selected publications academic article Kinetin increases chromium absorption, modulates its distribution, and changes the activity of catalase and ascorbate peroxidase In Mexican Palo Verde. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 45:1082-1087. 2011 Nanomaterials and the environment: A review for the biennium 2008-2010. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 186:1-15. 2011 Toxicity and biotransformation of ZnO nanoparticles in the desert plants Prosopis juliflora-velutina, Salsola tragus and Parkinsonia florida. International Journal of Nanotechnology. 8:492-506. 2011 Use of plasma-based spectroscopy and infrared microspectroscopy techniques to determine the uptake and effects of chromium (III) and chromium(VI) on Parkinsonia aculeate. International Journal of Phytoremediation. 13:17-33. 2011 Evidence of the differential biotransformation and genotoxicity of ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles on soybean (Glycine max) plants. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 44:7315-7320. 2010 Kinetics and thermodynamics of the bioreduction of potassium tetrachloroaurate using inactivated oat and wheat tissues. Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 12:1579-1588. 2010 Photoreduction of metallic Co-catalysts onto novel semiconducting metal oxides. Materials Science and Engineering B. 174:66-70. 2010 Toxicity and biotransformation of uncoated and coated nickel hydroxide nanoparticles on mesquite plants. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. 29:1146-1154. 2010 X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) Corroboration of the Uptake and Storage of CeO2 Nanoparticles and Assessment of Their Differential Toxicity in Four Edible Plant Species. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 58:3689-3693. 2010 Effects of ZnO nanoparticles in alfalfa, tomato, and cucumber at the germination stage: root development and X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies (In press). Pure and Applied Chemistry. thesis Evaluation of the effect of EDTA and plant growth promoters on lead uptake, translocation, and oxidative stress response in Medicago sativa 2007 Study of Gold Binding and Characterization of Gold Nano~articles Obtained from Aqueous Solutions Using Hops Biomass 2003 Statistical Comparative Study of Two Methods for Tetracycline Synthesis 1984
other research activities Research experiences to foster education experiential learning and to enhance education in foods, soils and environmental chemistry Collaborator UPR-Mayaguez center for education and training in agricultural and related sciences (CETARS): consolidating the pipeline in agriculture and natural resources from K-12 to the field Co-PI Center for the Environmental Impact of Nanotechnology Collaborator 2009 - 2013 Metal-Organic Nanosystems Laboratory Collaborator 2005 - 2013 Acquisition of a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer for research and teaching at a large minority serving institution Collaborator 2009 - 2012 Speciation of toxic elements and precious metals present in plant tissues and mine tailings from the Guanajuato mining district in Mexico Collaborator 2009 - 2012 Impact of CdSe and CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles on the Growth and Development of the Edible Plant Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) PI 2010 - 2011 Use of Synchrotron Infrared Microspectroscopy to study structural changes in mesquite plants exposed to ZnO and CeO2 nanoparticles Collaborator 2010 - 2011
reviewer of Journal of Environmental Science and Technology (Journal) 2010 - 2013 Journal of Hazardous Materials (Journal) 2007 - 2013
education and training Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry, University of Texas, El Paso 2003 - 2007 M.Sc. in Analytical Chemistry, University of Texas, El Paso 2001 - 2003 B.Sc. in Chemistry, Biology, Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico 1980 - 1984 Ph.D. in Environmental/Analytical Chemistry, University of Texas, El Paso 2007 - 2010
awards and honors Outstanding Environmental Science and Engineering Doctoral Student, conferred by University of Texas, El Paso, 2007 First Place Poster Presentation Award, conferred by University of Texas, El Paso, 2006 First Place Oral Presentation Award, conferred by Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), 2005 Research Paper Selected for the Top Hottest Article, conferred by J. Chemosphere, 2005 Outstanding Graduate Research in Chemistry, conferred by University of Texas, El Paso, 2003