Wilfredo Resto, PhD

Título/Appointment: Professor
Departamento/Department: Chemestry Department
Institución/Institution: UPR-Cayey
E-mail: wilfredo.resto@upr.edu
Teléfono/Phone: (787) 738-2161 ext. 2375

Reseña/Biosketch:

Since joining the UPR-Cayey (UPR-C) Chemistry faculty in 1993, my journey has been one of dedication and growth, marked by significant achievements and contributions that reflect my commitment to education and the advancement of underrepresented groups in STEM. As the first student of UPR-Cayey MBRS Program PhD graduate, I now teach, and embarked on a mission to catalyze positive change. Over the years, I’ve been unwavering in my dedication to UPR-C’s students. My academic instructional portfolio spans General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, and their accompanying labs. Beyond the classroom, I’ve taken the role to mentor research students, fostering their growth as aspiring scientists. Additionally, my involvement with the RISE Program and other mentoring-tutoring initiatives has solidified my commitment to fostering academic excellence and holistic development. Having occupied various administrative roles within the institution, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to UPR-C beyond the classroom. These experiences have enriched my understanding of academia’s intricate works and allowed me to make impactful changes across multiple spheres. My passion for innovation led me to secure funding from esteemed institutions such as the Department of Education, NIH, and most recently, the Sloan Foundation. These grants have been instrumental in the conceptualization and implementation of curricular enhancements within the chemistry courses. Moreover, they empowered me to establish a Sponsored Biomedical Research Office, a testament to my commitment to fostering a research-oriented culture. Collaboration has been a cornerstone of my approach. Through partnerships with external institutions, I’ve spearheaded initiatives that pave pathways to graduate education for our students, reinforcing our institution’s standing as a catalyst for educational empowerment. Notably, the UPRC U-Rise and Sloan projects have illuminated the potential of our institution to drive diversity, equity, and inclusion in STEM graduate education, particularly for Hispanic students. As I reflect on these accomplishments, I’m invigorated by the realization that UPR-C has the capacity to effect profound change on a broader scale. My foremost aspiration is to continue amplifying and expanding the reach of UPR-C’s initiatives. By nurturing a diverse talent pool, we not only shape the trajectory of individual lives but also contribute to the emergence of a dynamic and inclusive STEM workforce. In conclusion, my journey at UPR-C has been characterized by an unwavering commitment to education, mentorship, and innovation. Through teaching, mentoring, curricular development, and collaborative initiatives, I’ve endeavored to make a meaningful impact. Looking forward, I am resolute in my determination to steer UPR-C towards a future where diversity is celebrated, equity is championed, and inclusion is the norm, all while nurturing the next generation of STEM workforce.

Preparación Académica/Education:

05/1989 BS in Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico at Cayey, Cayey, PR

12/1993 PhD in Analytical Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

06/2003 Extramural Associates Program NIH/NICHD, Rockville, MD

Áreas de Investigación/Research Interests:

Analytical methods development, Analytical methods validations, Chemistry education, Diversity, equity, and inclusion

Protection of human subjects in research

Publicaciones/Publications:

  1. Wilfredo Resto, Darimar Hernandez, Rosamil Rey, Héctor Colón, José Zayas, Cleaning Validation 2: Development and Validation of an Ion Chromatographic Method for the Detection of Traces of CIP-100 Detergent, Journal of Pharmacological and Biomedical Analysis, 44, 265-269, 2007.
  2. Wilfredo Resto, Joan Roque, Rosamil Rey, Héctor Colón, José Zayas, The Use of Ion Chromatography for the Determination of Clean-In-Place-200 (CIP-200) Detergent Traces, Analytical Chemistry Insights, 2, 5-12, 2006.
  3. Rosita Baez-Galib, Héctor Colón-Cruz, Wilfredo Resto, Michael R. Rubin, Chem-2-Chem: A One2-One Supportive Learning Environment for Chemistry, J. Chem. Educ., 82, 1859-1863, 2005.
  4. Richard S. Moog, John J. Farell (translation: Nelson J. Granda, Ram S. Lamba, Jairo E. Pardo and Wilfredo Resto), QUÍMICA un enfoque inquisitivo, Segunda Edición Revisada, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004
  5. N.Omenetto, O.I. Matveev, W. Resto, R. Badini, B.W. Smith, J.D. Winefordner, Nonlinear Behaviour of Atomic Fluorescence in Mercury Vapours Following Double-Resonance Laser Excitation, Applied Physics, 58B, 303-307, 1994.
  6. William D. Bare, Wilfredo Resto, Vanadium Ions as Visible Electron Carries in a Redox System, J. Chem. Ed, 71(8), 692-693, 1994.
  7. W. Resto, R.G. Badini, B.W. Smith, C.L. Stevenson and J.D.Winefordner, Two-Step Laser Excited Atomic Fluorescence Determination of Mercury. Spectrochimica Acta, 48B (5), 627-632, 1993.