Academic record
University of Puerto Rico, B.S., 1980; Ph.D., 1985
Honors
IUPAC 2017 Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Awards, ACSVolunteer Service Award, 2012; ACS Fellow, 2010; Igaravidez Award, ACS Puerto Rico Section, 2006; Salute to Excellence Award, Committee on Community Activities, National Chemistry Week Coordinator, 2004; Chemical Education Award, ACS Puerto Rico Section, 1999; Fellow International Pure and Applied Chemistry, 2006; Academic Excellence and Productivity Award, University of Puerto Rico, 1997.
Professional positions (for past ten years)
Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies and Research, College of Natural Sciences, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, 2015-18; Professor, University of Puerto Rico-Río Piedras Campus, 1998 to date, Pre-MARC Program Coordinator, 1992-2015.
Service in ACS national offices
Board of Directors, Director-at-Large, 2013-18; Councilor ex officio, 2013-18; Board Globalization Liaison 2018; Committee on Professional & Member Relations, 2013–18, Chair 2017; Web Strategy & Innovation Subcommittee Chair 2014-16; Committee on Grants & Awards, 2015-16; Committee on Public Affairs & Public Relations, 2013–14; Task Force on Governance Design 2016-18; Development Advisory 2015-18; Volunteer Leader for the SEED Anniversary Appeal 2018; Committee on Committees, 2010-12; Committee on Education, 2001-09; Committee on Community Activities, 2004-09, Chair, 2007-09; Editorial Board, Journal of Chemical Education, 2010 to date; National Chemistry Week Task Force, 1999-04; Advisory Board, ChemMatters Magazine, 2006-09, Chair, 2007-09; Task Force on Undergraduate Education, 1999-01.
Service in ACS offices
Puerto Rico Section: Councilor, 1999-13; Chair, 2011, 2003, 1995; Chair- Elect, 2010, 2002, 1994; Treasurer, 1998; Alternate Councilor, 1996-97; Secretary, 1992-93; Faculty Advisor of the Student Affiliate Chapter of the University of Puerto Rico-Río, Piedras 1989 to date; Puerto Rico National Chemistry Week Coordinator 1989 to date; CCED Coordinator 2008 to date. Division of Chemical Education: National Meetings Program Committee, 2002-08; Long Range Planning Committee, 2004-15, Chair 2010-15; 2007 ACS Fall National Meeting, Program Co-Chair. Southeast Regional Meeting: General Chair, 2009 and 2022; Chair, Theme Team for the International Year of Chemistry Celebration, 2011; Representative of the ACS at the IUPAC 2011 Organizing Committee.
Member
Member ACS since 1980. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; American Association for the Advancement of Science; Puerto Rico Chemists Association. ACS
Divisions
Chemical Education; History of Chemistry; Organic Chemistry; and Professional Relations.
Related activities
Founder of the “Festival de Química” (development of resources and implementation) of international events held in over 18 countries for the American Chemical Society (including Colombia, México, Chile, Perú, Panamá, Malaysia, Hungary, Australia, Taiwan, Nigeria, China, Emirates, etc.); Coordinator of the ACS webinars in Spanish; PI & Organizer of the project: Are Women Still Underrepresented in Science? ACS Challenge Grant for the 2011 IUPAC World Congress.