Postdoctoral Research Associate

• Feb 2020 - Present

The overall goal of the project is to determine how marine pathogens and toxins emittedby harmful algal blooms (HAB) can be transferred to the air in the form of inhalable particles(aerosols) that can negatively impact air quality and human health.If toxins from HABs are aerosolized it will provide a more direct, and deleterious,exposure route for people than the better studied toxin exposure through seafood. Our project isfocused on the toxins from freshwater cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) HABs which proliferateseasonally across waterways in Florida. The project uses both field sampling and laboratoryexperiments to measure the production of toxins from HABs, the transfer of toxins to the air, andthe health effects of aerosolized toxins. Field samples of water and aerosols are collected fromnaturally occurring cyanobacterial HABs in Lake Okeechobee and along the CaloosahatcheeRiver, and opportunistically in other South Florida waterways as blooms occur. Laboratoryexperiments use a miniature wind-wave tank and two different configurations of a bubblerapparatus to generate aerosols from HABs using either field samples or phytoplankton cultures;in these laboratory experiments data is collected on the abundance and size distribution ofaerosolized particles, as well as aerosol samples to quantify the transfer of toxins from the waterto the air. In addition the health impacts of the aerosolized toxins are measured using in-lineexposure of a model organism, Drosophila (fruit flies), measuring change in their behavior andlifespan after exposure to HAB air. The Popendorf lab conducts the analysis of toxins from fieldand lab experiments, quantifying two classes of toxins generated by cyanobacterial HABs:microcystin and BMAA (beta-methylamino-L-alanine).

Postdoctoral Researcher

• Jul 2020 - Present

As a second research project, I have recently started working in the Andean Microbial Ecosystems Project, gathering information and literature reviews about stromatolites, evaporites, and other ecosystems located at High Altitude Lakes.These lakes are characterized by their extreme environmental conditions, such as extreme salinity, high UV radiation, and high concentrations of heavy metals. Many of these conditions resemble early Earth.Some examples of the studied locations are: Lake Socompa, Diamante Lagoon (Argentinean Puna region), Salar de Atacama, Salar de Llamara and Tebenquiche Lagoon (Chile).

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• Apr 2016 - Feb 2019

My main research work is focused in the study of extremophilic microorganisms isolated from extreme environments of Argentina. My main research work is focused in the study of extremophilic microorganisms isolated from extreme environments of Argentina.

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

• 2016 - Feb 2019

Advisor Services/Representative

• Jun 2015 - May 2016

Assessment in tertiary treatment of wastewater through bioremediation, and external communications. Assessment in tertiary treatment of wastewater through bioremediation, and external communications.

PHD Student

• Apr 2011 - Mar 2016

PhD in Biochemistry. Thesis: "Genetic and biochemical characterization of microorganisms related to the arsenic metabolism in superficial and groundwaters of Tucumán, Argentina".Arsenic (As) is a highly toxic metalloid widely present in waters in many different areas of the world. It represents a major risk for human health, affecting millions of people in dozens of countries. Arsenic is subject to a surprising range of biogeochemical transformations as a consequence of microbial interactions, all of which have a subsequent impact on the chemistry and the microbiology of different environments. Thus, it is important to study the factors that influence As speciation in such environments.

Laboratory Chemist

• Aug 2010 - Oct 2010

Quality control of juice, essential oils and other products. Analysis on the extraction performance and efficiency. Chemical analysis of juice composition. Quality control of juice, essential oils and other products. Analysis on the extraction performance and efficiency. Chemical analysis of juice composition.

Research Intern

• Feb 2010 - May 2010

Research at the Fungi and Cryptogamic Plants Laboratory. Institute of Evolution. Research line: Medicinal activity of mushrooms and their implications in cancer therapy.Study of the efect of mushroom extracts in colon cancer and ovarian cancer cell lines In colaboration with Kiev University, Ukraine. Research at the Fungi and Cryptogamic Plants Laboratory. Institute of Evolution. Research line: Medicinal activity of mushrooms and their implications in cancer therapy.Study of the efect of mushroom extracts in colon cancer and ovarian cancer cell lines In colaboration with Kiev University, Ukraine.