1. EDUCATION
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
4. CONSULTANTSHIPS
- 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
5. RESEARCH INTERESTS
- 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
6. HONORS AND AWARDS
- 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 Green Chemistry Award
· 2011 UTEP College of Science Distinguished Teaching Award
- Reappointed to the Richard M and Francis M Dudley Endowed Chair for a full five year appointment from September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2016.
· 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 Technology Excellence 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 Meeting makes the cover page of the Journal Chemical & Engineering News.
· Editorial Advisory Board of Environmental 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 prestigious given 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
