Hi Abril, you are currently completing your Master’s at the Université de Sherbrooke supervised by Prof. Taha Azad. Can you describe your journey that brought you from Mexico to Taha’s lab?
Yes, I am originally from Puerto Vallarta and completed my Bachelor’s in Engineering and Biotechnology in Guadalajara. I had a bit of research experience from doing a co-op program in Mexico, but I knew I wanted to work in research. After I moved to Canada with my partner after college, I met Taha and started my Master’s at Sherbrooke.
You mentioned you had some co-op experience from your undergrad. Was it in a related field to what you are working on currently?
No, it wasn’t related to RNA, it was working with patient samples. I ran qPCR as a cost-effective technique for classifying different variants of cystic fibrosis in patients in Mexico.
Ah, okay. Once you joined Taha’s lab, how did you first learn about D2R? You were funded as a D2R Master’s Scholar last year.
Taha was the one who introduced me to D2R, and I had the opportunity to attend the first D2R Symposium in 2025. I really liked the community – people were really open to collaboration. It has been great for networking! Actually, I just recently got a job from meeting people at the 2026 D2R Symposium.
Really? That’s great!
Yes, I met a couple of representatives from one of the sponsors, RNA Technologies and Therapeutics, and the networking worked because now I have a job lined up there!
Okay, I will definitely ask you more about that later. Have you benefited from being part of the D2R community in other ways?
It has also been great for collaboration. Right now we are collaborating with Anna Blakney and Pieter Cullis at UBC, who we met as part of the D2R network. This collaboration has really benefited my project.
In the photo: Abril Muñoz Zúñiga (first one on the left) with other trainees.
Yes, let’s jump into your project. What does it focus on?
I’m developing self-amplifying RNA therapeutics for applications in cancer. We investigate how different lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations and different RNA designs, like different backbones from different viruses, perform in various cell types. We want to optimize each RNA backbones for future clinical therapeutic applications.
This project seems large in scope – what does it involve and what are your specific contributions?
Everything in vitro I have done myself, making the LNPs, testing them in various cell lines, etc. For the RNA-seq analysis, Zumama in my lab has helped me with graphing the data and for in vivo aspects, Phuong Anh in my group has helped me – she will continue building the in vivo aspects after I leave.
What does a day look for you in the lab?
Well today I need to check my mice. Tumour size, body weight, everything. We do that three times a week. Other days I have the in vitro experiments, making RNA or LNPs or testing them in cells.
What is your timeline for finishing your Master’s?
I will finish in the next couple of months.
In the photo: Abril Muñoz Zúñiga (first one on the right) with other trainees.
Okay, so now you can kind of look back on your experience at UdeS. From your perspective as someone who didn’t grow up in Quebec or Canada, how has that impacted your development as a scientist?
I’m not going to lie, it has been a challenge. Coming into a new country, you need to learn the culture and the language. I have known English since I was young, but it is still my second language. And at UdeS, I had to learn French quickly – courses, interactions, everything is in French. These challenges have made me more resilient, more adaptable, and have opened up my perspective. It has taught me the importance of communication, collaboration, and understanding people’s background. It has made me more empathic.
And you moved here without your Master’s position in place?
Yes, I came here not knowing any French and then I was lucky to find Taha for this opportunity. I feel very proud of myself and happy to have made the move here. In these years I’ve been in Canada, I learned a new language, found new opportunities, and now I have a job. I also now teach indoor cycling in French! Abril of three years ago wouldn’t have believed I could do that.
Back on the job – do you start this Fall?
Yes, I will be starting at RNA T&T this Fall in Montreal! It will be a mix of hands-on in research and other aspects that I am very excited about. I am looking forward to staying in the RNA therapeutics research area.
Good luck! I’m sure it will go well. Thanks for chatting with me today!
Thank you!
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This conversation with D2R Training Program Officer, Anthony Van Kessel, has been edited for length and clarity.
