Paula Ordonez

Principal Laboratory Research Scientist
Retrovirus-Host Interactions Laboratory

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Paula research interests include antiviral research and virus-host interactions, with a particular focus on novel antiviral strategies to control viral replication and disease progression. Paula obtained a BMedSc and an MSc from Valle State University in Cali, Colombia, working in Felipe Garcia-Vallejo’s group on the production of retroviral recombinant proteins for use in diagnostics, and evaluating inhibitors of the HTLV-1 integrase isolated from coffee seeds. Paula went to Japan in 2005 to study for a PhD in Suminori Akiba's lab at the Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine in Kagoshima University. Her PhD research focused on the molecular epidemiology of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated gastric carcinoma, leading to the identification of EBV strains in case-control studies. Additional studies on EBV therapy evaluated NF-?B inhibitors in combination with antivirals. Paula then moved to work in Masanori Baba’s lab at the Centre for Chronic Viral Diseases on the anti-HIV-1 activity of novel uracil derivatives and natural products, mechanisms of action and resistance. Additional research included the identification of host factors involved in HIV-1 latency and reactivation using a genome-wide screening. Paula moved to London in 2012 to work in Jonathan Stoye’s lab at the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR; now the Francis Crick Institute). Her current research involves HIV and host factors, mainly on the activity of the restriction factor SAMHD1 and the HIV-1 accessory protein Vpr. In addition to research, her interests include science policy, science funding, science communication, public engagement and outreach.

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Email: paula.ordonez-suarez@crick.ac.uk

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