Saacnicteh Toledo-Patino

Molecular Bioengineering Lab

Saacnicteh is a structural biochemist studying how proteins evolve from simple peptides into sophisticated nanomachines that sustain life. Her research integrates protein engineering, structural biology, and computational biology to design proteins with electron transfer and photoactive capabilities to drive innovations in sustainable catalysis and energy solutions.

Discover more about our research and opportunities to join us!

Experience

2024 - present	Buribushi Fellow, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Molecular BioEngineering
2023 - 2024	IPSF interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellow, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
2019 - 2023	Postdoctoral researcher, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
2014 - 2019	Ph.D. in Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biology Protein Evolution Department
2014 -2014	Diploma in Biochemistry, University of Tübingen Biochemistry Department

Awards

2025	KAKENHI Early Career Research Grant
2024	The Global Bioconvergence Center of Innovation COI-NEXT Early Career Grant
	Buribushi Fellowship
	Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholar Fellowship
	Protein Society Diversity and Inclusion
	Runner-up for the Best AI Solution for Protein Engineering (AI4PD Hackathon)
2022	IWATANI Science and Technology Research Grant
	Rita Colwell Impact Fund Award for the Advance of Women in Science
	Protein Society Annual Symposium Travel Award
2021	Best Speed Presentation Award at RAM
2016	Best Poster Presentation at the 67th Mosbacher Colloquium
2015	Best Oral Presentation \| Frontiers in Protein Folding, Evolution, and Function
2013	PhD Fellowship in Biological Sciences of the Max Planck Society

Invited talks

2025	OIST-KEIO SHOWCASE TALK Series 7- Science meets Society (Japan)
2025	OIST x JST Act-X joint mini-symposium "Life and Chemistry" (Japan)
2024	Computational Protein Engineering for Sustainable Energy (Mexico)
2022	Protein Society Annual Symposium (USA)
2021	Protein Evolution Workshop (virtual)
2015	Frontiers in Protein Folding, Evolution, and Function (Mexico)
2014	Bad Boll meeting for Protein Sciences (Germany)