My research interests encompass fine chemicals and platform chemical production as well as pollution abatement in gas streams using biological processes (biofiltration). In my research, I combine experimental information with different forms of modeling, parameter estimation and optimization to answer research questions spanning from the improvement of microbial strains to the optimization of entire chemical and biochemical plants.

As a member of the Green Technologies Research Group at Universidad de los Andes (Gtech), my research is concentrated in two experimental systems. Firstly, the production of hydroxy acids and polymers in bacteria, especially those consuming a mixture of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide. We have been working with Azohydromonas lata, Ralstonia eutropha and other bacteria that can accumulate PHB and its monomer, the chiral (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid. Secondly, the use of bacteria and fungi for the abatement of airborne pollutants, especially VOCs (in collaboration).