Lic. Ibrahim Zúñiga Chaves

 

He is a microbiologist graduated from the Licentiate program at the University of Costa Rica. Currently he is enrolled in the Masters Program of Microbiology with emphasis in Bacteriology from the same institution.

His three main research interests are host-microbe symbiotic relationships, bioprospecting of bacteria and their associated metabolites and finally the implementation of bioinformatics tools in the study of environmental microbiology and microbial ecology. Ibrahim until now has been involved in projects like the development of zompopas.com, biological control of leaf-cutting ants, discovery of amphibian skin bacteria with antifungal activity and the search for novel enzymes in consortia of anaerobic microorganisms.

His Master's thesis focuses on the study of microbial populations in the gut of passalid beetles (feed on wood and decaying organic matter) and how they contribute with cellulose degradation.