CFD Team Spotlight: Yanina Nahum, Postdoctoral Associate
The Newsletter Team sat down for an interview with one of our postdoctoral associates, Yanina Nahum, for an interview about her work, passions, hobbies, and special CFD projects. The transcript of our interview is below.
CFD Team: Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but I moved to the U.S. in 2018 with my husband and our dog to start my PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of Notre Dame. Transitioning from a big city to a small town in Indiana was a bit challenging at first, but the community I found there turned out to be such a blessing.
I have a background in microbiology and environmental engineering, and my work focuses on antimicrobial resistance—basically when pathogens survive antibiotic treatments and make them inefficient. I specialize in biofilms, which are groups of microorganisms that stick together and can be extremely resistant to antimicrobials. My current research has a central focus on vulnerable settings, like refugee camps or migrant shelters. We are starting a project on this matter in the US-Mexico border, hoping to find the most relevant and resistant pathogens affecting these areas. The goal is to help develop better policies, improve quality of life, and slow the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
CFD Team: What is your role within the Center?
I am a postdoctoral researcher at the CFD, and work on several multidisciplinary projects in the center.
CFD Team: What experiences most directly led you to your role with the Center?
During my PhD, I worked with different microorganisms, some from the environment and others that are clinically important. This really opened my eyes to how serious antimicrobial resistance is, not just for us now but for future generations, especially in vulnerable communities. That’s what sparked my interest in working with refugees and other vulnerable communities.
CFD Team: What inspires you about this work?
Even though I have done important research in the past, most of it involved working with bacteria in the lab. The current projects inspire me especially because they let me connect directly with people and see the real-world impact of my work.
CFD Team: Tell us about some of your passions and hobbies outside of academia. What makes you, you?
Gardening and cooking are two of my favorite hobbies. Before I moved here, I had a kitchen garden in my backyard where I grew my own veggies and fruits, which I loved using to make delicious, home-cooked meals. I hope to grow more plants next year in a community garden by my house. I also enjoy walking around the city with my family and our dog, and my house is filled with pottery pieces I have made myself.
CFD Team: Where do you see yourself in five years?
That’s a tough question! I really love working in the lab, so I can see myself as a senior researcher, either in academia or in an industry setting.
CFD Team: What is your current passion project with the Center you would like to highlight? Why does this project resonate with you?
I have only been at the Center for a few months, since I started in June 2024, but I am really excited about the chance to visit shelters at the US-Mexico border and talk with migrants about the challenges they face in getting healthcare. Connecting their stories to the development of antimicrobial resistance in the area will definitely help us work on better policies to improve their quality of life.
CFD Team: Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself/can you tell us about something you’re proud of?
About 10 years ago, my husband and I visited Boston on vacation while we were still living in Argentina. We instantly fell in love with the city and promised ourselves that one day we would move here. This was long before I even thought about doing a PhD in the U.S. I’m really proud that we stuck to that promise and made it happen!