Learning how nature works

During my bachelor's degree in Microbiology, I became fascinated by the idea that microbes exist everywhere and that biology could help solve real-world problems.

Applying science to environmental challenges

I continued my studies in Environmental Engineering and Biotechnology, where I became interested in how microorganisms interact with ecosystems and how scientific research can contribute to solving environmental challenges.

Becoming a researcher

I completed my PhD in Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Oulu, Finland. During this time, I designed experiments, analyzed complex datasets, interpreted ecological patterns, and published scientific research.

Alongside the PhD itself, something unexpected happened. I realized I genuinely enjoyed communicating science. I found myself spending more and more time designing figures, presentations, and visual summaries. Not because I had to, but because I wanted research to be understood as clearly as possible.

After years of freelancing on the side, in 2026 I became an official freelancer under the name Panchita Prieto Science Communication.

Freelance work

Today, I help research groups, science-driven organizations and growing companies communicate scientific ideas through visual communication and storytelling.

My work includes:

  • Scientific presentations

  • Information design

  • Infographics

  • Graphical abstracts

  • Scientific illustrations

  • Communication strategy

  • Websites

  • Branding for research projects

  • Educational animations

From complex to clear, engaging visual communication.

Want to know more about my skills? I coded this interactive diagram for you.

2021-Present

PhD researcher

My PhD is part of the Doctoral Degree Programme in the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering faculty of the University of Oulu in Finland.

Master of Science
degree in Advanced Microbiology

2016-2017

Microbial Biotechnology and Environmental Microbiology major (60 ECTS) at the University of Barcelona in Spain.

I did my bachelor studies (240 ECTS) at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain. In the last year of studies, I decided to specialize in environmental microbiology. Thus, I took courses like Microbial Genomics, Soil Science and Bioreactors among others.

Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology

2012-2016

INTERNSHIPS

RESEARCH VISITS

  • 2023: Research visit to the University of Hannover to work in one of my PhD experiments. Under the supervision of Prof. Marcus Horn.

  • 2022: Arctic Sampling Expedition in Longyearbyen located in the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard.

  • 2019: Field assistant in Bioremediation project in Kittilä, in Finnish Lapland.

  • 2016-2017: Laboratory assistant in the Marine Science Institute (ICM).

  • 2016: Laboratory assistant in the Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI) for Polar and Marine Research.

  • 2015: I worked with Antarctic Yeasts at the Faculty of Science in the University of Chile, Santiago supervised by Prof. Marcelo Baeza.

Map made with Arcgis Sources: Esri, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community. Edited in Adobe Illustrator, CSS and HTML code.