About me

Belén Pacheco, Ph.D in Biochemistry and Structural Biology

Hola! I’m Belén

I am a passionate science visual communicator dedicated to making complex scientific ideas accessible and engaging.

With a background in Biochemistry and Structural Biology, I specialize in creating visually stunning graphics that bring your research to life.

I combine my scientific expertise with a solid foundation in traditional visual art forms, such as watercolor, ink, and graphite, alongside advanced skills in graphic design.

Whether you’re looking to enhance your communication skills or need custom illustrations, I’m here to help you make your research have a lasting impact.

Check out my work

My Mission

To transform complex scientific concepts into beautiful and impactful visual narratives that inspire and communicate.

Core Values

Pursuit of Beauty and Excellence

Every piece of scientific art I create is crafted with a dedication to beauty and the highest standards of excellence.

Love

I love what I do, and my passion for science and art drives me to deliver impactful visual communication.

Empathy

I put myself in your shoes to truly understand your needs and help you convey your scientific story effectively.

Integrity

Honest and ethical practices guide my work, ensuring that your science is communicated with accuracy and authenticity.

Collaboration

I believe in working closely with my clients, combining my expertise with your insights to create visuals that truly represent your research.

Continuous Learning

I believe in the power of continuous learning, constantly expanding my knowledge and skills to provide tailored-made services.

Awards & Recognitions

Rabitsch Award 2024

for the most outstanding scientific discovery made by a PhD student.

Life Sciences PhD Awards
Austria 2024

in the category Basic Research – First Place

Selected to represent Vienna BioCenter

in organizing the 2023 Graduate Life Sciences Symposium in collaboration with the MRC-LMB in Cambridge, UK, 2023.

Recipient of the Best Oral Communication Award

FEBS 3+ Meeting, 2022.

Research

In 2023, I earned a PhD in Biochemistry and Structural Biology at the IMP in Vienna, where I worked in the lab of Dr. Clemens Plaschka. There, I was captivated by this compelling question: how do cells select the correct mRNAs for export while accommodating the vast array of 20,000 genes in the human genome, considering that eukaryotic gene expression is separated by two cellular compartments?

In Clemens’ lab, I used Biochemistry and Cryo-EM to lead us to the discovery that mRNA recognition mechanisms and three-dimensional organization are highly intertwined. Our insights challenged the textbook view of gene expression by reshaping our understanding of mRNA — from a loose string to a compact globule. This paradigm shift introduced previously overlooked concepts such as surfaces, layers, and volumes, influencing how we approach questions about mRNA biogenesis, transport, and decay.

I am currently a Senior Research Assistant at IMBA in Vienna, in the lab of Dr. Alejandro Burga, where I am studying Toxin-Antidote elements in C. elegans.

Publications

Hohmann U, Graf M, Schellhaas U, Pacheco-Fiallos B, Fin L, Riabov-Bassat D, Pühringer T, Szalay M-F, Tirian L, Handler D, Brennecke J, Plaschka C (2024). BioRxiv (under revision in Nature). 2024 March. A molecular switch orchestrates the nuclear export of human messenger RNA. 10.1101/2024.03.24.586400.
Pacheco-Fiallos B*, Vorländer MK*, Riabov-Bassat D, Fin L, O’Reilly FJ, Ayala FI, Schellhaas U, Rappsilber J, Plaschka C. mRNA recognition and packaging by the human transcription-export complex. Nature. 2023 Apr; 616(7958):828-835. doi: 10.1038/s41586-023-05904-0. Epub 2023 Apr 5. PMID: 37020021.
Vorländer MK, Pacheco-Fiallos B, Plaschka C. Structural basis of mRNA maturation: Time to put it together. Curr Opin Struct Biol. 2022 Aug; 75:102431. doi: 10.1016/j.sbi.2022.102431. Epub 2022 Aug 2. PMID: 35930970.
Pühringer T, Hohmann U, Fin L, Pacheco-Fiallos B, Schellhaas U, Brennecke J, Plaschka C. Structure of the human core transcription-export complex reveals a hub for multivalent interactions. Elife. 2020 Nov 16;9: e61503. doi: 10.7554/eLife.61503. PMID: 33191911; PMCID: PMC7744094.

Where am I based?

I am originally from the sunny Nicaragua, but live in Vienna, Austria at the heart of Europe.