Her main line of research is peripheral and central inflammation underlying neuropshychiatric diseases, such as depression, with focus on assesing immunomodulatory effects of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). She has been in charge of the following research projects: International cooperation program (PCI) REDI170306 “Nutrient sensing at the brain level as a key process for developing new therapies against obesity” (2017-2019). Fondecyt Iniciación 11190914 “Immunomodulatory effect of vitamin Dtreated Tregs on peripheral and central inflammation on murine models of depression”

Dr. Karina Oyarce completed her PhD in Biological Sciencies, celular and molecular biology area, at Universidad de Concepción (Concepción, Chile). Later she undertook a postdoctoral fellowship at Centro de Investigaciones Biomédicas of Universidad de los Andes (Santiago, Chile). Since 2017 she teaches at Universidad San Sebastián (Concepción, Chile) and currently she leads a line of research in neuroimmunology of stress and depression. Other projects in which she participates as a collaborator are: Regulation of food intake in obesity models; Improvement of mensenchymal stem cells properties and Biological characterization of new biomaterials for biomedical applications.

Karina Oyarce has a PhD in in Biological Sciencies, celular and molecular biology area, at Universidad de Concepción (Concepción, Chile). She teaches Modern Microscopy and Molecular Diagnosis I at the Faculty of Medicine and Science, of Universidad San Sebastián. She is also member of the Faculty Research Comitte.