Adriana Herrera
MSc & Ph.D(Chemical Engineering) from University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus,currently Ph.D. assosiate at University of Puerto Rico
| Headline: | Entrepreneur |
| Work status: | Living The Dream |
| Website: | http://www.nanoessentialspr.com |
| Industries: | Biotech, Nanotech |
| Skills: | Business, Copy Writing, Editing, Engineering, English, Languages, Leadership, Management, Spanish, Writing |
| Next step: | Work full time at NanoEssentials |
| Location: | Puerto Rico |
| Visas: | Colombia and USA |
| Interested in: | Advising startups, Brainstorming, Finding business partners, Finding team mates, Getting press, Growing my group, Meeting new people, Offering Expertise, Participating in a competition, Patenting my idea, Professional opportunities, Promoting my startups, Recruiting for my startup, Starting a company, Supporting my investments |
| Tags: | nanoparticles for biomedical applications |
| Schools: | University of Puerto Rico System - Mayag |
WORK EXPERIENCE
| Employer: | Institute of Functional Nanomaterials (IFN), University of Puerto Rico |
| Position: | Postdoctoral Research Associate |
| Time period: | June 2009 - Present |
| Description: | Preparation of novel magnetic nanoparticles for targeting to cells associated with neural development. Preparation of colloidal stable magnetic nanoparticles for application in magnetic fluid hyperthermia and magnetically actuated drug delivery. Assist in supervising graduate and undergraduate students. Assist in the development of new research proposals. Supervise laboratory facilities to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations as well as safety practices. |
| Employer: | University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus |
| Position: | Chemical Engineering Ph.D. candidate |
| Time period: | August 2004 - May 2009 |
| Description: | Synthesis and functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with biocompatible materials such as carboxy-methyl dextran, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and fluorescent thermo-sensitive polymers composed principally of poly-N-isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAM) for biomedical applications.
Research includes: 1. Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles such as magnetite (Fe3O4) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) by the co-precipitation and thermo-decomposition methods 2. Functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with silane-functional molecules which allow the expression of amine or acrylate groups onto the nanoparticle surface 3. Functionalization of magnetic-amine-silane nanoparticles with carboxy-methyl dextran and polyethylene glycol (PEG) using carbodiimide chemistry 4. Functionalization of magnetic-acrylate-silane nanoparticles with thermo-sensitive polymers such as polyN-isopropyl acrylamide (PNIPAM) by free radical polymerization 5. Characterization of the multifunctional magnetic nanoparticles by dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis, electron microscopy, and magnetic measurements 6. Training of undergraduate students |
| Employer: | University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus |
| Position: | Chemical Engineering M.S. Student |
| Time period: | August 2002 - December 2004 |
| Description: | Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using reverses micelles.
Research included: 1. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles from metal salt and sulfites using reverse micelles as templates to control particle size 2. Follow the growth kinetics of gold nanoparticles using a stopped flow reactor and a core-shell optical model 3. Training of undergraduate students |
| Employer: | University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus |
| Position: | Teaching assistant of Mass and Energy Balances |
| Time period: | January 2002 - December 2003 |
| Description: | Responsibilities included:
1. Classes preparation 2. Test administrations |
| Employer: | Smurffit Carton de Colombia |
| Position: | Quality Control Assistant |
| Time period: | January 2001 - December 2002 |
| Description: | Responsibilities included:
1. Implementation of ISO-9000 regulations 2. Quality test of raw materials 3. Quality test of final products |
EDUCATION
| University: | University of Puerto Rico System - Mayag |
| Time period: | 2009 |
| Degree: | Chemical Engineering, PhD |
| University: | University of Puerto Rico System - Mayag |
| Time period: | 2005 |
| Degree: | Chemical Engineering, MSc |
PUBLICATIONS
| Articles: | 1. A.P. Herrera, O. Resto, J. Briano, and C. Rinaldi, “Synthesis and agglomeration of gold nanoparticles in reverse micelles”, Nanotechnology, vol. 16, pp. 618-625, 2005
2. A.P. Herrera, M. Rodríguez, M. Torres-Lugo, and C. Rinaldi, "Multifunctional magnetite nanoparticles coated with fluorescent thermo-responsive polymeric shells," Journal of Materials Chemistry, vol. 18, pp. 855-858, 2008. 3. A.P.Herrera, C. Barrera, and C. Rinaldi, “Synthesis and Functionalization of Magnetite Nanoparticles with Aminopropyl-silane and Carboxymethyl-dextran”. Journal of Materials Chemistry vol.18, pp. 3650-3654, 2008 4. C. Barrera, A.P. Herrera, and C. Rinaldi, “Colloidal dispersions of Monodisperse Magnetite Nanoparticles Modified with Poly(ethylene glycol)”. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science vol. 329, pp.107-113, 2009 5. C. Barrera, A.P. Herrera, Y. Zayas, and C. Rinaldi, “Surface Modification of Monodisperse Magnetic Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications”. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, vol.321, pp.1397-1399, 2009 6. A.P. Herrera, C. Barrera, Y. Zayas, and C. Rinaldi, “Using Magnetic Nanoparticles to Probe the Stability of Polymer-Coated Colloids”. Submitted to Journal of Colloid and Interface Science May 6, 2009 7. A.P. Herrera, E. Vicuña, C. Rinaldi, M.E. Castro, L. Sola, R. Irizarry and J.G. Briano “Growth Kinetics of Gold Nanoparticles in Reverse Micelles,” Nanotech 2004, 3, pp. 391 – 394, 2004 |
| Papers: | Paper was also featured in the RSC Supplement to Chemical Biology under the title “Nanoparticles feel the heat” |
| Patents: | Non-provisional patent application #12/381,073. March 6, 2009 |
INFORMATION
| Memberships: | *Member of American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE). Graduate student chapter
* Member of Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association. UPR-Mayagüez Campus. President 2004-2005 * Graduate Student Represent. UPR-Mayagüez Campus 2005-2006 |
| Awards: | *Merck Health Innovation Award: First place at the Science and Engineering Research Category. San Juan P.R, 2008
*National Science Foundation (NSF) Institute for Functional Nanomaterials (IFN) Fellowship. August 2007 to present *Second place Graduate Poster Award at the AAAS Caribbean Division Conference. October 2005, Bayamón (P.R) *First place Graduate Poster Award American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE). Annual Conference Meeting. November 2004, Austin (Texas) *Awarded first place- “Measurement of synthesis and growth kinetics of gold nanoparticles in reverse micelles”Presentation. *Awarded second place.-“Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles for magnetocytolysis”Presentation * |
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NanoEssentials
NanoEssentials, a Puerto Rico Research Company, will be dedicated to the design, development, and commercialization of novel nanoscopic material for biological and biomedical applications.