Farja Ayala Muñoz

How was your path to a PhD?

My journey towards a PhD started with my chemistry bachelor's at the National University of Colombia. After that, I was fortunate to receive a scholarship for a Master's in natural products research, focusing on cyanobacteria. Despite working in underfunded conditions, I definitely learned a lot — and even had the opportunity to participate in a research trip to Germany and an internship in the USA. Following my Master's degree, I was unemployed for eight months before securing jobs in various fields — from lecturing at the university to regulatory affairs in the government, often balancing two roles simultaneously. At one point I decided to pursue a PhD, motivated by what I like to do most: problem solving. Research, for me, is like piecing together a puzzle, first finding the pieces and then assembling the big picture step by step. This led me to join Clemens Plaschka's group at the Vienna BioCenter. 

What does your lab do?

The Plaschka lab focuses on the molecular mechanisms of gene expression, particularly how messenger RNA — or mRNA — is produced,  processed and exported from the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. We study the maturation of precursor mRNA in the nucleus, including critical steps like splicing, which involves the removal of non-coding regions by the spliceosome — a complex molecular editor. We are interested in how these maturation steps are coordinated and how mature mRNA is recognised and exported to the cytoplasm. Using biochemistry, biophysics and cryo-electron microscopy, we investigate the structures and functions of the complexes involved in these processes to understand the mechanistic details. In brief, we take a  high resolution look at these biological processes.

What’s your favourite aspect about this research?

Structural biology fascinates me because it combines the understanding of fundamental biological processes with high-resolution insights into how structural changes regulate biological functions in the cell — a lot of fun for someone with a background in chemistry. Clemens's group was a perfect fit for me because in his lab we maintain a balance between structural and functional approaches.

What was your PhD about?

For my PhD, I focused on understanding how the export factor NXF1 selectively transports quality-controlled mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. I aimed to clarify the mechanisms behind its selective loading of mRNAs, examining it from a structural perspective. During my research, I discovered a new interaction that had been proposed in the literature but never tested in vitro. I provided evidence of a direct protein-protein interaction and identified specific interaction surfaces involved. Although we made significant progress, a complete understanding of this process is lacking, and it remains an important area for future research.

And what was the most rewarding aspect of taking part in this research?

One of the most rewarding aspects of participating in this research was doing it in the Plaschka lab, which has addressed so many open questions in the field, especially regarding mRNA export and splicing. Over the past five years, our lab has made significant contributions that advanced knowledge in mRNA processing and export, and being a part of this collaborative and pioneering work has been incredibly fulfilling. It’s truly a group effort here, with everyone contributing to figuring out different pieces of the puzzle.

And you recently defended your thesis now what's next for you?

I've been considering my options, and I'm leaning towards transitioning into industry. While academic research is often fascinating and offers great opportunities such as contributing to our fundamental knowledge, I'm drawn to roles where I can see more tangible impacts on society or in industrial developments. I envision myself in a position that bridges research insights with practical applications — like identifying solutions for specific industrial challenges and implementing new discoveries within a company. I believe my critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and networking abilities could make me effective in this field. I'm open to exploring what industry has to offer, but I want to stay in a creative and challenging environment similar to research.

What kind of job do you see yourself in?

I am open to different kinds of opportunities. My goal is to translate scientific findings into industrial development — whether it's scaling up processes or integrating them into products. I'm drawn to this direction because I enjoy bridging the gap between research and practical applications. At the moment, I am exploring different career paths and my aim is finding a position that involves  what excites me the most: scientific challenges and creative solutions. In addition, I would like to combine my chemical background and my expertise in biochemistry, and therefore I think opportunities in the pharma Industry offer interesting paths to follow.

How would you describe yourself?

I'd describe myself with the words my supervisor used during my thesis defence. He called me 'fearless', because I'm not afraid of challenges. I took a big leap pursuing my PhD and succeeded. 'Resilient' fits me well too; I've worked hard to develop that quality. I admit I can also be quite stubborn, but it drives me to achieve my goals. And “energetic”,  I'm known as a hard worker, and I bring a lot of energy to everything I do. These qualities define me both personally and professionally.

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Interested in Farja’s profile? Contact her at farja.ayala.munoz[at]imp.ac.at or linkedin.com/in/farja-isabel-ayala-munoz