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Graduate Faculty and their Research Interests María A. Aponte Professor, PhD, University of Florida, 1982. m_aponte@rumac.uprm.edu Development of bacterial polymers as biodegradable materials; biodegradable polymers for controlled release technology. Mayra E. Cádiz Professor, PhD, University of Puerto Rico, 1985. m_cadiz@rumac.uprm.edu Synthesis of derivatives of cisplatin; synthesis and interaction of platinum drugs with DNA; synthesis of metal complexes as potential antitumor compounds. Arnaldo Carrasquillo Assistant Professor, PhD, Texas A&M, 1995. carrasquillo@rumac.uprm.edu Research efforts are aimed at understanding the role played by electrode surface composition and structure in determining and controlling the electrochemical reactivity of species present at electrode-solution interfaces. Current research projects study fundamental aspects of electrocatalysis and of biosensor technologies. The studies combine the use of XPS, AES, LEDD, TDMS, Thin – Layer and classical electrochemical. Miguel E. Castro Associate Professor, PhD, University of Texas at Austin, 1991. miguel_castro99@hotmail.com Synthesis and characterization of electronic materials; application of heterogeneous catalysis to drug synthesis; time-resolved mass and infrared spectroscopy; time-of-flight measurements of oriented molecules. José E. Cortés-Figueroa Professor, PhD, University of North Texas, 1989. j_cortes@rumac.uprm.edu Synthesis and characterization of fullerene – transition metal complexes. Electronic and geometric structure of fullerene – transition metal complexes and the relationship of their structure with the complexes chemical reactivities. Integration of high school biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics using calculator-based laboratory technology. Astrid J. Cruz Associate Professor, PhD, University of Massachusetts, 1993. a_cruz@rumac.uprm.edu Theoretical studies of molecular scattering phenomena by means of wave packets and fast Fourier transform techniques. Quantum finite temperature studies of molecule-surface energy transfer processes. Maritza de Jesús Associate Professor, MS, University of Puerto Rico, 1984. M_J_Echevarria@hotmail.com Optimization of CG-MS and CG-FID tropical analysis of thermally labile essential oils in plants. Development of the right analytical methodology as a fundamental prerequisite to assess the biosynthetic capacity of plant cells and tissues cultured in vitro. Methods developments of the analysis of samples of environmental origin. Emilio Díaz Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1986. e_diaz@rumac.uprm.edu Isolation and characterization of oxidative enzymes from fungi; study of role of oxidative enzyme on fungal pathogenicity. Isolation and inhibition studies of Histidine Decarboxylase from microorganisms which contaminate fish and dairy products. Study of the effects of antioxidants on the development of rancidity in frozen Tilapia. Samuel P. Hernández Professor, PhD, John Hopkins University, 1986. s_hernandez@rumac.uprm.edu Molecular Spectroscopy of crossed molecular beams and jets; Laser-Raman and surface enhanced Raman Spectroscopy of biomolecules and their interactions with heavy metal ions and carcinogenic compounds; molecular spectroscopy of coordination compounds, superconductors, and explosives; theoretical calculations correlating measured spectroscopic properties. Aidalú de los A. Joubert Assistant Professor, PhD, Washington State University, Pullman, 1998 a_joubert@rumac.uprm.edu Evaluation of Liquid Chromatography - Particle Beam Mass spectrometry as a technique for the analysis of vanadyl geoporphyrins. Jorge Laboy Associate Professor, PhD, University of Cincinnati, 1993. j_laboy@rumac.uprm.edu Work on my laboratory focuses on mid – infrared FTIR spectroscopy of transient species and reaction intermediates, mainly radicals using Matrix-isolation. We are also interested in photochemical reactions and reactions dealing with semiconductor materials. Juan López-Garriga Professor, PhD, Michigan State University, 1986. SONW@caribe.net Research
interest: Structure and function relationships in hemeproteins, like the unique
hemoglobin I from Lucina pectinata. For
example, using “site directed mutagenesis” we tailor the structure of this
hemoglobin. Its chemical structure
is then studied by Fourier Transform infrared, resonance Raman vibrational
analysis, and NMR spectroscopies. This is followed by the kinetic study of the
reaction between hemoglobin and ligands (for example, O2, CO, NO, and
H2S) using
time – resolved (pump and probe) infrared and resonance Raman techniques.
Ultrafast geminate chemical dynamics are studied also in our laboratory
using time - resolved (pump and probe) picosecond and femtosecond spectroscopy. Education Interest: Development and implementation of a coherent link between pre-college education and the University (K-12 Outreach Programs University Science Programs). To accomplish this goal I developed the Science Shows and GLOBE programs in Puerto Rico. Gustavo López Professor, PhD, University of Massachusetts, 1992. g_lopez@rumac.uprm.edu Classical and path integral quantum Monte Carlo simulations of the thermodynamic properties of condensed matter systems; ab-initio calculations of weakly bound systems. Enrique Meléndez Associate Professor, PhD, University of Utah, 1990. e_melendez@rumac.uprm.edu Synthesis, kinetics and metal- DNA Interactions of Titanocenes. Bonding and Reactivity of Transition Metal Diene Complexes. Nairmen Mina Associate Professor, PhD, Baylor University, 1996. n_mina@rumac.uprm.edu FT-IR, near IR, VIS and photoacoustic spectroscopy of organic compounds at cryogenic temperatures. Chemical Kinetics and Spectroscopy of CRC’s. Luis A. Morell Associate Professor, PhD, University of California, Riverside, 1993. lu_morell@rumac.uprm.edu Organic Synthesis and development of hetero Diels-Alder Reaction. Conformational analysis of sugar derivatives. Elsie I. Parés Matos Assistant Professor, PhD, Purdue University, 2000. ei_pares@rumac.uprm.edu Regulation of gene expression by DNA-protein and protein-protein interactions. Associate Professor, PhD, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 1995. Post – Doc Mayo Clinic 1996. be_pastrana@rumac.uprm.edu Use of recombinant DNA Technology to express proteins for the biophysical study of protein-peptide and protein-ligand interactions. Molecular Modeling studies of Biological Molecules. Assistant Professor, PhD, Purdue University, 1997. f_patron@rumac.uprm.edu Chemistry education research on the teaching and learning of chemistry, with particular interest in physical chemistry. Doris Ramírez-Soto Professor, PhD, Rutgers University, 1989. do_ramirez@rumac.uprm.edu Characterization of the glycan unit of plant glycoproteins; Isolation and Characterization of toxin(s) from R.phaseoli; Isolation and characterization of gibberilins in coffee. César Reyes Professor, PhD, University, of Ottawa, 1969. c_reyes@rumac.uprm.edu Lectins as defense proteins in plants. Robert Ríos Associate Professor, PhD, Rutgers University, New Jersey, 1995. r_rios@rumac.uprm.edu Organic Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry. Chemotherapeutic approach to the treatment of tumors and the chemistry involved in the synthesis of those ligands. Methodology development for the synthesis of useful intermediates to be used in the construction of novel chemotherapeutic drug. Jorge L. Ríos-Steiner Associate Professor, PhD, University of Puerto Rico, 1991. The analyses and structural studies of macromolecules, natural products, organic and inorganic molecules, utilizing X-ray crystallography as the main analytical tool. The primary targets will be proteins, inhibitor-protein and protein-protein complexes, involved in the complex blood coagulation process. Proteins and complexes of other cell signaling and metabolic processes, will be studied as well. The aim is to study their mechanism(s) of action and structural/activity relationships, based on the X-ray model obtained. Molecules are crystallized; data is collected and analyzed; and the structure is modeled into the electron density maps and finally analyzed in detail. Luis A. Rivera Associate Researcher, PhD, University of Puerto Rico, 1990. lu_rivera@rumac.uprm.edu
Synthesis, spectroscopic studies and theoretical correlations of
heterocyclic and substituted polycyclic aromatic compounds with potential
activity. Analytical method
development for trace detection of energetic compounds.
Thermal stability studies of substituted polycarbonates, polyesters and
other polymeric substances with potential applications as insulation materials
in aircrafts. Professor, PhD, University of Florida, 1981. c_robledo@rumac.uprm.edu Synthesis of oligopeptides containing one or more aromatic amino acids; study of small molecule-nucleic acid interactions; synthesis of oligopeptides with unusual amino acids, synthesis of oligopeptide analogs. Lolita Rodríguez Associate Professor, MS, University of Puerto Rico, 1985. lo_rodriguez@rumac.uprm.edu In vitro evaluation of decoctions from plants of reputed ethnopharmaceutical activity to treat kidney stones disease. The project includes measurements of free and complex Ca+2 in solution, dissolution of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate by plant decoctions, and inhibition of crystal or stone growth by plant extracts. Manuel Rodríguez-Flores Professor, PhD, University of Florida, 1968. ml_rodriguez@rumac.uprm.edu
Applications of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and FT-IR
spectroscopy to the development of methods for the analysis of samples of
environmental origin (e.g., air, water, soil); and, for the characterization of
the constituents of the flavor and aroma of tropical fruits. Félix R. Román Professor, PhD, University of Nebraska, 1989. r_roman@rumac.uprm.edu Development of analytical methods for the determination of trace levels of metals and pesticides in biological and environmental matrices. Rodolfo
Romañach Associate Professor, PhD, University of Georgia, 1986. rromanac@hotmail.com Development of near infrared spectroscopic methods for use in the pharmaceutical industry. Development of analytical methods to study interactions between excipients in solid oral dosage forms and tablet surfaces. Continuing Education and Professional/Personal Development of Chemists, and use of polarized light microscopy in chemical education. Ismael Scott Professor, PhD, University of Florida, 1985. i_scott@rumac.uprm.edu Infrared and Laser-Raman spectroscopic studies of RNA and DNA bases, including both experimental and theoretical work; toxicologic and environmental effects of chemicals. Fernando A. Souto Professor, PhD, University of Alberta, 1978. f_souto@rumac.uprm.edu Association of organic dyes in solution, equilibrium polymerization, electronic absorption and emission spectra, excitation energy transfer, photochemistry of alkaloids N-oxides, amperometric glucose biosensor, solid-state impedance immunological biosensors. In addition, there is ongoing work with Lippia dulcis Trey: Formation and growth in tissue culture; initiation, growth and viability of calli and cell suspension cultures; production and biosynthesis of terpenes and terpenoids by in vitro cell cultures. Carmen A. Vega Professor, PhD, University of Florida, 1975. c_vega@rumac.uprm.edu Thermodynamics of solutions. Electrochemistry and spectroscopy. HPLC studies of limits of detection of drugs in physiological fluids. Studies of the interaction of Pt drugs with amino acids and DNA. Marisol Vera Professor, PhD, Purdue University, 1986. m_vera@rumac.uprm.edu Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy: Characterization of oligonucleotide structures and small molecule-nucleic acid complexes by NMR; analytical applications of multinuclear NMR; analytical instrumentation. Evaluation of pesticides in soils amended with compost. René S. Vieta Professor, PhD, Texas A&M University, 1984. r_vieta@rumac.uprm.edu Synthetic and mass spectrometry studies of saturated nitrogen heterocycles. Mechanisms of oxazoline formation. Synthesis of diamines that are precursors of cyclic ureas. |