Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña, Infectious Disease Specialist
We verify the medical license of each FindaTopDoc Verified Doctor to ensure that their license is active and they are in good medical standing.

Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña

Infectious Disease Specialist | Infectious Disease

Write A Review

About

17 years’ experience in microbiology, molecular biology and bacterial genetics (bacterial pathogenesis & immunology), 17 years’ experience in food science (foodborne zoonoses), 6 years’ experience in biopharmaceutical industry with a strong interest in large-scale fermentations-industrial microbiology & vaccine production.

Education and Training

McMaster University Postdoctoral Fellowship 2009

Guelph University Doctor of Philosophy 2007

Provider Details

Female English, Spanish 17 years of experience
Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña
Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña's Expert Contributions
  • Blood exposure

    You should not be concerned about this, but I recommend that you contact your health care provider if you have concerns so you discuss the possibility of testing. READ MORE

  • Crushed Medication

    Yes, you can crush them and swallow them if you are unable to swallow them whole (try to use water and not any other liquid as milk or beverages with calcium can interfere with absorption). Ensure they do not say that they are extended release, delayed release, or anything like that (which I do not think is the case with antibiotics). READ MORE

  • Gonorrhoea

    The short answer is No. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and it can be asymptomatic and infected people may not know they have it. This is why it is one of the most commonly transmitted STDs. Dr. Maira Medellin READ MORE

  • HIV Window Period and Results

    If your results have been negative for more than 12 weeks after exposure, and your healthcare practitioner has no inclination that you need more testing, then your symptoms may be due to another non-related viral infection. Please seek medical care if your symptoms last for longer than the expected amount of time. READ MORE

  • Receiving oral sex from someone with genital heroes

    The short answer is yes, although not straightforward as it depends on your sexual partner (i.e., non-monogamous vs. monogamous relationship and if they perform oral sex to for example the person whom they got the genital herpes from). Genital herpes is an STD caused by two types of virus (herpes simplex type 1 and type 2) and there has been a linkage between genital and oral herpes (them being spread through oral sex). You also can get genital herpes from a sex partner who does not have a visible sore or is unaware of the infection. READ MORE

  • HIV Transmission

    Hi, OCD is a complex condition that needs attention. if it is affecting your personal life (that is being in healthy romantic relationships) I recommend seeking a trusted source of support (such as mental health specialists and/or friends and family who educate themselves so they can provide proper support respecting your individuality but not fueling your OCD cycle). Education on what this disorder is about is the best weapon as this is very exhausting and frustrating for you to be dealing with it on your own. I wish you all the best READ MORE

  • Worried

    If your friend is healthy the possibility of infection is minimal, but please contact your healthcare provider if you develop any symptoms or notice any changes. READ MORE

  • is genital hvs-1 transmitted

    Transmission of HSV usually occurs through close contact with a person who is shedding virus at a mucosal or epithelial surface, or in genital or oral secretions. Sexual transmission of HSV-1 can occur through genital-to-genital, oral-to-genital, genital-to-oral, anal-to-genital, and genital-to-anal contact. READ MORE

  • Should I seek rabies treatment?

    I would not worry about rabies, I am more curious about the type of injury to your hand and the condition of the equipment you were moving. For example, if you cut your skin and drew blood and the equipment was dirty or in a place that is exposed to animal feces and you do not have your tetanus vaccine. READ MORE

  • Diarrhea and medication

    If you have diarrhea after antibiotic treatment, I recommend finishing the antibiotics (suffer from diarrhea during this period, try taking food high in fiber to make stools less loose) and once you finish the antibiotic treatment start the high dose of probiotics at least for 2 weeks and continue with normal probiotic dose for at least 3 months. The ingestion of probiotics together with antibiotics is inefficient as probiotics are bacteria and the antibiotics will reduce the amount of live probiotic strains making them useless. READ MORE

  • How long does covid last?

    Every individual take different time to feel better, it will depend on your immune status. READ MORE

  • Covid test?

    Yes READ MORE

  • HPV vaccination?

    According to the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, HPV vaccination is less likely to offer benefits in adults over 26 years of age, given that most of them will already have been infected with HPV. If you were never been infected, there might be an argument to vaccinate. READ MORE

  • COVID-19 Rapid Test vs PCR Test?

    Yes, it seems like you do, both tests can be negative depending on when you test. I would recommend repeating the PCR test to confirm or just waiting the stipulated quarantine time. READ MORE

  • I want another medical personal advice?

    Your ob/gyn prescribed the right amount to treat gonorrhea. It will be safe to retest for STIs (STDs) when symptoms are still occurring. READ MORE

  • How do you know if you have gangrene?

    Hi, Please go get checked by your health care provider as I see the need to be assessed by a professional. Best, READ MORE

  • Covid antibodies?

    There are some instances where antibody testing might be negative for individuals who have had COVID-19 vaccines, this is because the immunity is not the same as in an individual who has contracted the infection. Please consult with your health care provider and start discussing your booster schedules. READ MORE

  • I have a question about the booster shots?

    Rest assured that you did not do anything that will harm you. A booster is always a good choice for this type of vaccine. READ MORE

  • I'm having COVID vaccine (Pfizer) side effects?

    Yes, you should go and get checked by your health care provider. READ MORE

  • Is HPV considered an STD?

    You should definitely go and get tested for HPV and other sexually transmitted infections. The problem with HPV is that you may not show evidence of the infection but the virus can cause cervical and other cancers in the long run. Cancer often takes years, even decades, to develop after a person gets HPV. READ MORE

Areas of expertise and specialization

Bacterial PathogenesisBacterial PhysiologyFoodborne ZoonosesMolecular BiologyMolecular Microbiology

Awards

  • CONACyT Scholarship (2000-2007)   
  • Mary Edmunds Williams Scholarship (2003)   
  • Taffy Davison Memorial Research Grant (2004, 2005 & 2006))   

Treatments

  • Microbiology

Articles and Publications

    • Probiotics Affect Virulence-Related Gene Expression in Escherichia coli O157:H7. 2007. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. http://aem.asm.org/content/73/13/4259
    • Effect of Molecules Secreted by Lactobacillus acidophilus Strain La-5 on Escherichia coli O157:H7 Colonization. 2008. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. http://aem.asm.org/content/75/4/1165
    • Patent PCT/CA2009/000901. ANALYSIS OF LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS LA-5 SIGNAL INTERFERENCE MOLECULES.

What do you attribute your success to?

  • An active, inquisitive mind has propelled her to excellent positions in foodborne zoonoses and multi-drug resistance research. She leads in a positive manner, empowering her staff and co-workers to achieve more. With high ethical standards, she looks for the next challenge in medicine!

Areas of research

    • Bacterial virulence
    • Antibiotic resistance mechanisms
    • multi-drug resistance in pathogens

Philanthropic Initiatives

    • Director, Global legacy Foundation. Helping the 1 in 6 individuals/couples struggling with infertility and loss. Funding fertility procedures, counselling and education. www.glfoundation.ca
    • President, Board of Directors of Nova Children’s Centre. Not-for-Profit children's centre located in my community.
    • Volunteer at Susana Moodie Elementary School helping kindergarten children (4-5 year olds) with literacy and child-initiated activities while on small-group learning centres.
     

Teaching and speaking

    • Talk on interference of quorum sensing regulation of virulence in Escherichia coli O157:H7 by molecules secreted by Lactobacillus acidophilus LA–5. 20th International ICFMH Symposium, food safety and food biotechnology: diversity and global impact. Bologna, Italy, 29 August–02 September 2006.
    • Taught the module on “Serotyping of Escherichia coli O157:H7” sponsored by Health Canada and the Canadian Network for Public Health Intelligence Project. Guelph, ON. Canada. May 2004.
    • Trained graduate students on: Basic microbiology techniques, basic molecular biology techniques and proper use of laboratory equipment (2002-2010).
    • Trained staff on on molecular biology & molecular microbiology techniques and biosafety standards for handling human and terrestrial animal pathogens, prions, and biological toxins.
     

Hobbies / Sports

  • Running, Pilates, Baking

Favorite professional publications

  • Journal of Infectious Diseases

Areas of research

  • Bacterial virulence
  • Antibiotic resistance mechanisms
  • multi-drug resistance in pathogens

Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña's reviews

(0)
Write Review

Recommended Articles

  • What Team of Specialists Should I Contact if I Have Meningitis?

    As complex as it is, meningitis can sometimes be a threat to life. Treating meningitis can be tricky, hence, it needs a team of medical practitioners to make a diagnosis and offer treatment for the condition.  You can call your doctor immediately under the following circumstances:...

  • What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?

    This bacterial disease was first identified in the Rocky Mountains, but is also found in the south eastern part of United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The potentially fatal disease is spread by the bites of wood ticks or dog ticks. Spring and summer seasons see a...

  • Alternative Treatments for Chickenpox

    Chicken pox is a very easily spread disease, and the cause of the disease is the varicella-zoster virus that starts as sore and itchy skin. Besides children, pregnant mothers are at a high risk of acquiring the disease. Usually, the best method in avoiding the contracting of the virus is getting a...

  • Is Lyme Disease Preventable?

    Preventive clothingForests and woodland areas present various dangers, including the possibility of getting bitten by a tick, which can lead to Lyme disease. Thankfully there is a solution to that potential problem, as you can wear appropriate clothing while outside to prevent tick bites.Make sure...

  • What is the Dengue Triad?

    Classified as DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4, there are four types of viruses belonging to one group (Flaviviridae) that are responsible for infecting humans with dengue fever. The route for transmitting the virus from one infected human to another is via the bloodsucking bite of the female...

  • Treating Lyme Disease

    Lyme disease is a nasty infection that can progress to a chronic debilitating disease with life-threatening complications if left untreated.Lyme disease is transmitted through the bite of a four-legged tick, which is also known as the deer tick or the bear tick. The tick has to be in the nymphal...