EDUCATION

BS Biology Universidad Autonoma de Baja California, Ensenada, México.

RESEARCH FOCUS

There is an increasing interest in the possible beneficial effects of plants and plant-derived chemicals due to their vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, there is recent evidence that consumption of plant foods and derivatives prevents or delays the onset of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and aging. Some of these disorders are precipitated by exposure to chemical carcinogens and other toxic agents in the environment, therefore finding foods that can significantly decrease these effects by chemoprotective action is important for human health. The goal of my investigation is to elucidate beneficial properties of plants native to México. These plants have been reported anecdotally to have beneficial effects by indigenous populations but a scientific basis for these claims has not been established. I am investigating the antioxidant properties of plant extracts and their anti-genotoxic properties. I employ several chemical and biological assays such as spectrophotometry, HPLC and the in vitro micronucleus assay and known environmental toxicants such as radiation to help me understand the mechanisms by which the extracts exert their beneficial effects.