Skip to main content
Tamara Lechon Gomez

Dr Tamara Lechon Gomez

Lecturer in Plant Biology

School of Biosciences

Email
LechonGomezT@cardiff.ac.uk
Telephone
+44 29225 14679
Campuses
Sir Martin Evans Building, Room W3.13, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX

Overview

I am a plant biologist and bioinformatician interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that govern plant regeneration and pluripotency. I am especially interested in the molecular events that initiate and allow reprogramming of cell fate.

Roles

Module lead: BI1051 (Genetics and Evolution)

Publication

2022

2021

2020

2016

2015

Articles

Book sections

Research

I am currently investigating the mechanisms that lead to cell reprogramming in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.

My postdoctoral research focused on describing the gene regulatory networks that control pluripotency and differentiation in plant stem cells using the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Using diverse omics techniques, I tried to understand how cell fate is controlled in the shoot apical meristem by the KNOX-TCP regulatory module.

My pre-doctoral work aimed to explain the role of a plant signalling molecule during root development and growth in drought and high salinity conditions. During my PhD, I studied the interaction between complex signalling networks during early plant development and cell differentiation.

Teaching

I lecture in genetics, genomics, and plant biology. I am currently involved in the following Biosciences modules:

  • Module Lead: Genetics and Evolution (BI1051)
  • Contributor: Skills for Science (BI1001)
  • Lecturer: Molecular Biology of the Gene (BI2234)
  • Lecturer: Genes to Genomes (BI3254)

Biography

2018-2022: Research Associate in Dr Simon Scofield's lab. I worked on the project “Controlling pluripotency and differentiation in plant cells: the KNOX-TCP regulatory module”.

2018: PhD, "Genetic and molecular characterization of nitric oxide (NO) homeostasis during early plant development in  Arabidopsis thaliana” - University of Salamanca

2014: Research Assistant in Sacyr Valoriza Medioambiente, "Exploration of the regulatory mechanisms underlying leaf shedding in Platanus sp."

2013: M.Res. in Agricultural Biotechnology, “Phenotypical characterization of the effect of growth regulators in Arabidopsis:
The role of nitric oxide in salt stress” - University of Salamanca

2012: Lic. (B.Sc. + M.Sc.) in Biotechnology - University of Salamanca

Honours and awards

  • University of Salamanca Outstanding Doctorate Award in Cell and Molecular Biology (2018)
  • Spanish Federation of Biotechnology Experts (FEBiotec) Young Biotechnologists Award (2015)
  • University of Salamanca Outstanding Masters' Thesis Award in Agricultural Biotechnology (2013)

Professional memberships

  • Member of the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) (2019 - present)
  • Member of the Spanish Society for Plant Biology (SEPB-SEFV) (2013 - present)

Committees and reviewing

Cardiff University

  • School of Biosciences Diversity, Culture and Belonging Committee member (Community sub-group) (2019 - present)
  • Cardiff Biosciences Departmental Postdoctoral Seed Corn Fund Judging Panel member (2019, 2022)

External

  • Member of Organising Committee for the XIV Spanish Plant Molecular Biology Meeting (RBMP, Reunión de Biología Molecular de Plantas) (2018)
  • PhD Student Representative to the Spanish-Portuguese Institute for Agricultural Research (CIALE) Executive Team (2014-2018)

Reviewing

  • Journal Reviewer in Frontiers in Genetics - Plant GenomicsScientific Reports and The Plant Journal