Dr. Josefina Barrera Cortés is a chemical engineer from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and holds a PhD in chemical engineering from the Université Paris-Nord, LIMHP-CNRS (1996). Barrera Cortés has been an academic for 30 years and has graduated 20 (PhD and master's) students in Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Her current area of research is in bioremediation of polluted soils and biological control of pest insects. Barrera Cortés is a member of the Mexican Society for Biotechnology and Bioengineering and has been distinguished with the Gabino Barreda Medal awarded by UNAM. Barrera Cortés is also a national researcher with the National System of Researchers (2009-2028).