Mariangeliz Delgado López
MIT Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Prof. Tami Liberman
Research Supervisor: Laura Markey
Undergraduate Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Humacao
Website:
Biography
Mariangeliz Delgado López is an undergraduate microbiology student at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. Originally from Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, she has developed a strong interest in biomedical research and science communication.At UPR-Humacao, she conducts research in Dr. Kevin Alicea’s laboratory, studying the effects of plant extracts on cancer cells to explore potential therapeutic applications. Her passion for health equity led her to volunteer with MEDLIFE in Ecuador, supporting medical brigades in underserved communities. She has also participated in science outreach, coastal restoration projects, and training programs like Bio-Talents. Mariangeliz is particularly interested in the intersection of microbiology and human health, and aspires to contribute to scientific discovery and public well-being. Outside the lab, she enjoys hiking, reading, and writing. Her diverse experiences and dedication to service and research allow her to bring empathy, curiosity, and collaboration to every academic and professional environment
Abstract
The Evolution of Oxygen-Dependent Gene Expression in Cutibacterium acne and Its Implication for Host Interaction
Mariangeliz Delgado Lopez1,2, Laura Markey.2, and Tami Lieberman2
1Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao Campus
2Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The human skin microbiome is a dynamic ecosystem essential for immune regulation and overall skin health. A dominant member of this community in oily skin regions is Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), a bacterium uniquely adapted to human skin. Distinct C. acnes strains show enrichment across individuals of different ages and geographic backgrounds, suggesting that these patterns may be shaped by bacterial traits and host-specific selection. One possible factor influencing these differences is oxygen, which differs by pore depth and may shape the growth environment and interaction with the host. To investigate this, we tested whether oxygen affects how different C.acnes strains grow and express genes. To do this, 12 strains from different phylogroups were grown in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It was found that oxygen availability significantly influences C.acnes growth rate and behavior, with the additional complexity of strain-specific responses. These results advance beyond static genomic analyses by identifying oxygen as a critical environmental factor influencing microbial function on the skin and by offering functional context to previously observed variations in strain abundance.