Diego Fernando Villanueva Mejía
Biólogo con Maestría (M.Sc.) y Doctorado (Ph.D.) en Biotecnología.
Resumen/Summary
Diego Villanueva-Mejía is a biotechnology researcher with 24 years of experience bridging fundamental science and applied innovation. As a Full Professor at EAFIT University and CEO of Vitra Biotecnología SAS—a deep-tech startup specializing in cellular biofactories—he leads initiatives that address critical challenges in tropical agriculture and sustainable bioprocessing.
Holding a PhD in Biotechnology and recognized as a Senior Researcher by Colombia's Ministry of Science (2017–present), Professor Villanueva has built expertise across molecular biology, genetic engineering, genome editing (CRISPR-Cas systems), and microbial biotechnology. His research portfolio encompasses genome sequencing, population genetics, phylogeographic studies using molecular markers, and gene expression analysis in plants, bacteria, and insects.
Key Expertise & Impact
Biotechnological Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Development of genetically improved crops and microorganisms tailored to Colombian tropical conditions
- Design and implementation of plant tissue culture systems and cellular biofactories
- Application of genome editing tools for targeted genetic improvement
- Scientific Director of Natural Vitro (university spin-off, 2018–2023), translating academic research into commercial biotechnology solutions
- Founder & CEO of Vitra Biotecnología SAS, driving deep-tech innovation in bioprocessing and sustainable agriculture
Strategic Leadership
- Scientific advisor to government agencies and private sector organizations across health, agriculture, environmental, and food industries
- Track record of securing competitive research funding and leading multidisciplinary teams
- Reviewer for peer-reviewed international journals in biotechnology and molecular biology
Academic Excellence & Institution Building
- Founded and led the Natural Systems and Sustainability Area within the School of Applied Sciences and Engineering at EAFIT University (2022–2024), establishing a strategic research focus on bioeconomy and environmental biotechnology
- Founded the Biology undergraduate program at EAFIT University (2010–2012), serving as its architect and inaugural leader (2012-2018)
- Positioned the program among Colombia's top three Biology programs nationally (2016–2018) during tenure as Department Head
- Co-created the School of Sciences (2014–2015) and established the Department of Biological Sciences, leading it through 2016-2022.
- Proven success in curriculum design, academic quality assurance, and institutional strategic planning
Research Focus Areas
- Genome editing applications: Crop improvement for tropical agroecosystems, development of therapeutic targets in human health, and optimization of animal/human nutrition systems using CRISPR-Cas and related technologies.
- Molecular biotechnology: Characterization and engineering of metabolic pathways in bacteria, yeasts, fungi, plants, to produce high-value compounds and industrial bioprocesses.
- Biodiversity genomics and molecular markers: Conservation strategies, population genetics, and marker-assisted selection for agronomic trait improvement in tropical species.
- Cellular biofactories and sustainable bioprocesses: Design of engineered biological systems for scalable production of bioactive compounds, biopharmaceuticals, and bio-based materials.
Intereses académicos e investigativos/Research and Teaching Interest
Biotecnología Molecular / Molecular Biotechnology.
Ingeniería Genética de Plantas / Plant Genetic Engineering.
Edición Genética / Gene Editing.
Cultivo de Tejidos Vegetales /Plant Tissue Culture.
Genética de Poblaciones / Population Genetics.
Estudios realizados/Education
Doctor en Biotecnología / Ph.D. in Biotechnology (2015).
Maestría en Biotecnología / M.Sc. in Biotechnology (2005).
Pregrado en Biología / B.Sc. in Biology (2003).
Publicaciones / Publications.
Mis publicaciones/ Publications
Peer Reviewed (Last 10th years)
2025. López-Hernández, Felipe. Villanueva-Mejía, Diego. Tofiño-Rivera, Adriana and Cortés, Andrés. Genomic Prediction of Adaptation in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) x Tepary Bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray) Hybrids. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(15), 7370. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157370
2024. A. A. Velásquez, J. P. Urquijo, Y.A. Montoya, D.M. Susunaga, and D. F. Villanueva-Mejía, “Evaluation of the application of suspensions of iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with quaternized chitosan and phosphates on yellow maize and chili pepper plants,” Interactions, vol. 245, no. 27, pp. 1–16, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10751-024-01843-y.
2023. D. F. Villanueva Mejía and C. I. Saldamando Benjumea, “Genética de poblaciones y filogeografía de Tecia solanivora,” in Biología evolutiva y control de plagas de importancia económica, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, ed. Medellín: Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Facultad de Ciencias, 2023, pp. 65–89
2023. Arrieta-Echeverri Maria, Fernández Geysson, Duarte-Riveros Adriana, Correa-Álvarez Javier, Bardales Jorge, Villanueva-Mejía Diego F, Sierra-Zapata Laura. Multi-omics characterization of the microbial populations and chemical space composition of a water kefir fermentation. Front. Mol. Biosci. 10:1223863, pp. 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1223863
2023. Figueroa-Varela P, Susunaga-Gómez D, Restrepo-Osorio C, Harms C, and Villanueva-Mejía D. An efficient method for protoplast ‑ mediated production of transformed castor bean (Ricinus communis) lines. BMC Res. Notes 16, 1–8. doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06414-y.
2023. López-Hernández F, Burbano-Erazo E, León-Pacheco RI, Cordero-Cordero CC, Villanueva-Mejía DF, Tofiño-Rivera AP, Cortés, AJ. Multi-Environment Genome-Wide Association Studies of Yield Traits in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) × Tepary Bean (P. acutifolius A. Gray) Interspecific Advanced Lines in Humid and Dry Colombian Caribbean Subregions. Agronomy 13. doi: 10.3390/agronomy13051396.
2023. Hoyos BS, Hernandez-tenorio F, Miranda AM, Villanueva-Mejia DF, and Alex AS. Systematic Analysis of Genes Related to Selenium Bioaccumulation in Microalgae: A Review. Biology (Basel). 12, 1–17. doi: 10.3390/biology12050703
2023. Montoya-Giraldo YA, Portela-Dávila AR, Susunaga-Gómez D, Urquijo-Morales JP, Velásquez-Torres ÁA, and Villanueva-Mejía DF. In vitro germination and growth of maize and lettuce seeds exposed to iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. DYNA 90, 9–13. doi: 10.15446/dyna.v90n227.106149.
2021. Villanueva-Corrales S, García-Botero C, Garcés-Cardona F, Ramírez-Ríos V, Villanueva-Mejía DF, and Álvarez JC. The Complete Chloroplast Genome of Plukenetia volubilis Provides Insights Into the Organelle Inheritance. Front. Plant Sci. 12:667060.
2020. Catalina Restrepo-Osorio, Alejandro Gil-Correal, Lina Chamorro-Gutierrez, Viviana Ramírez-Ríos, Javier C. Álvarez and, Diego Villanueva-Mejía. Efficiente direct shoot organogenesis and genetic stability in micropropagated sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.). BMC Research Notes. 13:414, 1-7.
2020. Héctor A Rodríguez-Cabal, Claudia Y Jaramillo-Mazo, Nicolás D Franco-Sierra, Diego F Villanueva-Mejía, Javier C Álvarez. A Differentially Expressed Gene from a High Oil Producer Cultivar of Castor Bean (Ricinus communis) is Involved in the Biosynthesis of Ricinoleic Acid. American Journal of Plant Sciences. 11: 393-412.
2019. Alejandro Gil-Correal, Catalina Restrepo-Osorio, Javier Correa Álvarez, Diego Fernando Villanueva-Mejía. Direct in vitro Regeneration of Castor Bean Plants (Ricinus communis) Using Epicotyls. Bioscience Journal. 35:2, 347-355 Mar./Apr.
2018. D Villanueva-Mejía. Modern Biotechnology for Agricultural Development in Colombia. Ingeniería y Ciencia 14 (28): 169-194.
2017. D Villanueva-Mejia and J. C. Alvarez. Genetic Improvement of Oilseed Crops Using Modern Biotechnology. In: Advances in Seed Biology. InTech pp. 295–317. ISBN 978-953-51-3622-4
2017. V Ramírez-Ríos, JC Alvarez, and D Villanueva-Mejia. Mitochondrial Genomes of Lepidopteran Insects Considered Crop Pests. In: Lepidoptera. InTech pp. 103–122. ISBN 978-953-51-3660-6
2016. Ramírez-Ríos V, Franco-Sierra N, Correa Álvarez J, Saldamando-Benjumea C, and Villanueva-Mejía D. Mitochondrial genome characterization of Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera:Gelechiidae) and its phylogenetic relationship with other lepidopteran insects. Gene 581: 107-116.
2015. Villanueva-Mejía D, Ramírez-Ríos V, Arango-Isaza R, and Saldamando-Benjumea C, Phylogeography of Tecia solanivora from Colombia Based on Cytochrome Oxydase I and Cytochrome b Mitochondrial Genes. Southwestern Entomologist Journal. 40(4):775-788.
2015. Villanueva-Mejía D, Ramírez-Ríos V, Arango-Isaza R, and Saldamando-Benjumea C. Microsatellite analysis reveals population structure and population expansion of Tecia solanivora in Solanum tuberosum in Colombia. Southwestern Entomologist Journal. 40 2.
2014. Villanueva D. Torres J. Rivera H. Nuñez V. Arango R. and Angel F. Líneas colombianas de papa genéticamente modificadas resistentes a Tecia solanivora (Lepidoptera: g elechiidae) bajo campo confinado. Revista Colombiana de Entomología. 40 (2): 146-155.
2013. Villanueva D. and Arango R. Hacia el desarrollo de líneas de papa biotecnológicas: la experiencia colombiana EN: CHAPARRO-GIRALDO, A. Propiedad Intelectual y Regulación en Biotecnología Vegetal – El Caso de los Cultivos Genéticamente Modificados (GM). Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia. p115-128. ISBN 978-958-761-613-2.
Other publications
Over 65 invited talks at international/national conferences and 40 invited lectures/seminars at leading universities and research centers.
Premios / Awards
First Place Research Award “Premio Anual de Investigación 2021 – Categoría Trayectoria Investigativa (Research Trajectory Award)”. EAFIT University. May 16, 2022.
First Place Research Award "Premio a la Investigación Universidad EAFIT". April 30, 2018.
Second Place Category "Researchers". Awards “Semilleros ADN 2011”. AgroBio.
Fellowship to undertake PhD level studies by Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación COLCIENCIAS. Resolution No 1419 of 2010.
Fellowship by Universidad del Tolima. 1999-2001.
Award by Faculty of Science´s Faculty Council of Universidad del Tolima.
Emprendimientos de base biotecnológica / Biotech-based ventures
Vitra Biotecnología SAS
Professor Villanueva is founder and scientific director of this Start up Vitra Biotecnología SAS (2024 – to date).
Natural Vitro
Professor Villanueva was CEO and scientific director of the spin-off Natural Vitro (2018-2023).
Datos de contacto
Correo
dvillanu@eafit.edu.co
Dirección
Carrera 49 No 7 Sur 50, Medellín (Colombia). Bloque 20., oficina 709