PALESTINO ESCOBEDO, ALMA GABRIELA

Bachelor's and Master's degree in Chemical Engineering with a specialty in Photocatalysis. Ph.D. in Biomolecular Engineering with emphasis on the design, synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of properties of nanomaterials and functional nanostructures. Certification as Teaching in the area of chemistry by CONAEQ. Area of expertise: Instrumental Analysis, Transport Phenomena, Polymers, Advanced Materials, and Nanotechnology. Research interests are aimed to study the fundamental principles of nanomaterials synthesis, to understand their mechanisms of action as well as the physicochemical, optical, morphological, thermal and rheological properties of multifunctional materials. We develop sensors, biosensors, photovoltaic devices, and vehicles for drug controlled release systems. In our research group, we use new generation technologies with a multidisciplinary approach converging the areas of Engineering, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Biophysics, and Nanotechnology, to develop new hybrid materials and devices with programmed functions. These new systems are evaluated for biological, technological, and environmental applications. Nanovehicles for the controlled release of therapeutics are being studied as alternative platforms to conventional therapeutic methods. We design biopolymers and composites with new mechanical and rheological properties; biosensors and portable optical chemosensors for in situ detection of heavy metals and molecular biomarkers. Fluorescent, metallic particles are evaluated as theragnostic nanovectors. Flexible films based on perovskites are being synthesized and studied for application in solar cells. The functionality and effectiveness of the developed nanosystems and nanostructures are determined through their exposure to the target systems.