Селайя Лилиана С

I am a Researcher at the National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina (CONICET) and a faculty member at the National University of Misiones (UNaM), where I teach undergraduate and postgraduate courses. I hold a degree in Chemical Engineering (2007) and a Master’s in Food Technology (2013) from UNaM, and completed my Ph.D. in Food Sciences (2017) at the National University of Jujuy, Argentina.

My research focuses on the extraction and purification of steviol glycosides and phenolic compouds, phytochemical characterization, biological activity evaluation, and the development of functional ingredients and bioactive compounds for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. I also work on essential oils and other plant-based compounds.

I lead a research group at UNaM that works across three core areas: (1) extraction, purification, and characterization of steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana (2) product development, focused on functional ingredients and value-added applications of stevia in food and pharmaceutical formulations; and (3) plant biotechnology, with emphasis on the vegetative propagation of Stevia rebaudiana.

Since 2007, I have participated in over 20 research and technology transfer projects and have supervised or co-supervised more than 40 undergraduate and graduate students. Between 2007 and 2011, I served as an assistant researcher at UNaM’s Central Laboratory. From 2012 to 2020, I contributed as a doctoral and postdoctoral fellow. Since 2020, I have led research projects as a principal investigator and, since 2021, I serve as a CONICET career researcher.

I currently head the Steviol Glycosides and Phytochemicals Analysis Service at UNaM’s Central Laboratory and have provided consultancy, technical audits, and training in stevia characterization. I have authored more than 20 peer-reviewed scientific publications and have presented my work at national and international conferences. I have reviewed over 200 manuscripts for international journals published by Elsevier, Springer Nature, Wiley, MDPI, and other editorial houses.