Biomaterials and Biomacromolecules Research & Technologies Lab (BioMa2RT Lab)
Research
We seek to develop transformative and clinically relevant biomaterials and technologies by harnessing the properties of bio-macromolecules isolated from organ-specific micro-environments.
Educational Outreach Goal
To build an Educational Model for BioMaterials Research (EMBioMaR) in the long-term impacting underrepresented groups in STEM.
Activities
Publications
News
From Research to Industry and Back: Maria del Pilar’s Journey of Growth and Discovery
Maria del Pilar recently returned to the BIOMART lab after completing a one-year co-op rotation at an Abbott manufacturing site in Puerto Rico. Before this experience, she had been an active member of the BIOMART lab for two years, gaining valuable research and laboratory skills. When the opportunity to join the co-op program arose, she…
R&D internship at Eastman
This summer, Javier Caraballo completed an R&D internship at Eastman in the microbiology group. His work centered on studying the biodegradation of cellulose esters, combining hands-on lab research with professional development opportunities.
LRSM REU at the University of Pennsylvania
This summer, Jorelys De Jesus participated in the LRSM REU program at the University of Pennsylvania, working in a research lab focused on developing anti-biofouling surfaces for biomedical microfluidic devices. Her independent project involved testing polymer coatings on membranes to reduce protein and cell adhesion from human plasma. She applied techniques such as contact angle measurement, slip angle analysis, and protein…
NSF/CASIS Award for Space-Based Tissue Engineering Research
We are excited to share that Dr. Maribella Domenech, in collaboration with Dr. Camilo A. Mora, has received a Notice of Award for NSF 25-513: NSF/CASIS Collaboration on Tissue Engineering & Mechanobiology on the International Space Station (ISS) to Benefit Life on Earth. We’re proud to be part of this collaborative effort at UPRM and…
Deisy Jiménez presents at CAMPS 2025 Conference
Graduate student Deisy Jiménez participated in the Conference Across MRSEC-PREM Schools, held at Texas State University. She presented her poster titled:“Engineering Multilayered Bioinstructive Materials with Extracellular Vesicles.” This conference brought together students and researchers from MRSEC and PREM institutions across the country to share their work and foster collaboration in materials science and engineering.
Participating at SelectBIO Extracellular Vesicles & Nanoparticle-Based Therapeutics Conference
Graduate students María José Buendía Otero and Deisy Jiménez presented their research at the SelectBIO Extracellular Vesicles & Nanoparticle-Based Therapeutics Conference in Miami, FL. This event brought together experts in extracellular vesicles, nanoparticles, and translational nanomedicine. During the poster session, they shared their latest findings on matrix-bound vesicles (MBVs) and their applications in regenerative medicine: Poster Presentations: We’re proud of their…
Jorelys De Jesus selected for LRSM REU at the University of Pennsylvania
Congratulations to Jorelys De Jesus on being selected to participate in the 2025 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the University of Pennsylvania’s Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter (LRSM)! This highly competitive summer research fellowship provides undergraduates with hands-on experience in materials science, physics, chemistry, and related fields. Jorelys is one of up to twenty fellows selected nationwide…
Summer 2025: Javier Caraballo heads to Eastman Chemical for R&D Internship
Javier will be joining Eastman Chemical Company in Kingsport, Tennessee, as a Research & Development Intern during the summer of 2025. This 12-week internship offers valuable industry experience and supports his long-term goals in biotechnology.
P-BOX Bioinspired Engineering Camp
We were excited to collaborate in the P-BOX (Pre-Engineering in a Box) one-day camp focused on Bioinspired Engineering! This outreach activity introduced junior high school students (7th–9th grade) to the field of bioengineering through interactive, hands-on workshops. Sessions throughout the day explored: Thank you to all the organizers, students, and mentors who made this day…
Javier Caraballo selected as Promega DOORS Scholar
In Spring 2024, Javier Caraballo was selected as a scholar for the Promega D.O.O.R.S. (Diversification Of Our Research Scientists) program. The initiative aims to support underrepresented students in biotechnology-related fields. As part of the program, Javier participated in professional development workshops, received mentorship, and presented his undergraduate research on tissue decellularization at Promega’s headquarters in…
María José Buendía at the Precision-Based Healthcare Symposium
Graduate student María José Buendía Otero represented our lab at the Symposium for Advancing Precision-Based, Integrative, and Individualized Healthcare in Puerto Rico, organized by the Puerto Rico Science Trust. María José presented her poster titled:“Development of Aerosolizable Extracellular Matrix Formulations with Antimicrobial Properties and LPS-Induced Inflammasome Modulation.” We’re proud to see our lab contributing to…
Empowering Future Scientists at “El Poder de la Mujer en las Ciencias”
The BioMaRT Lab participated in the 6th annual El Poder de la Mujer en las Ciencias Symposium at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. Our team led interactive workshops for students on Creating RNA Vaccines, featuring hands-on experiments with Lipid Nanoparticles and Microfluidic Devices. We also hosted demonstration tables showcasing how extracellular vesicles (EVs) travel through the extracellular matrix (ECM), among other engaging…
Our work and results are supported by multiple agencies
