The graduate and undergraduate researchers at the UPR Center for Resilience to Climate Change contribute to interdisciplinary research addressing climate challenges in Puerto Rico.
Our students contribute to interdisciplinary climate research at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Explore the profiles below.
Graduate Students:
Alejandro Burgos Suazo
Advisor: Dr. Ingrid Montes-González
Ph.D. Student – Organic Chemistry
Research Area:
Ferrocenyl derivatives as modifiers for perovskite solar cells
Alejandro Burgos-Suazo is a graduate student in Organic Chemistry whose research focuses on the synthesis of ferrocenyl derivatives for applications in perovskite solar cells. His work explores organometallic compounds that can improve the stability and efficiency of photovoltaic materials. He is also interested in structural characterization techniques, including X-ray crystallography. Alejandro has experience teaching organic chemistry laboratories and is passionate about chemical education.
Nosheen Begum
Ph.D. Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Phthalocyanine–MXene hybrids for CO₂ electroreduction
Nosheen Begum is a graduate student in Chemistry at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. Her research focuses on the development of hybrid materials based on MXenes and phthalocyanines for applications in electrochemical CO₂ reduction. She is interested in designing functional materials that contribute to sustainable energy technologies. Beyond research, she enjoys mentoring students and participating in scientific outreach activities.
Vanessa Cecilia Álvarez Carrillo
Ph.D. Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Distribution and accumulation of PFAS in Puerto Rican water bodies
Vanessa Álvarez Carrillo is a graduate student in Analytical Chemistry studying emerging contaminants in aquatic environments. Her research focuses on the detection and distribution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water bodies across Puerto Rico. Through environmental monitoring and chemical analysis, her work aims to better understand the impact of these contaminants on ecosystems and public health.
Omar R. Torres Rivera
Ph.D. Student – Environmental Chemistry
Research Area:
Hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass and plastic waste for biofuel production
Omar Torres Rivera is a PhD student working on sustainable waste-to-energy technologies. His research investigates hydrothermal liquefaction processes that convert mixed biomass and plastic waste into fuels and valuable chemicals. He studies reaction mechanisms and product distributions using advanced analytical techniques such as GC-MS. His work contributes to circular economy strategies and the development of renewable energy solutions.
Ninoshka M. Delgado Rivera
Ph.D. Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Drug intercalation in zirconium phosphate nanoparticles
Ninoshka Delgado Rivera is a graduate student specializing in inorganic materials and pharmaceutical applications. Her research explores zirconium phosphate nanoparticles as platforms for drug delivery, particularly for antibacterial and antimalarial compounds. By intercalating bioactive molecules into layered materials, she aims to improve therapeutic efficiency and selectivity. Her work integrates inorganic chemistry with biomedical applications.
Wentao Hou
Ph.D. Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Electrolyte systems for dendrite-free zinc metal batteries
Wentao Hou is a graduate student studying next-generation energy storage systems. His research focuses on developing low-concentration electrolyte systems that enable stable zinc metal batteries without dendrite formation. By improving electrolyte design, his work aims to enhance battery safety, performance, and sustainability. His research contributes to advances in renewable energy storage technologies.
Linguo Lu
Ph.D. Student – Physical Chemistry
Research Area:
Computational Design of catalysts for CO₂ electroreduction
Linguo Lu is a PhD student whose research focuses on computational catalysis and electrochemical CO₂ reduction. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, he studies graphene-based single-atom catalysts and metal–phthalocyanine systems. His work aims to understand reaction mechanisms and to design more efficient catalysts for carbon-conversion technologies. He integrates computational chemistry with machine learning tools to support catalyst discovery.
Christopher Samaniego
Ph.D. Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Catalytic molecules for electrochemical CO₂ reduction
Christopher Samaniego is a graduate student in Chemistry focusing on catalytic systems for electrochemical CO₂ reduction. His research involves the synthesis and study of inorganic catalytic molecules that can convert carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals. Through this work, he aims to contribute to sustainable chemical processes and carbon utilization strategies.
Undergraduate Students:
Jan E. Pagán Sánchez
Undergraduate Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Algae-Derived Graphene Oxide for Sustainable Biosensor Applications
Jan E. Pagán Sánchez is an undergraduate student in Chemistry and Chemistry Education at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras. His research focuses on developing sustainable graphene oxide–like materials from invasive algae for biosensing applications. He investigates the relationship between material structure and electrochemical performance.
Naomi A. Cruz Rodríguez
Undergraduate Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Zirconium Phosphate Nanoparticles for Climate-Driven Diseases
Naomi A. Cruz Rodríguez is an undergraduate chemistry student working in inorganic nanomaterials under Dr. Jorge Colón. Her research focuses on zirconium phosphate nanoparticles as carriers for copper-based complexes relevant to climate-related diseases. She is also involved in STEM outreach and science communication.
Ariana I. Marcano-Maíz
Undergraduate Student – Molecular/Cellular Biology
Research Area:
Zirconium Phosphate Nanoparticles for Climate-Driven Diseases
Naomi A. Cruz Rodríguez is an undergraduate chemistry student working in inorganic nanomaterials under Dr. Jorge Colón. Her research focuses on zirconium phosphate nanoparticles as carriers for copper-based complexes relevant to climate-related diseases. She is also involved in STEM outreach and science communication.
Guillermo Narváez Lozano
Advisor: Dr. Eduardo Nicolau
Undergraduate Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Cellulose-Based Electrospun Fibermats for Li-ion Batteries
Guillermo Narváez Lozano is an undergraduate chemistry student with research interests in energy storage and sustainable materials. His work focuses on cellulose-based electrospun fibermats for lithium-ion battery applications. He has presented his research at national conferences and participates in STEM outreach initiatives.
Rodrigo González
Advisor: Dr. Uriel Rivera
Undergraduate Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Water Quality Monitoring for Climate Resilience
Rodrigo González is an undergraduate researcher in environmental chemistry focusing on water quality monitoring in Puerto Rico. His work evaluates the impact of urbanization and climate change using analytical techniques such as GC–MS and ion-selective electrodes. His research contributes to understanding water system resilience.
Cristina I. Marrero Robles
Undergraduate Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Triapine–Ferrocene for Water Remediation
Cristina I. Marrero Robles is an undergraduate chemistry student specializing in bioinorganic chemistry. Her research evaluates a triapine–ferrocene conjugate as a potential antimicrobial agent for water remediation. She plans to pursue graduate studies at the intersection of chemistry and biology.
Alana S. Cabrera Minier
Undergraduate Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Bio-Nanoremediation of Stressed Ecosystems
Alana Sofía Cabrera Minier is an undergraduate chemistry student focused on environmental and marine systems. Her research studies the effects of climate stressors on coral–microalgae symbiosis to identify early indicators of ecosystem damage. She is interested in developing solutions that support ecosystem resilience.
Gabriela Feliberty Santiago
Undergraduate Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Proteomic Signatures of Coral Resilience
Gabriela Feliberty Santiago is an undergraduate chemistry student interested in coral reef resilience. Her research focuses on proteomic responses in Caribbean corals to understand variations in environmental adaptability. She aims to contribute to conservation and restoration efforts through scientific research.
Sofía D. Robles Alfonso
Advisor: Dr. Lisandro Cunci
Undergraduate Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Nanoparticles for Oxygen Reduction Reaction (ORR)
Sofía D. Robles Alfonso is an undergraduate chemistry student and UPR-CRCC fellow specializing in materials and electrochemistry. Her research focuses on bimetallic nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reactions and catalytic performance. She has also conducted research in energy materials and completed a NASA internship.
Sebastian A. Rodríguez Soto
Advisor: Dr. Ángel Morales Cruz
Undergraduate Student – Analytical Chemistry
Research Area:
Removal of Manganese from Water
Sebastian A. Rodríguez Soto is an undergraduate chemistry student focused on environmental and analytical chemistry. His research involves synthesizing nanoparticles to remove manganese ions from water systems. His work addresses water quality challenges linked to climate change.
Yatxel A. Cotto Rosario
Undergraduate Student – Inorganic Chemistry
Research Area:
Phthalocyanine–CNT Hybrid for CO₂ Reduction
Yatxel Alexis Cotto Rosario is an undergraduate chemistry student with interests in nanomaterials and energy-related systems. His research focuses on hybrid materials for catalysis and CO₂ reduction. He is also involved in STEM outreach and plans to pursue graduate studies.
