Research Associate at Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cuba
š§Ŗ Dr. Fidel Ernesto Morales Vicente is an Auxiliary Researcher at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana, Cuba. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Federal University of SĆ£o Carlos, Brazil, specializing in covalent modifications of antimicrobial and anticancer peptides. With expertise in peptide synthesis, bioorganic chemistry, and biomedical research, he has led multiple research projects and industry collaborations. Dr. Morales has also served as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Havana. His contributions advance therapeutic peptide development and organic synthesis.
Publication Profile
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š Education & Qualifications
Dr. Fidel Ernesto Morales Vicente is a distinguished chemist with a strong academic background. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the Federal University of SĆ£o Carlos, Brazil, focusing on covalent modifications of antimicrobial and anticancer peptides š§Ŗ. His Ph.D. was later homologated at the University of Havana, Cuba. He holds a Masterās in Chemistry (2014) and a Bachelorās in Chemistry (2012) from the University of Havana, graduating with a Gold Diploma š
. Dr. Morales has also been part of Cubaās national preselection team for International Chemistry Olympiads š, demonstrating excellence in organic synthesis and peptide chemistry.
šØāš¬ Professional Experience
Dr. Fidel Ernesto Morales Vicente is an Auxiliary Researcher at the Peptide Synthetic Group, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), Havana š§Ŗ. Previously, he served as a Research & Development Specialist at CIGB and led the Biomedical Research Group at the University of Havana š„. He played a key role in a Company-University Agreement on therapeutic peptide modifications. Dr. Morales has extensive teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Havana š. His expertise spans organic synthesis, peptide chemistry, and biomedical research, contributing significantly to scientific advancements in Cuba and Brazil.
š Awards and Honors
Dr. Fidel Ernesto Morales Vicente has received multiple prestigious awards for his contributions to chemistry and biomedical research šļø. In 2024, he won the Havana University Prize for his work on antifungal peptides š¦ . He was honored with the CITMA Young Researcher Award in 2023 and the Special CITMA Award (2022) for his role in developing the Abdala COVID-19 vaccine š. His earlier accolades include the Cuban Academy of Science Prize (2016) and multiple Havana University Research Prizes. As a student, he earned Olympiad medals š
, including a Bronze Medal at the Iberoamerican Olympiad (2006).
š Teaching Experience
Dr. Fidel Ernesto Morales Vicente has extensive teaching experience in chemistry and peptide synthesis š§Ŗ. In 2023, he delivered a postgraduate course on Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis for the Masterās in Biotechnology at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana š«. He previously supervised teaching internships at the Federal University of SĆ£o Carlos, Brazil (2018) and taught the Chemical Reaction postgraduate course (2017). From 2012 to 2020, he lectured and assisted in General Chemistry courses at the University of Havana, guiding students in biochemistry, microbiology, and physical engineering š.
š¬ Research Focus
Dr. Fidel Ernesto Morales Vicente specializes in peptide chemistry, antimicrobial peptides, and bioorganic synthesis š§Ŗ. His research explores macrocyclization, multicomponent reactions, and peptide modifications for drug discovery š. He has contributed significantly to antifungal and antibacterial peptides, particularly Cm-p5 derivatives, targeting Candida auris and biofilm-related infections š¦ . His expertise extends to peptide organocatalysis, peptide-steroid conjugation, and solid-phase peptide synthesis š¬. He also investigates peptide-lipid interactions, antifungal mechanisms, and peptide-based drug delivery. His work bridges synthetic chemistry, biotechnology, and pharmacology, making key advancements in therapeutic peptide development āļø.
Publication Top Notes
1ļøā£ Macrocyclization of Peptide Side Chains by the Ugi Reaction | J. Org. Chem. | š 65 citations | š
2015
2ļøā£ A Multiple Multicomponent Approach to Chimeric PeptideāPeptoid Podands | Chem.āEur. J. | š 63 citations | š
2013
3ļøā£ Aminocatalysis-Mediated on-Resin Ugi Reactions | Org. Lett. | š 47 citations | š
2015
4ļøā£ Bidirectional Macrocyclization of Peptides | Org. Biomol. Chem. | š 40 citations | š
2015
5ļøā£ Helical-Stabilized, Cyclic Peptide Cm-p5 with Antifungal Activity | ACS Omega | š 36 citations | š
2019
6ļøā£ Cm-p5 Peptide Derivatives Inhibit Candida auris Biofilms | Antibiotics | š 33 citations | š
2020
7ļøā£ CuI-Catalyzed AlkyneāAzide Cycloaddition in Peptide Conjugation | Tetrahedron | š 27 citations | š
2014
8ļøā£ New Antibacterial Peptides from Freshwater Mollusk Pomacea poeyana | Biomolecules | š 26 citations | š
2020
9ļøā£ Antimicrobial Peptides: Therapeutic Potential | Rev. Cubana Med. Trop. | š 17 citations | š
2017
š Pom-1 and Pom-2 Peptides Active Against Candida Biofilms | Pathogens | š 16 citations | š
2021