuba through the spread of transgenic crops and other developments.

He is the author of more than 100 publications in peer-reviewed journals and 10 patents granted in various countries. He received the “Carlos J. Finlay” medal for the 30th Anniversary of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, awarded by the Council of State of Cuba, for his excellent scientific results. He is the leader of 11 achievements recognized by the Cuban Academy of Sciences. He was the leader of a team that won the PAMBA Marine Biotechnology Award of Excellence competition in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

He has participated as a lecturer, delegate, organizer and scientific president of more than 100 international scientific events. He was President and Scientific Secretary of the Organizing Committee of the International Congress of Biotechnology of Havana on several occasions. He is President of the international conferences Bioaqua, Bioticks and BioCubaAgro.