Mérida’s teaching interests include Unit Operations, Bioprocess Engineering, and nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery. Mérida’s research interests focus on the incorporation of educational models and optimized platforms for traditional and complementary unit operations, fermentation kinetics & modeling, and nanotechnology for fermentation and biomedical applications. 

Education

Ph.D., 2018, Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
M.S., 2010, Chemical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
B.S., 2007, Chemical Engineering, University of San Carlos, Guatemala

Research Areas

Engineering Education
Underrepresented minorities
Unit Operations
Bioprocess/Biochemical Engineering
Engineering communication skills
Biomedical Engineering
Nanomedicine

Awards & Distinctions

• NSF-Engineering Research Centers – Cell Manufacturing Technologies (ERC-CMaT) Research Fellowship (Feb. 2018 – May 2018)
• Post-María Hurricane Thesis Track Award, Puerto Rico Science and Technology Research Trust, AAA Caribbean Division, and Ciencia PR. (Jan. 2018).
• NSF-Institute for Functional Nanomaterials (IFN) Academic Fellowship (June 2014 – Dec. 2016)
• Janice Lumpkin Award, American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Nov. 2013)

Publications

• Mérida, F., Chiu-Lam, A., Bohórquez, Ana C., Maldonado-Camargo, L., Pérez, M.E., Pericchi, L., Torres-Lugo, M., Rinaldi, C. Optimization of synthesis and peptization steps to obtain iron oxide nanoparticles with high energy dissipation rates. Magn. Magn. Mater.394, 361-371 (2015)
• Alvarez-Berrios, M. P., Castillo, A., Mérida, F., Mendez, J., Rinaldi, C., Torres-Lugo, M. Enhanced proteotoxic stress: one of the contributors for hyperthermic potentiation of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib using magnetic nanoparticles. Sci. 3, 391-400 (2015)