Postdoctoral: Department of Energy (Waste Education & Research Consortium) Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1988-1990
Research Advisor: Dr. Dennis W. Darnall
Specialization: Environmental Engineering
Ph.D.: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1988
Major Professors: Dr. Dennis W. Darnall; Dr. Joseph Wang
Major Field of studies: Environmental Chemistry
Minor Field of studies: Environmental Engineering
M.S.: New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 1985
Major Professor: Dr. Gary A. Eiceman
Major Field of studies: Environmental/Soil Chemistry
Minor Field of studies: Environmental/Chemical Engineering
B.S.Chemical Engineering (Honors – GPA 4.0), Autonomous University of Chihuahua, Chih., Mexico, 1980
2. ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
Chairman: Department of Chemistry, 2001-present
Director: Environmental Science and Engineering Ph.D. Program, 1996-2001
Endowed Dudley Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science and Engineering, 2001- present
Full Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science and Engineering 1996-present
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science and Engineering, January 1994-1996
Special appointments at UTEP:
Faculty Core Member: Environmental Sciences and Engineering Ph.D. Program, 1995-Present
Graduate Advisor: Environmental Sciences and Engineering Ph.D. Program September 1997-2002
3. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT PRIOR TO UTEP:
Department of Energy: Waste Education and Research Consortium/New Mexico State University, 1991-1993
Autonomous University of Chihuahua: Adjunct Professor of Chemistry 1984-1994
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Reseach Assistant, 1980-1981
Auton. Univ. of Chihuahua: Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering, 1982-1983
Bio-Recovery Systems Inc., consultant, 1988-1995
Assaigi Analytical laboratories, consultant on the application of environmental analytical methods (unpaid), 1998-2002
Crime laboratory of El Paso Police Department, consultant on the implementation and development of analytical methods for controlled drugs (unpaid), 1995-present
Hewlett-Packard Company, advisor on future applications of chemical analytical instrumentation in the U.S./Mexico border area, Mexico, and Latin America (unpaid), 1994-2002
Westech Laboratories of Texas (Trace Analysis), consultant (unpaid), 1994-2001
Mexican Government (PROFEPA) and the cities of Juarez and Chihuahua, consultant on the implementation of the US EPA environmental analytical methods and instrumentation (unpaid), 1993-present
Environmental chemistry/Engineering
Phytoremediation
Nanoparticle production using plants, Nanobio technology
Fate, toxicity, transport and biotransformation of nanomaterials in the environment
Metal binding to biomaterials for remediation of polluted water
Utilization of emission and X-ray absorption spectroscopy in environmental chemistry/Engineering
Water and Air pollution control and characterization in outdoor and indoor environments, especially in the US Mexico Border.
Development of electrochemical, chromatographic, and spectrophotometric analytical methods for metals and hazardous organic compounds in the environment
2013 Excellence in Research Mentorship Award, UTEP, College of Science
Awarded the title of Honorary Professor, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, June 19, 2013.
2012 Piper Professor Award, this is the most distinguhed Award for a Professor in the State of Texas.
· 2012 UTEP College of Science Distinguished Teaching Award
· 2011 UTEP College of Science Distinguished Teaching Award
· 2011-present Associate Editor for North America,Environmental Science and Technology(this journal is ranked number one in the world in the fields of environmental sciences & engineering)
2007-2010 Editor of the Journal of Hazardous Materials
2009 Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)Distinguished Scientist Award.
2008 Environmental Science and TechnologyExcellence in Review Award.
Reappointed to the Richard M and Francis M Dudley Endowed Chair for a full five year appointment from September 1, 2006 through August 31, 2011.
2007 University of Texas at El Paso Distinguished Achievement Award for Teaching,
The “Chromium Symposium” organized by Dr. Gardea-Torresdey at the 233rd ACS National Meetingmakes the cover page of the Journal Chemical & Engineering News.
· Editorial Advisory Board ofEnvironmental Science and Technology,January 2007-August 2011. This board also advises the US government in issues related to Environmental Science and Technology.
· Editorial Board,Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, January 2003-2006. Reappointed 2007-2010
· Guest Editor-in Chief,Microchemical Journal, Special Issue on “Applications of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy,” published April 2002
· Editorial Board,Advances in Environmental Research, January 2002-2005
· Editorial Board,Journal of Hazardous Materials, June 2001-2011
· Editorial Board,Applied Spectroscopy Reviews, May 2001-present
· Editorial Board,Scientiae Naturae, November 2001-present
· Editorial Board,Microchemical Journal, May 2000-present
Highlighted in the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California –Berkeley, June 2004-present (for my research in Nanobiotechnology). Research Hall on nanotechnology (Nano Zone).
Recipient of the prestigiousgiven by the American Microchemical Society for contributions to microchemistry.
Research highlighted by the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences, Fall 2003
Research highlighted by the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences in the 2005 Budget request to US Congress of 2 billion dollars.
Exceptional Leadership Award presented by the students of UTEP-Environmental Science and Engineering PhD Program 2003
Outstanding Award, Border Environment in the Paso del Norte Region, 2002
Dudley Endowed Chair Awarded at University of Texas at El Paso, January 2001
2001 University of Texas at El Paso Distinguished Achievement Award for Research, (Most Prestigious Award Given to a Faculty Member)
Chairman, Rio Grande Valley Section of the American Chemical Society, 1998
Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, Presented by the UTEP ACS Student Affiliates, 1998
Nominated to be in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology, October, 1997
Sigma Xi Research Society Award, 1987
Award for Outstanding Performance from the President of Mexico, Mexico City, 1980
