Francesca Aguilo (francesca.aguilo@umu.se)
Principal investigator
I'm originally from Mallorca, where I did my Bachelor in Biology and Biochemistry at the University of the Balearic Islands. I then moved to Barcelona, to do my PhD at the University of Barcelona, studying the metabolism of ketone bodies. As a postdoc at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, I became interested in understanding epigenetic and epitranscriptomic mechanisms governing stem cell function. I joined the WCMM at Umeå University in October 2016 as an independent researcher. I love cinema, music, travelling, skiing, reading...
Devi Prasad (devi.prasad@umu.se)
Postdoctoral fellow
I came from the beautiful Himalayan country Nepal where I completed my BSc. in Biochemistry from Purbanchal University. Then, I went to Jiwaji University, India for MSc. Biochemistry. I have completed my PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2013-2017) from Beijing Institutes of Genomics (UCAS), China, under the supervision of Prof. Yungui Yang, where I studied various RNA modification, including reader proteins for m6A. My research interest areas are on different RNA modifications and its implications in health and disease. I am very much fond of hiking and photography (a lot to learn).
Kanchan Kumari (kanchan.kumari@umu.se)
Postdoctoral Fellow
I completed my doctoral studies in 2019 at the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar, India, the vibrant “City of Temples.” During my PhD, I investigated molecular mechanisms central to tumor biology, with a particular focus on breast cancer. After a year of postdoctoral training at the DNA Lab, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar, I joined Xisca’s Group in October 2020. Here, I continue to deepen my expertise in the molecular biology of transcriptomic gene regulation during cancer progression. A positive outlook keeps me motivated and enthusiastic. Outside the lab, I enjoy music, traveling, and exploring new places.
Marga Esteva Socias (margalida.esteva@umu.se)
PhD Student
I am from Mallorca, but I moved to Barcelona to do my BSc in Genetics at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. During my Master’s degree, I joined Advanced Therapies and Biomarkers in Clinical Oncology Group at IdISBa (Mallorca) where I studied the clinical utility of EGFR as a prognostic biomarker in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Before joining the Aguilo Lab as a PhD student, I also worked as a research support technician in a biobank participating in various research projects related especially to lung cancer and inflammation. Besides research, I try to have time for photography, travelling, cooking and climbing.
Baptiste Bogard (baptiste.bogard@umu.se)
Postdoctoral Fellow
I come from France where I graduated with my master's degree in RNA Enzyme Sciences at Nancy before moving to Paris for my PhD studies. I completed my PhD in 2021 at the Epigenetics and Cell Fate unit in Dr. Claire Francastel's team under Dr. Florent Hubé's supervision. I was working on the role of small nucleolar RNAs during normal and pathological muscle differentiation. As part of the “EC postdoctoral program in Life Science”, I joined Aguilo’s and Frisan’s labs in September 2023 to work on the role of the modulation of the RNA modification m6A during Salmonella infection. Outside the lab, I like playing football, video games, and skiing.
Poonam Baidya (poonam.baidya@umu.se)
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am originally from Kathmandu, the City of Temples in Nepal. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry in Kathmandu before heading to Gwalior, India, for my postgraduate studies. Later, I pursued my Ph.D. at the Beijing Institute of Genomics, where I was introduced to the fascinating world of RNA and RNA modifications. After completing my doctorate, I worked as a lecturer in Kathmandu. In the summer of 2024, I joined Xisca's lab as a postdoctoral researcher. Here, I continue my work, delving deeper into the understanding of the complexities of breast cancer and RNA modifications. Outside of research, I enjoy watching movies and traveling.
Claudia Sudol (claudia.sudol@umu.se)
Postdoctoral Fellow
I come from France, where I obtained my BSc in Life Sciences and master’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at Sorbonne University in Paris. I completed my PhD in November 2024 under the supervision of Dr. Damien Bregeon and Dr. Djemel Hamdane at the Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS). My doctoral research focused on tRNA dihydrouridylation in bacteria, where I investigated the redox mechanism of Dus enzymes responsible for this post-transcriptional modification. Driven by a strong interest in RNA biology and post-transcriptional regulation, I joined Aguilo’s lab in September 2025, where I have the opportunity to work on m6A RNA-binding proteins in the context of triple-negative breast cancer. Besides research, I enjoy climbing, baking and traveling