Rubén E. Díaz
Nanoscientist
University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus
Biography
Dr. Rubén E. Díaz-Rivera completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez in the year 2000 followed by a Doctorate Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley in the year 2005. Dr. Díaz-Rivera dissertation topic was on the design and analysis, both experimental and mathematical, of microfluidic devices to perform single cell electroporation. Dr. Díaz-Rivera is currently an Assistant Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University. He is also one of the Co-directors of the Micro and Nano Devices Research Group at UPRM. His major research interest is focused on the design of micro and nanoscale microfluidic devices that facilitate an electrical interface with biological cells and molecules for novel applications such as drug delivery, automated drug discovery, biological sensor development, quantitative molecular transfer and fundamental biophysics. In the academic ground, together with a select group of professors from the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez, he is working in establishing a series of core courses in the field of bioengineering to establish a strong bioengineering background, both at the graduate and undergraduate level, within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Phone
+1-787-832-4040 ext. 2529
rdiaz me uprm edu
Website
Education
- Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California (2005)
- B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico (2000)
Appointments
| 2008–present | Adjunct Assistant Professor, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, United States |
| 2006–present | Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico |
| 2005 | Instructor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Maya, Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico |
Honors and awards
- Sloan Scholar — Demonstrated strong academic performance during graduate studies., Alfred P. Sloan Foundation ()
- Compact For Faculty Diversity Scholar — Strong participation in academic and research education with minorities, The Institute of Teaching and Mentoring ()
- Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company Scholar — One of the top Puerto Rico undergraduate students to pursue graduate studies in the field of engineering, PRIDCO ()
Publications
- R. E. Díaz, A. a. Haque, D. Porterfield, and M. Zuberi, "ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF A MICROELECTROPORATION BIOCHIP AND SINGLE CELL CURRENT DENSITIES MEASURED WITH THE 2-D SCANNING VIBRATING ELECTRODE TECHNOLOGY", Biomedical Microdevices,
Presentations
- R. E. Díaz, A. a. Haque, D. Porterfield, and M. Zuberi (October 2009) "Electrical Characterization of a Single Cell Electroporation Biochip with the 2-D Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technology" in BMES 2009 Annual Fall Scientific Meeting.
- M. A. De Jesus, R. E. Díaz, J. Olavarria, and D. Paez (June 2009) "Nanofabrication of Metal-Polymer Composites for SERS Based Biosensing" in 2009 Summer Bioengineering Conference.
- M. A. De Jesus, R. E. Díaz, J. Olavarria, and D. Paez (March 2009) "Nanofabrication of Metal-Polymer Composites for SERS " in 44th ACS Junior Technical Meeting, 29th Puerto Rico Interdisciplinary Scientific Meeting.
- R. E. Díaz, A. a. Haque, D. Porterfield, and M. Zuberi (March 2009) "Electrical Characterization of a Single Cell Electroporation Biochip with the 2-D Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technology" in Chemical Engineering Graduate Seminar Series, UPRM.
- M. A. De Jesus, R. E. Díaz, J. Olavarria, and D. Paez (February 2009) "Nanofabrication of Metal-Polymer Composites for SERS " in 2009 TMS 138th Annual Meeting and Exhibition.
- M. A. De Jesus, R. E. Díaz, J. Olavarria, and D. Paez (October 2008) "Nanofabrication of Metal-Polymer Composites for Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Based BioSensing" in Material Research Society – UPRM Technical Talk.
