Dr. Martinez-Sobrido obtained his B.S. in Biological Sciences at Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona (Spain). Dr. Martinez-Sobrido was awarded the Ph.D. in Virology and Molecular Biology at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Spain). Dr. Martinez-Sobrido received his post-doctoral training at Mound Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA). In 2008 Dr. Martinez-Sobrido was appointed Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at University of Rochester Medical Center in New York (USA). Currently, Dr. Martinez-Sobrido is Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at University of Rochester Medical Center in New York (USA) and External Professor at the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan in Merida (Mexico).

Dr. Martinez-Sobrido’s research interest has been focused on the molecular biology, immunology, and pathogenesis of negative-stranded (Influenza viruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human Metapneumovirus, arenavirus, Thogoto virus, Ebola virus, Crimean Congo Hemorrhagic Fever virus) and positive-stranded (Dengue virus, SARS coronavirus, Mouse Hepatitis virus) RNA and DNA (vaccinia) viruses. Dr. Martinez-Sobrido has extensive knowledge in the reverse genetics techniques for rescuing RNA viruses, pioneered the development of techniques and screening assays to identify viral-encoded interferon antagonist proteins, and established new molecular biology approaches to study highly pathogenic viruses without the requirement of special biosafety conditions. Dr. Martinez-Sobrido contributions to the infectious disease field include, among others, 1) plasmid-based reverse genetics techniques to genetically manipulate RNA viruses that have been used to examine virus-host interactions and the development of vaccines; 2) plasmid, virus and cellular based assays for the identification of virus-encoded interferon-antagonist proteins that have been used to uncover molecular mechanisms involved in viral pathogenesis; and, 3) single-cycle infectious influenza and arenaviruses to study highly pathogenic members in these virus families without the requirement of special biosafety conditions. Dr. Martinez-Sobrido current research focuses on understanding the molecular determinants of viral pathogenesis, how viruses interact with their hosts, and to identify new antivirals and vaccines to prevent viral infections.