Julie Vanegas
Mentor since: 2023
Mentees: Ramya Kunta, Andrea Quezada
Field of expertise: Nanomaterial science, recycled materials, and Organic Chemistry
Short biography:
Dr. Julie P. Vanegas is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and an “Emerging researcher in Nanoscience” within the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). Her academic profile and research endeavors are showcased on her dedicated website, https://www.nanoworldvanegaslab.tech/. Currently, she is Chair-Elect 2024-2025 for the American Chemical Society (ACS) South Texas Section, underscoring her leadership and influence in the chemical sciences community. Dr. Vanegas spearheads a dynamic research group comprising 15 students, two participating in UTRGV's innovative Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) and three master's students enrolled in the Vaquero Pathway program. Additionally, her team includes undergraduate students engaged in the NSF-PREM program in collaboration with the School of Engineering, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of her research. As a Co-Principal Investigator, Dr. Vanegas is involved in the Coastal Restoration NFS Convergence Accelerator Track E, making her one of the 21 researchers contributing to this significant initiative at UTRGV. Her accolades include the prestigious Rising Stars Award from the UT System, alongside securing several seed grants from UTRGV and the Department of Energy to enhance her laboratory's capabilities. Dr. Vanegas is deeply passionate about sustainability and recycling, leading projects focused on recycling glass, non-functional solar panels, and obsolete technology for metal extraction. These projects are a testament to her commitment to environmental conservation and pave the way for advancements in energy regeneration.
Summary of research projects:
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, fields that today stand at the forefront of scientific innovation, trace their conceptual roots back to 1965, when Nobel Laureate in Physics Richard Feynman presented his visionary speech, "There's Plenty of Room at the Bottom: An Invitation to Enter a New Field of Physics." This seminal address laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving area of research, focusing on manipulating matter on an atomic and molecular scale. More than half a century after Feynman's prediction, the ability to engineer materials at the nanometric scale has become a reality. Dr. Vanegas is at the vanguard of this evolution, exploring the fascinating realm of noble metals, organic molecules, and their hybrid nanoparticles. The intersection of these elements is particularly intriguing due to their extraordinary physicochemical attributes.
From a physical perspective, these nanoparticles exhibit unique optical and electronic properties, setting them apart from their bulk counterparts. Chemically, they can engage in biological reactions traditionally exclusive to organic molecules, thus bridging the gap between inorganic and organic chemistry. Moreover, these nanoparticles are characterized by their significant stability and low toxicity, making them superior to other molecular structures in various applications. Vanegas' work highlights the potential of nanoscience and nanotechnology to revolutionize our approach to material science. It underscores the fulfillment of Feynman's vision, where manipulating matter at the nanoscale opens up unprecedented possibilities for innovation and discovery.
Website: https://www.nanoworldvanegaslab.tech