Dr. Pedro O. Quintero Aguiló specializes in advanced manufacturing and electronic packaging. His research focuses on the reliability and thermal management for power electronics. By bridging materials science with aerospace and agriculture, he advances sustainable mechanical solutions and industrial productivity through specialized manufacturing and electronic system design.
Our Researchers
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Quintero Aguilo, Pedro
Mechanical Engineering
Research interests
- Micro-scale engineering
- Microelectronics
- Electronics packaging
- Solder Process
About
Contact Info
Email: pedro.quintero@upr.edu
Office: L-209
Phone: (787) 832-4040 Ext. 5971
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Guerrero, M., Ozdemir, O., Zhu, N., Allison, P., Jordon, B., & Quintero, P. (2025). Bonding mechanism of cold gas-sprayed copper particles onto aluminum nitride substrates for power electronics packaging. IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology. Publicación anticipada en línea. https://doi.org/10.1109/TCPMT.2025.3564520
Guerrero-Fernandez, M., Quintero, P., & Ozdemir, O. C. (2024). Cold gas spraying copper metal on AlN ceramics as an alternative to thick direct bond copper substrates for power electronics. Journal of Electronic Packaging, 146(4), Artículo 041107. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4065943
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Resto Irizarry, Pedro
Mechanical Engineering
Research interests
- Microfluidic devices for biomedical applications
- Drug screening tools
- Inertial cell sorting systems
- Bacterial concentration via dielectrophoresis
About
Dr. Pedro J. Resto Irizarry specializes in microfluidics and biosensors, focusing on point-of-care pathogen detection. His research advances DNA and enzymatic approaches for environmental and animal health using Raman spectroscopy and laser-scribed graphene. His work on portable diagnostics and water safety sensors has led to multiple patent submissions.
Contact Info
Email: pedroj.resto@upr.edu
Office: L-210
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 3777
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Feliciano Crespo, R., Echeverría Altamar, K., Resto Irizarry, P., & Suleiman, D. (2026). Surface modification of gold screen-printed electrodes with a sulfonated polymer for improved electrochemical detection of cardiac troponin I. ACS Omega, 11(8), 13000–13007. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.5c05542
Echeverría-Altamar, K., Barreto-Gamarra, C., Domenech-García, M., & Resto-Irizarry, P. (2025). Prediction of cardiac differentiation in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte supernatant using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and machine learning. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 283, Artículo 117528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2025.117528
Saavedra-Ruiz, A., & Resto-Irizarry, P. J. (2025). A Portable UV-LED/RGB Sensor for Real-Time Bacteriological Water Quality Monitoring Using ML-Based MPN Estimation. Biosensors, 15(5), 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/bios15050284
Rivera González, Orlando
Mechanical Engineering
Research interests
- Atmospheric water harvesting
- Heat transfer
- Aerospace systems
About
Orlando G. Rivera González specializes in thermal-fluid sciences, focusing on radiative cooling coatings and atmospheric water harvesting. His research advances heat and mass transfer models to optimize tunable wettability and condensation dynamics. He bridges aerospace systems analysis with innovative materials to develop sustainable thermal management solutions.
Contact Info
Email: orlando.rivera55@upr.edu
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext.
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Aljwirah, A. K., Liu, X., Rivera Gonzalez, O., Alhammadi, K., Lee, W.-J., Katsamba, I., & Ruan, X. (2025). Water-based hydrophobic paints for daytime radiative cooling. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 17(22), 32914–32927. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.5c05687
Barber, E., Feng, D., Fang, Z., Carne, D., Gonzalez, O. R., Lee, W.-J., Vansal, N., Raykova, K., & Ruan, X. (2025). Efficient, hydrophobic, and weather-resistant radiative cooling paints with silicone-based binders. ACS Applied Optical Materials, 3(5), 1137–1144. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaom.5c00079
Feng, D., Witty, A. S., Birnbaum, F. I., Rivera Gonzalez, O. G., Felicelli, A., Lee, W.-J., Barber, E. C., & Ruan, X. (2025). Self-stratifying colored radiative cooling paints through narrow-band color preservation scheme. Advanced Materials, 37(43), Artículo e04382. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202504382
Rodríguez Abudo, Sylvia
Engineering sciences and materials
Research interests
- Fluid mechanics
- Coastal boundary layers
- Coastal engineering
- Sediment transport
- Turbulence
About
CAREER Awardee Dr. Sylvia Rodriguez-Abudo specializes in experimental fluid mechanics and coastal physical oceanography, focusing on boundary layer processes. Her research advances the understanding of sediment transport, water quality, and wave energy dissipation. She combines laboratory observations, numerical modeling and field data to enhance infrastructure resilience and coastal environmental management. Currently is the Associate Dean for Research, Innovation & Graduate Studies for the College of Engineering.
Contact Info
Email: rodriguez.abudo@upr.edu
Office: S-323
Website: https://www.rodriguezabudo.com/
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Ciri, U., Rodríguez-Abudo, S., & Leonardi, S. (2024). Comparison between shear-driven and pressure-driven oscillatory flows over ripples. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 998, Artículo A42. https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2024.931
Vargas-Martinez, J. C., & Rodríguez-Abudo, S. (2024). Simultaneous velocity and concentration measurements over a rippled boundary subjected to oscillating fluid forcing. Experiments in Fluids, 65(7), Artículo 101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-024-03840-x
Aponte-Cruz, E. R., & Rodríguez-Abudo, S. (2024). Simulations of scalar transport in oscillatory flow over a wavy wall. Journal of Hydraulic Research, 62(1), 14–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/00221686.2023.2298403
Rodríguez Martínez, Manuel
Computer Science and Engineering
Research interests
- Big data analytics
- Machine learning
- Cloud computing
- Distributed database systems
- Artificial Intelligence
About
CAREER Awardee Manuel Rodríguez-Martínez is a professor at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering. His research interests include data base systems, wide-area middleware technology, adaptive interoperability, extensible database systems, query optimization, wireless databases, the Web and databases, computer networks, and Java technology. Rodríguez-Martínez has a PhD in computer science from the University of Maryland at College Park.
Contact Info
Email: manuel.rodriguez7@upr.edu
Office: S-602
Phone Number: (787)832-4040 Ext. 3630
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Conde-Sarmiento, I., & Rodriguez-Martinez, M. (2025). Dynamic resource allocation in disaggregated query engines using deep reinforcement learning. En M. Rodriguez Martinez, K. Lu, F. Ye, & Y. Qian (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Intelligent Computing and Networking 2025: ISICN 2025 (Vol. 1698, pp. 248–262). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09694-4_20
Ruiz-Rohena, K., & Rodriguez-Martínez, M. (2024). ArcaDB: A disaggregated query engine for heterogenous computational environments. 2024 IEEE 17th International Conference on Cloud Computing (CLOUD), Shenzhen, China. 42–53. https://doi.org/10.1109/CLOUD62652.2024.00015
Bonilla-Caraballo, G., & Rodriguez-Martinez, M. (2024). Deep learning methods to help predict properties of molecules from SMILES. En M. Kadoch, K. Lu, F. Ye, & Y. Qian (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Intelligent Computing and Networking 2024: ISICN 2024 (Vol. 1094, pp. 118–132). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-67447-1_9
Rodríguez Román, Daniel
Civil Engineering and Surveying
Research interests
- Transportation network design
- Travel demand management
- Transportation demand modeling
About
Dr. Daniel Rodríguez-Román specializes in transportation systems engineering and predictive analytics, focusing on network design and travel demand. His research advances optimization algorithms to address road pricing, supply-chain elasticity, and freight modeling. By bridging data science and civil infrastructure, he develops solutions for road safety and minimizing population exposure to pollutants.
Contact Info
Email: daniel.rodriguez6@upr.edu
Office: OF-326
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 5952
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Rodriguez-Roman, D., López-Martínez, J., & Figueroa-Medina, A. M. (2025). Joint optimization of fixed route bus networks and complementary paratransit service areas. Transportation Letters, 17(1), 36–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/19427867.2024.2320499
Carlo, H. J., Acosta-Perez, F. A., & Rodriguez-Roman, D. (2024). An integrated ride-sharing and parking allocation system. Transportation Letters, 16(5), 428–438. https://doi.org/10.1080/19427867.2023.2201051
Figueroa-Medina, A. M., del Valle-González, C. A., Cortez-Cuervo, I., Rodríguez-Román, D., & Colucci-Ríos, B. (2022). Estimates of willingness to pay and value of time for the dynamic toll lanes in freeway PR-22 in Puerto Rico. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2676(9), 650–660. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981221088201
Rodríguez Solís, Rafael
Electrical and computer Engineering
Research interests
- Broadband and tunable microwave
- Millimeter-wave circuits and antennas
- Phased array antennas
- Numerical methods in electromagnetics
About
Dr. Rafael Rodríguez Solís specializes in applied electromagnetics and multidisciplinary systems engineering. As Director of the NSF-funded Center for Advanced Radio Sciences and Engineering (CARSE), his research advances remote sensing technologies and integrative engineering. He oversees advanced labs focused on microwave applications, coordinating large-scale initiatives in electromagnetic modeling and environmental monitoring.
Contact Info
Email: rafael.rodriguez19@upr.edu
Office: SA 508
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 2141
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Verbel, C., Bartenev, A., Lozano, M., Camino, F., Rodríguez-Solís, R. A., & Rúa, A. (2025). High-frequency electrical behavior in V3O5 thin films. Journal of Applied Physics, 137(23), Artículo 234504. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0268450
Theran, L., & Rodríguez-Solís, R. A. (2025). A wideband low power single-to-differential GaAs LNA for mmWave spectrum monitoring applications. En 2025 IEEE MTT-S Latin America Microwave Conference (LAMC) (pp. 38–41). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/LAMC63321.2025.10880554
Blandón-Salazar, M., & Rodríguez-Solís, R. A. (2024). An octave-bandwidth dual-function array. En 2024 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and INC/USNC‐URSI Radio Science Meeting (AP-S/INC-USNC-URSI) (pp. 309–310). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/AP-S/INC-USNC-URSI52054.2024.10686202
S
Santiago, Aidsa
Engineering Sciences and Materials
Research interests
- Engineering education
About
Dr. Aidsa I. Santiago Román specializes in engineering education, focusing on conceptual understanding and academic success among underrepresented populations. Her research advances outcome-based frameworks and diagnostic assessments for bilingual students. Her work focuses on developing strategies to enhance student retention, moral development, and advisor-advisee relationships.
Contact Info
Email: aidsa.santiago@upr.edu
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 3336
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4136-9990
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Artiles, M. S., Huggins, N., Santiago-Román, A. I., & Matusovich, H. M. (2023). Just let me do research! Policies and practices that impact research productivity and mentoring relationships at an HSI. International Journal of Engineering Education. Accepted
Santiago-Román, A. I., Nelson, M. A., Geist, M. R., & Olds, B. M. (2011). Rigorous methodology for concept inventory development: Using the ‘Assessment Triangle’ to develop and test the Thermal and Transport Science Concept Inventory (TTCI). International Journal of Engineering Education, 27(5), 968–984.
Miller, R. L., Streveler, R. A., Yang, D., & Santiago-Román, A. I. (2011). Identifying and repairing student misconceptions in thermal and transport science: Concept inventories and schema training studies. Chemical Engineering Education, 45(3), 203–210.
Sanchez Pérez, Jesús A.
Electrical and computer Engineering
Research interests
- Biomedical engineering
- Cardiopulmonary monitoring
- Non-invasive medical assessment
- Remote Sensing
- Sustainability
- Agricultural water management
About
Dr. Jesús Antonio Sánchez-Pérez specializes in biomedical engineering and wearable sensing, focusing on non-invasive physiological monitoring. His research advances respiratory and cardiovascular health technologies by integrating signal processing with bioimpedance sensors. By bridging microelectronics with clinical applications, he develops innovative solutions for stress management and continuous patient tracking.
Contact Info
Email: jesus.sanchez25@upr.edu
Office: SA 614
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 2081
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Rong, Y., Standage-Beier, W., Sanchez-Perez, J. A., & Bliss, D. W. (2026). Millimeter-wave radar-based tracheal respiratory sound (rTS) monitoring. IEEE Microwave and Wireless Technology Letters. Publicación anticipada en línea. https://doi.org/10.1109/LMWT.2026.3678917
Sanchez-Perez, J., Berkebile, J., Jordan, N., Maher, K., Inan, O., & Grunwell, J. (2026). Monitoring respiratory health in children with acute asthma using wearable electrical bioimpedance and breath sounds: Observational case-control study. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 14, Artículo e72979. https://doi.org/10.2196/72979
Rahman, F. N., Bindra, P. S., Nawar, A., Crane, H. T., Sanchez-Perez, J. A., Berkebile, J. A., Kilic, O. S., Chen, C., Abbaraju, V., Nichols, C. J., Cook, J. M., Mabrouk, S., Gazi, A. H., Hahn, J.-O., & Inan, O. T. (2026). A wearable system enabling acute stress monitoring and closed-loop mitigation through transcutaneous median nerve stimulation. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 301, Artículo 118461. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2026.118461
Shriwastav, Sachin
Mechanical Engineering
Research interests
- Robotics
- Autonomous navigation
- Unmanned aerial vehicles
About
Dr. Sachin Shriwastav specializes in robotics, motion planning, and control, focusing on multi-agent systems and data-driven learning. His research advances dynamic modeling and resource optimization for complex autonomous networks. By bridging computer vision with coordination control, he develops intelligent algorithms for sensor networks and autonomous navigation in dynamic environments.
Contact Info
Email: sachin.shriwastav@upr.edu
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext.
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Shriwastav, S., Snyder, G., & Song, Z. (2022). Dynamic compressed sensing of unsteady flows with a mobile robot. 2022 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), 11910–11915. https://doi.org/10.1109/IROS47612.2022.9981737
Snyder, G. A., Shriwastav, S., Morrison, D., & Song, Z. (2021). Path planning for optimal coverage of areas with nonuniform importance. AIAA 2022-2546: AIAA SCITECH 2022 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2022-2546
Rajan, J., Shriwastav, S., Kashyap, A., Ratnoo, A., & Ghose, D. (2021). Disaster management using unmanned aerial vehicles. En A. Koubaa & A. T. Azar (Eds.), Unmanned aerial systems (pp. 129–155). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820276-0.00013-3
Sierra Gil, Heidy
Computer Science and Engineering
Research interests
- Signal and image processing
- Biomedical engineering
- Optics and photonics
- Microscopy
About
CAREER Awardee Dr. Heidy Sierra specializes in optical imaging and tissue optics, focusing on integrating numerical simulations with advanced instrumentation for biomedical research. Her work advances image-guided cancer therapies and cellular research through hyperspectral and confocal microscopy. By bridging mathematical modeling with clinical diagnostics, she develops innovative tools for precision surgery and laser-based treatments.
Contact Info
Email: heidy.sierra1@upr.edu
Office: S-402
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 3098
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Alvarez, M., Arzuaga, E., & Sierra, H. (2026). Virtual stain and phase estimation using encoder-decoder networks. En M. Rodriguez Martinez, K. Lu, F. Ye, & Y. Qian (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Symposium on Intelligent Computing and Networking 2025: ISICN 2025 (Vol. 1698, pp. 130–142). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-09694-4_11
Goulopoulos, A., Alvarez, M., Sierra, H., & Franco, W. (2024). A computational framework to analyze time and location-dependent NIRS readouts for detecting cytochrome c oxidase. En Photonic Diagnosis, Monitoring, Prevention, and Treatment of Infections and Inflammatory Diseases 2024 (Vol. PC12822, Artículo PC128220A). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3003150
Alvarez, M., Arzuaga, E., & Sierra, H. (2023). Using Monte Carlo simulated PPGs signals to train a deep learning model to predict hemoglobin levels. En Emerging Topics in Artificial Intelligence (ETAI) 2023 (Vol. 12655, Artículo 1265504). SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2677499
Sridhar, Lakshmi
Chemical Engineering
Research interests
- Bifurcation analysis
- AI
- Mathematical modeling
About
Dr. Lakshmi Sridhar specializes in the analysis and optimization of chemical processes, focusing on enhancing efficiency within complex industrial systems. His research advances mathematical modeling and simulation to improve process design and operational performance.
Contact Info
Email: lakshmi.sridhar@upr.edu
Office: IQ-105I
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 3173
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7366-9018
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Sridhar, L. N. (2025). Analysis and control of a carbon dioxide removal model. International Journal of Chemical and Process Engineering Research, 12(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.18488/65.v12i1.4658
Sridhar, L. N. (2025). Analysis and control of the permanent magnet synchronous motor model. International Review of Applied Sciences, 11(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.20448/iras.v11i1.7771
Sridhar, L. N. (2022). Single and multiobjective optimal control of the wastewater treatment process. Transactions of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, 7(4), 1339–1346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41403-022-00368-6
Silva Araya, Walter
Civil Engineering and Surveying
Research interests
- Hydrology
- Hydraulics
- Fluid transients
- Erosion
About
Dr. Walter F. Silva Araya specializes in hydraulic and hydrological engineering, focusing on hydraulic transients and sediment transport. As Director of PRWRERI, his research advances river modeling and stormwater infrastructure design. He bridges theory and practice by developing erosion control standards and technical manuals for water resource management.
Contact Info
Email: walter.silva2@upr.edu
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Viloria-Marimón, O. M., Santiago-Collazo, F. L., Bledsoe, B. P., & Silva-Araya, W. F. (2025). A technique for stream geometry estimation based on watershed morphometric characteristics. Environmental Modelling & Software, 190, Artículo 106486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106486
Deng, Y., Tang, Z., Yang, L., Lin, Q., & Silva-Araya, W. F. (2025). Small islands as laboratories and testbeds for resilient water supply. Nature Water, 3(10), 1085–1088. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-025-00515-7
Silva-Araya, W., & Rodríguez-Quiñones, E. (2023). Vegetative Flow Resistance for Erosion Control Using Grass Species from the Caribbean Region. Sustainability, 15(8), 6580. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086580
Suárez, Oscar Marcelo
Engineering sciences and materials
Research interests
- Material sciences
- Additive manufacturing
- Metallurgy
- Nanoparticles
About
Dr. Oscar Marcelo Suárez specializes in materials science and metallurgical engineering, focusing on the development and characterization of composites and nanomaterials. His research advances innovative nanotechnology applications and high-performance materials. As a program coordinator, he bridges advanced metallurgy with interdisciplinary research to drive technological impact in mechanical systems.
Contact Info
Email: oscarmarcelo.suarez@upr.edu
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 2398, 3336
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Calle-Hoyos, A. F., Burgos-León, N. A., Feliciano-Cruz, L. I., Florián-Algarín, D., Rivera, C. V., De Jesús-Silva, J. D., & Suárez, O. M. (2024). Multi-Objective Optimization of Novel Aluminum Welding Fillers Reinforced with Niobium Diboride Nanoparticles. Journal of Composites Science, 8(6), 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcs8060210
Camacho-Berríos, A., & Suárez, O. M. (2023). Sputtering deposition under limited adatom mobility: An effective method to prepare a SERS substrate based on Ag@ZnO composite deposited onto electrospun cellulose acetate fibers. Applied Physics A, 129(11), Artículo 772. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-023-07044-8
Barajas-Valdes, U., & Suárez, O. M. (2020). Nanomechanical properties of thin films manufactured via magnetron sputtering from pure aluminum and aluminum-boron targets. Thin Solid Films, 693, Artículo 137670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsf.2019.137670
Suleiman Rosado, David
Chemical Engineering
Research interests
- Specialty separations
- Advanced materials
- Polymer nanocomposite membranes
- High pressure processing
About
Dr. David Suleiman specializes in polymer thermodynamics and the physics of polymer nanocomposite membranes. His research advances the development of high-performance materials for energy-efficient devices, such as fuel cells and organic photovoltaics. By bridging chemical kinetics with materials science, he develops innovative membrane technologies for sustainable water purification and clean energy applications.
Contact Info
Email: david.suleiman@upr.edu
Office: IQ-205-G
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 2685
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Meza-Morales, W., Ayus-Martinez, S., Jimenez-Osorio, J., Buendia-Otero, M., López, L., Suleiman, D., Suarez, E., Freytes, D. O., Cunci, L., & Mora, C. (2025). Functionalized screen-printed electrodes for non-invasive detection of vascular-endothelial cadherin in extracellular vesicles. RSC Advances, 15(18), 12609–12621. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA08926J
Rivera-Diaz, J. C., & Suleiman, D. (2024). Permeation of urea and water through sulfonated poly(styrene-isobutylene-styrene) membranes with counterion substitution. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 141(16), Artículo e55256. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.55256
Ramos-Rivera, G., & Suleiman, D. (2024). Random sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) and sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone) membranes for fuel cell applications. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 141(13), Artículo e55156. https://doi.org/10.1002/app.55156
T
Tarafa, Pedro
Civil engineering and surveying
Research interests
- Water treatment & sanitation
- Applied photocatalysis & nanomaterials
- Stormwater management
- Household water treatment
About
Dr. Pedro Tarafa is a Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez since 2010. His research focuses on membrane-based desalination and pathogen inactivation, photocatalytic degradation of contaminants, and supercritical CO₂-based decontamination of biomaterials. He is an active member of the EPA Caribbean Science Consortium and has contributed to both peer-reviewed publications and a U.S. patent in the area of endotoxin removal.
Contact Info
Email: pedro.tarafa@upr.edu
Office: CI-205 / CI-101
Phone Number: (787)832-4040 Ext. 2136, 3815
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Avila, H., & Tarafa, P., & Pilar, J. (2025). Electrodeposition By Rodse Technique of- Au, Pt, and Au-Pt Nanoparticles on LaTiO₂N and La₂Ti₂O₇ Comparing Deposited Material with Direct NaBH₄. ECS Meeting Abstracts. MA2025-01. 1434-1434. https://doi.org/10.1149/MA2025-01231434mtgabs
Suleiman, D., Villanueva, L., & Tarafa, P. (2021). Brackish Water Desalination with a Novel Polymer Nanocomposite Membrane. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 148. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001959
Pagán-Pagán, N., Tarafa, P., & Suleiman, D. (2021). Sulfonated Poly(Styrene-Isobutylene-Styrene) Membranes with Counter-Ion Substitution for the Inactivation of Pathogens in Water. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 147. 04021027. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001898
Torre, Fernando
Computer sciences and Engineering
Research interests
- Human Computer Interaction
- Social Computing
- UI/UX Design
- Web & Mobile Development
About
Dr. Fernando Torre specializes in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and social computing, focusing on UI/UX design and web/mobile development. His research explores the intersection of behavioral analytics and cross-cultural usability, particularly in the context of digital educational platforms. By bridging software engineering with UX design, he develops accessible, data-driven interfaces that enhance online learning and collaborative environments.
Contact Info
Email: fernando.torre3@upr.edu
Office: OF-409
Phone Number: (787)832-4040 Ext. 5864
Website: https://torref.com/index.html
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Torre, F., Liu, Y., Liu, Z., & Terveen, L. (2013). Local knowledge matters for crowdsourcing systems: Experience from transferring an American site to China. Proceedings of the Seventh International AAAI Conference on Weblogs and Social Media, 693–696. https://doi.org/10.1609/icwsm.v7i1.14458
Torre, F., Pitchford, D., Brown, P., & Terveen, L. (2012). Matching GPS traces to (possibly) incomplete map data: Bridging map building and map matching. Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (SIGSPATIAL ’12), 534–537. https://doi.org/10.1145/2424321.2424411
Torre, F., Sheppard, S. A., Priedhorsky, R., & Terveen, L. (2010). Bumpy, caution with merging: An exploration of tagging in a geowiki. Proceedings of the 2010 ACM Conference on Supporting Group Work (GROUP ’10), 155–158. https://doi.org/10.1145/1880071.1880097
Torres Lugo, Madeline
Chemical Engineering
Research interests
- Biochemical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomaterials
- Drug delivery
- Polymers
About
Dr. Madeline Torres-Lugo specializes in biomaterials and drug delivery systems, focusing on their interactions with biological tissues. An AIMBE Fellow, her research advances biomedical solutions through the design and characterization of therapeutic carriers. She bridges material science and bioengineering to develop innovative, high-impact medical technologies and treatments.
Contact Info
Email: madeline.torres6@upr.edu
Office: IQ-104-D
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 2585, 6456
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Lizana-Vasquez, G. D., Arrieta-Viana, L. F., Mendez-Vega, J., Acevedo, A., & Torres-Lugo, M. (2022). Synthetic thermo-responsive terpolymers as tunable scaffolds for cell culture applications. Polymers, 14(20), Artículo 4379. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14204379
Alvarez-Berríos, M. P., Castillo, A., Rinaldi, C., & Torres-Lugo, M. (2014). Magnetic fluid hyperthermia enhances cytotoxicity of bortezomib in sensitive and resistant cancer cell lines. International Journal of Nanomedicine, 9(1), 145–153. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S51435
Santiago-Rodríguez, L., Montalvo Lafontaine, M., Castro, C., Méndez-Vega, J., Latorre-Esteves, M., Juan, E. J., Mora, E., Torres-Lugo, M., & Rinaldi, C. (2013). Synthesis, stability, cellular uptake, and blood circulation time of carboxymethyl-inulin coated magnetic nanoparticles. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 1(22), 2807–2817. https://doi.org/10.1039/C3TB20256A
Torres Nieves, Sheilla
Mechanical Engineering
Research interests
- Fluid dynamics
- Aerodynamics
- Turbulence and aerospace systems
- Aircraft and unmanned systems engineering
- Energy-efficient propulsion
About
Dr. Sheilla Torres Nieves is an entrepreneur and professor, this researcher specializes in fluid dynamics and turbulence, with applications in wind energy and aeronautics. Their work combines experimental, computational, and theoretical studies to optimize turbomachinery and environmental flows. She is the Director of the Center for Aerospace and Unmanned Systems Engineering (CAUSE).
Contact Info
Email: sheilla.torres@upr.edu
Office: Office: L-217
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Torres-Nieves, S. N., & Medard, P. (2024). Turbulence model assessment on roughness effects on boundary layer development over adjacent compressor blades. AIAA AVIATION 2024 Forum. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2024-3677
Torres-Nieves, S., Maldonado, V., Lebrón, J., Kang, H. S., Meneveau, C., & Castillo, L. (2012). Free-stream turbulence effects on the flow around an S809 wind turbine airfoil. En M. Oberlack, J. Peinke, A. Talamelli, L. Castillo, & M. Hölling (Eds.), Progress in Turbulence and Wind Energy IV (Vol. 141, pp. 241–244). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28968-2_59
Torres-Nieves, S., Maldonado, V., Kang, H., Meneveau, C., & Castillo, L. (2012). Effect of free-stream turbulence on the flow around a S809 wind turbine blade. 50th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2012-895
V
Valdes Diaz, Didier M.
Civil Engineering and Surveying
Research interests
- Transportation engineering
- Highway safety
- Mass transit operations
- Non-motorized transportation
About
Dr. Didier M. Valdés-Díaz specializes in transportation systems analysis and Intelligent Transportation Systems. His research integrates simulation and fuzzy logic to optimize highway safety, urban traffic control, and rail systems. He bridges engineering with technology through mobile prototypes for infrastructure management, while advancing system dynamics and engineering ethics.
Contact Info
Email: didier.valdes@upr.edu
Office: CI-209
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 2179
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Figueroa Medina, A., Valdes, D., Colucci-Rios, B., Cardona-Rodríguez, N., & Chamorro-Parejo, A. (2023). Analysis of walking speeds and success rates on mid-block crossings using virtual reality simulation. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 183, Artículo 106987. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2023.106987
Valdes, D., Puerto, C., Colucci-Rios, B., Figueroa Medina, A., Concepción-Carrasco, E., Sierra-Betancur, L., & Taveras-Canela, Y. (2021). Driver compliance in work zones: Two-lane rural roads versus freeways. Journal of Legal Affairs and Dispute Resolution in Engineering and Construction, 13(4), Artículo 04521036. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)LA.1943-4170.0000497
Rojas, M., Valdes, D., & Holguín-Veras, J. (2021). Simulation framework for analysis of relief distribution efforts after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, 2675(9), 1121–1132. https://doi.org/10.1177/03611981211004170
Velez Rivera, Bienvenido
Computer Science and Engineering
Research interests
- Computer science
- Advanced data management
- Software development
- Compilers Design
- Bioinformatics
About
Dr. Bienvenido Vélez Rivera specializes in information retrieval and distributed systems. His research advances hierarchical network search engines and query refinement techniques. His interdisciplinary work extends to distributed computing for smart electric grids and digital government workflows, bridging advanced computer science with practical infrastructure and public policy solutions.
Contact Info
Email: bienvenido.velez@upr.edu
Office: S-604
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 6840
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Irizarry-Rivera, A. A., Rodríguez-Martínez, M., Vélez, B., Vélez-Reyes, M., Ramirez-Orquin, A. R., O’Neill-Carrillo, E., & Cedeño, J. R. (2010). Intelligent power routers: Distributed coordination for electric energy processing networks. En Smart Grid: Fundamental Applications of Data Management, Communications, and Security (pp. 47–85). Wiley-IEEE Press. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470602782.ch3
Vélez-Rivera, B., Rodríguez-Martínez, M., Díaz, W., Núñez-Molina, M., & Rivera-Vega, P. I. (2008). Multidisciplinary e-government research and education as a catalyst for effective information technology transfer. En H. Chen, L. Brandt, V. Gregg, R. Traunmüller, S. Dawes, E. Hovy, C. A. Larson, & J. L. Smith (Eds.), Digital government: E-government research, case studies, and implementation (Vol. 17, pp. 609–633). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-71611-4_31
Feliciano-Bonilla, C. A., & Velez-Rivera, B. (2006). A time-domain simulation framework of an IPR-based shipboard integrated power system. 2006 IEEE/PES Transmission & Distribution Conference and Exposition: Latin America, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/TDCLA.2006.311475
Vidot Vega, Aidcer
Engineering sciences and materials
Research interests
- Structural engineering
- Bridge engineering
- Rotational stiffness of elastomeric bearing pads
- Concrete structures
About
Dr. Aidcer Vidot-Vega specializes in structural and seismic engineering, focusing on the performance-based design of reinforced concrete structures. Her research advances displacement-based seismic design by establishing critical relationships between strain, curvature, and drift. By bridging soil-structure interaction with load history analysis, she develops resilient criteria for bridges and high-rise frames under seismic excitation.
Contact Info
Email: aidcer.vidot@upr.edu
Office: OF-410
Phone: (787) 832-4040 ext. 5919
SIGNIFICANT PUBLICATIONS
Vidot-Vega, A. L., & Kowalsky, M. J. (2013). Drift, strain limits and ductility demands for RC moment frames designed with displacement-based and force-based design methods. Engineering Structures, 51, 128–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2013.01.004
Vidot-Vega, A. L., & Kowalsky, M. J. (2011). Impact of seismic input on strain/displacement response of RC members and frames. ACI Structural Journal, 108(2). https://doi.org/10.14359/51664253
Vidot-Vega, A. L., & Kowalsky, M. J. (2010). Relationships between strain, curvature, and drift in RC moment frames in support of performance-based seismic design. ACI Structural Journal, 107(3). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272506120