MEMBERS OF THIS AGENCY
PhD Students
Cinthya Karina Prieto García (M.Sc.)
I was born in Aguascalientes city in 1999, but I grew up in Loreto, Zacatecas. During my time in High School, I used to participate in Chemistry and Physics Olympiads. It was then when I found my passion for science. I studied Chemical Engineering at the Technological Institute of Aguascalientes. Before finishing my studies, I participated in a summer research program with Dr. Jimenez-Halla where I met computational chemistry for the first time and I love it. In addition to this, I made my professional residence in the Advanced Materials Research Center (CIMAV), Monterrey, where I continued learning computational chemistry. Since 2018, I disseminate science, especially astronomy, physics, and chemistry through social networks with my project “Cúmulo científico” (@cumulocientifico). Thanks to this, I have participated in several scientific events bringing lectures and workshops for children and adults. Nowadays, I am doing a master’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Guanajuato, Mexico. Also about me, I love solving and collecting Rubik’s cube variations and my drawing technique is really good.
PhD Thesis: From Interstellar Chemistry to Early Earth: The Role of Boron in Astrochemistry and Astrobiology. Co-supervisor of Thesis: Dr. Felipe Fantuzzi (University of Kent, UK)
Dra. Heidy M. Quitián-Lara (Max-Planck-Institut, Germany)
M.Sc. Thesis: Boronyl Compounds as Potential Candidates for Astrophysical Detection: a Computational Assessment. Co-supervisor of Thesis: Dr. Felipe Fantuzzi (University of Kent, UK)
Victor Alonso Lucas Rosales (Zeus) (M.Sc.)
I was born in Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán, in 2000. Since I was a child I found curiosity in the behavior of numbers. I was fascinated by finding and playing with the patterns that are generated when operating with them. Later, I transferred this passion to the language of Chemistry. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to participate in different academic competitions in fields such as mathematics, physics and chemistry but my most important participation was in the Chemistry Olympiad, which is a program by the Mexican Academy of Sciences (AMC). I participated two years in a row in the National Chemistry Olympiad (ONQ) where I managed to consolidate excellent results. During this stage, I was trained in the art of chemistry like a child is taught a new language. After this, I started a bachelor's degree in mathematics at the Department of Mathematics (DEMAT) at the University of Guanajuato (August 2018). However, because of my love and passion for Chemistry, in January 2019, I got enrolled into the Chemistry Department, where I met Dr. Halla in the second semester, specifically in the Integral Calculus course. In this subject, I beat the highest academic marks historically in this course (Dr Halla nicknamed me 'Zeus'). Nowadays, my passion for numbers and chemistry has led me to join this Agency where I train my theoretical-computational skills by elucidating reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry.
M.Sc. Thesis: New Theoretical Insights of p-Block Compounds in Ring Expansion Reactions and Catalysis. Co-supervisor of Thesis: Dr. Albert Poater i Teixidor (Universitat de Girona)
Master Students
Jose Francisco Olalde Valdez (B.Sc.)
I am a Chemical Engineer with a focus on materials science. My interest in chemistry began at an early age, when I accompanied my sister during her Chemical Engineering studies and had the opportunity to spend time in classrooms and laboratories. Those early experiences sparked a curiosity that stayed with me throughout my academic journey. From childhood, I developed a wide range of skills and interests through music, swimming, and soccer. Between the ages of 13 and 16, I distinguished myself as a competitive swimmer within the Mexican Swimming Federation. Later, I decided to devote my energy to urban dance, founding a hip-hop dance crew in high school that participated in regional competitions. Through teamwork and leadership, I was recognized for my outstanding role as team leader, helping my school achieve notable competitive success. When the time came to choose my professional path, I had no doubts: I pursued a degree in Chemical Engineering. During my undergraduate studies, I participated in research projects involving hydroxyapatite, returned to competitive swimming to represent my university at national events, and joined a rock band, experiences that further enriched my personal development. After completing my undergraduate degree, I discovered a deep passion for materials science and scientific research. Today, I continue pursuing the dream that began in my childhood: to understand materials through the lens of chemistry and prepare myself to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge as a researcher.
M.Sc. Thesis: Calcium Catalysts Supported on Hybrid ZIFs with Imidazolate-Phosphonate Ligands Doped with Cesium for Cyclic Polymerization
Co-supervisors of Thesis: Dr. Enrique Delgado Alvarado (University of Veracruz)
Dr. Jose Luis Cabellos Quiroz (Polytechnic University of Tapachula)
Luis Antonio Rodríguez Velázquez (B.Sc.)
I was born in 2002 in León, Guanajuato, Mexico. Ever since I was a child, I have been driven by an insatiable curiosity about how things work -often to the point of taking my toys apart, sometimes with less-than-successful attempts at putting them back together! During high school, I discovered my true passion: chemistry. As my interest in this fascinating science grew, I became increasingly involved in scientific activities. One of my most memorable experiences was participating in a science fair, where I earned second place in the science communication category and qualified directly for a continental science fair held in Guadalajara in 2020. Around the same time, I joined Particlez, a science communication group with which I remained actively involved until my early university years. As an undergraduate, I joined forces with fellow students to co-found the Sección Estudiantil de Química (Chemistry Student Section), a student-led organization dedicated to promoting science communication and outreach both within the university and in the broader community. This experience further strengthened my enthusiasm for sharing scientific knowledge and making chemistry accessible to others. I am currently pursuing a Master's degree in Chemical Sciences at the University of Guanajuato, where I am delighted to be part of this research agency and continue exploring the fascinating world of chemistry. Beyond the laboratory, I enjoy board games, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), League of Legends (LoL), and photography.