My group presents an inter and multidisciplinary approach, with an international perspective. I promote the diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect in the group and between the members.
Below you will find the list of the current members of my research group, with their research topic, contact information, and additional details.
Andrés Rocha-Valverde
Majoring in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography
(Universidad de Costa Rica)
Project/work: MRI hyperpolarized methods in Costa Rica and its application in the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Hobbies/interests: “Rocha” (as we call him) is our expert in Medicine and related topics. Andrés usually spends his leisure time playing acoustic guitar and conducting cooking experiments. Rocha is an avid Barcelona (and Lionel Messi!) fan.
Email: andres.rochavalverde@ucr.ac.cr
Daniel Fernández-Rodríguez
Majoring in Engineering Physics
Project/work: Design and development of a 129Xe hyperpolarizer coupled with a benchtop NMR.
Hobbies/interests: Daniel is a car enthusiast, plays videogames and spend his weekends making homebrewing. Daniel is our otaku member…an eclectic!
Email: ddaa1379@estudiantec.cr
Mariangel Ujueta-Frech
Majoring in Environmental Engineering
Project/work: Environmental applications of silica aerogels (Collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú)
Hobbies/interests: Mariangel was raised in a family deeply rooted in gastronomy, which inspired her to start her own business in the industry. She has a strong passion for environmental issues and loves exploring new destinations. In her downtime, she enjoys watching classic films and series.
Email: mariangel2825uf@estudiantec.cr
Cristina Baltodano-Rodas
Majoring in Biotechnology Engineering
Project/work: Study the enzyme activity of LCC ICCG Encapsulated in an hydrophobic silica aerogel
Hobbies/interests: Cristina is passionate about music, particularly jazz, and dedicates herself to playing the clarinet in musical groups such as orchestra, band, and chamber ensembles. She greatly enjoys drinking tea, mint tea is her favorite. Additionally, she is highly interested in research regarding environmental issues and sustainable biotech solutions.
Email: cbaltodano@estudiantec.cr
Mónica López-Méndez
Majoring in Environmental Engineering
Project/work: Thermodynamic study of the urban development of a middle size city by its domestic and comercial activity
Hobbies/interests: Mónica loves to travel and explore new places, both in Costa Rica and abroad. She enjoys hiking and immersing herself in nature. In her free time, Mónica likes reading a good book, watching movies, and discovering new coffee shops. She considers herself deeply passionate about the environment and is committed to its protection and conservation.
Email: monlopez@estudiantec.cr
Felipe Montero-Castillo
Majoring in Engineering Physics
Project/work: Design and development of a 129Xe hyperpolarizer coupled with a benchtop NMR.
Hobbies/interests: Felipe is a physics student who loves playing and watching sports. His favorite team is Real Madrid, and he really enjoys traveling and discovering new things. He is an electronics enthusiast and mostly spends his free time playing video games and watching movies. He also enjoys trying different kinds of beer.
Email: femontero@estudiantec.cr
Brandon Ortega-Cordero
Majoring in Engineering Physics
Project/work: Design and development of a NMR/NQR probe to be use in Costa Rica (Collaboration with Tel Aviv University)
Hobbies/interests: Brandon enjoys developing projects and engaging in science communication and education. It seems he is a quite famous teacher. He is especially interested in languages and history, and in his free time he likes listening music and playing video games.
Email: brandon.ortega@estudiantec.cr
Bryan Delgado-Hidalgo
Majoring in Environmental Engineering
Project/work: Student assistant (Organic Chemistry)
Hobbies/interests: Bryan enjoys to watch sports, especially basketball. He plays the saxophone, his favorite song to play is Pequeña Czarda from Pedro Iturralde. As much as he likes the saxophone, he really likes to watch movies…for him La La Land is the best!
Email: b.delgado.2@estudiantec.cr
Former students
Below you will find a list of students that worked on my group, and their final projects.
- Andrés Borloz-Chinchilla. Physics Engineer. (Graduated with honors)
Project: Characterization of line-shape asymmetries in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectra of chromophores Induced by thermal and photo-physical effects
(Collaboration with Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico)
- Tatiana Alpízar-Rojas. Materials Science Engineer.
Project: Synthesis and structural characterization of hydrophobic silica aerogels as carriers of degrading plastic enzymes.
(Collaboration with Universidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica and Universität Leipzig, Germany)
- Daniel J. Montero-Murillo & Álvaro J. Montero-Murillo. Occupational Safety and Environmental Hygiene Engineers.
Project: A new strategy for the chemical waste disposal generated at the main campus of Tecnológico de Costa Rica.
(Collaboration with University of Central Florida, USA)
- Juan Diego Barboza-Carmona. Materials Science Engineer. (Graduated with honors)
Project: Evaluation of the synthetic process for the maximization of the surface area of hydrophobic silica aerogels.
(Collaboration with Universität Leipzig, Germany)
- Stephannie Rodríguez-Cordero. Environmental Engineer.
Project: Study of the capacity of bacterial species isolated from oil contaminated marine sediments cores to colonize and produce biofilm on virgin PE and PET microplastics under controlled marine environment.
(Collaboration with University of Central Florida, USA)
- Monserrath Vega-Cárdenas. Environmental Engineer.
Project: Theoretical study of the application of spin chemistry in photosynthetic organisms for a possible use as an energy source.
(Collaboration with Universität Leipzig, Germany)
Prof. Isaac F. Céspedes Camacho 