Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Pedro de Alba Ciudad Universitaria, Nuevo León, Mexico.

Prof. Barrera‐Saldana holds a Bachelor´s degree in Biology (UANL, 1979), a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences (UTHSC, Houston, 1982), postdoctoral training (LGME‐CNRS, Strasbourg, France, 1984) and specialization in Science and Technology Commercialization (IC² Institute‐UT‐Austin, 1999).

In Latin America he pioneered research with human genes for Mendelian diseases and cancer diagnosis, clinical trials on cancer (gene therapy), and pharmacogenomics. He is recognized worldwide (profiled by Nature Medicine in 2003) for the regulation, evolution, dysfunction, biotechnological use, and first application of large‐scale sequencing (considered evidence for the Human Genome Project feasibility) of growth hormone genes.

He has founded several Mexican leading research centres, biotech enterprises, and graduate programs. He is a member of many national and international scientific societies, and author of 200 peer‐reviewed research articles with over 3000 citations, of two books, of two biotechnology patents, and of several technology transfers to industry.