Education

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
M.S. Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
Ph.D. Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst .

Current: Postdoc Chemical Engineering, Princeton University.

Contact

Lab location: A 404 E-Quad

Research Interests
a) Intercalation and stitching of graphite oxide with diaminoalkanes

We are interested in studying the intercalation reaction of graphite oxide with diaminoalkanes, as a method for synthesizing pillared graphite with tailored interlayer spacing. A potentially important application of pillared graphitic materials is in the area of hydrogen storage, for which pillared materials would be necessary to maintain the optimal separation between graphite layers and to resist delamination of the layered structure during pressure cycling.

b) Amphiphilic block copolymers as drug delivery vehicles

We use “Flash NanoPrecipitation” as a method to produce drug-loaded nanoparticles stabilized with PEG-based block copolymers. We are interested in determining the effect of core hydrophobicity and crystallinity on drug loading and release kinetics. Additionally, and depending on the drug in question, we’re developing prodrug strategies to enhance the stability of the nanoparticles, preventing secondary crystallization or Ostwald ripening effects.