REU Students

Lab Host:
Professor Ricardo Javier Vázquez

Education:
- Rising junior of a B.S. in Natural Sciences majoring in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.
- 10-year goal: Complete a Ph.D. in Electrochemistry and work in industry.

Background:
I was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and live in Caguas, Puerto Rico. I am completing a B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. My research involves developing battery separators that enhance the safety and durability of cells in pacemakers. I am also an NIH-RISE Fellow at my institution.

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- I like to try different coffees, hiking, and observing weather conditions.
- I am a cookie connoisseur, and my birthday is on Christmas Eve.

Lab Host:
Professor Stephen Jacobson

Education:
- BS: Major in biology at the University of Puerto Rico in Cayey
- After college, I plan on pursuing a PhD and delving more into research, whether that be in academia or industry

Background:
- I was born in Rio Piedras and have lived my whole life in Aguas Buenas, both in Puerto Rico
- Most of my research experience revolves around neurobiology working with hermit crabs in De Jesus Laboratory at UPR Cayey

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- I sing bass in a choir
- I enjoy making origami
- I also know some italian and french
- I have two pet hermit crabs
- I loved chemistry so much I’ll most likely switch majors after this summer

Lab Host:
Professor J.P. Gerdt

Education:
- Enrolled student in Natural Science with concentration in Chemical Technology program with a second concentration in Audio Visuals at the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao.

Background:
- I was born in Humacao, PR, however, lived sixteen years in Juncos, PR.
- Moved by myself a year ago to Humacao, PR again to be closer to my campus and focus more on my goals.
- Initially was interest in enrolling to the Chemical Engineering program, but end up going for Chemical Technology.
- Long term goal at the moment is develop in the Industry, with major interest for Quality Control.

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- Hobbies: photography, make music, basketball athlete
- Fun Facts: I can not eat lunch without watching a sport podcast. Like to have movies critiques sessions.

Lab Host:
Professor Ricardo Javier Vázquez

Education:
- BS: Natural Science with Concentration in Industrial Chemistry
- My goal after completing my BS is to do a PhD in Biochemistry. I see myself working in a research facility or industry.

Background:
I was born and live at Humacao, Puerto Rico. Currently, I am a rising senior in a BS in Industrial Chemistry. My research at UPRH is about drug delivery systems, specifically delivering protein-based therapeutics. In addition, I am a fellow of the URISE program at UPRH.

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- A fun fact about me is that I started my first year of university at 16 years old. Even tho it was a challenge, it helped me learn and discover my professional and personal goals.
- My hobbies are reading, specifically thriller. I like this genre because it is like solving a puzzle in my head while reading.

Lab Host:
Professor Ricardo Javier Vázquez

Education:
- BS: Rising junior in Natural Science majoring in Chemistry
- 10-year goal: Pursue an MD/PhD or PhD in a field I am passionate about.

Background:
I was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and reside in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. I am completing my bachelor’s in chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. Currently a NASA research fellow working at the Nanoscale Materials and Structures Laboratory at UPR Cayey.

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- I’ve been training in Brazilian jiu-jitsu for 9 years.
- I enjoy cooking, especially for others.
- I share the same birthday as Einstein and the day Stephen Hawking died.

Lab Host:
Professor Charles Dann lll

Education:
- BS: junior in a Biochemistry major.
- After college I want to complete a PhD and continue to work in Industry.

Background:
I was born in New York City, and I lived in Ecuador for 16 years before coming back to NYC where I currently reside. I am currently a junior in the City College of New York (CUNY) doing research in the electrical properties of topological insulators multi layered structures grown by Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Since last year I have been a fellow of the U-RISE program at my university.

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- I don’t like cats and I can play the guitar and the bongo drum.
- Play soccer, basketball and outdoor activities.

Lab Host:
Professor Yan Yu

Education:
- Enrolled student in the Bachelor Degree in Natural Sciences with a concentration in Industrial Chemistry program at the University of Puerto Rico-Humacao.
- Principal goal is to pursue a PhD, since as a long term goal I see myself developing in the Industry.

Background:
- Born and lived for eighteen years in Caguas, PR. Since three years been living in Humacao, PR near to UPR Campus.
- Initially was interest in pursuing a MD to eventually specialized in Dermatology, however, thanks to a High School Chemistry Teacher got inspired to develop in the chemistry field.
- At the moment, my future interests are directed to the direction of nanotechnology, material sciences and/or analytical chemistry.

Fun Facts & Hobbies:
- Hobbies: Excercise at the gym, sit at the beach and skateboarding.
- Fun Facts: Totally obsessed with cats; love going to the beach, but don’t like the sand.