Raul Cuero
Encyclopedia
Raul G Cuero is a professor of microbiology and an inventor, with particular expertise in biogenesis
.
Dr. Cuero led a team from around the world in synthetic biology
in the 2006 IGEM
competition, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in the USA.http://parts2.mit.edu/wiki/index.php/Prairie_View_A%26M_University_2006http://parts2.mit.edu/wiki/index.php/Members_Latin_American_Teamhttp://parts2.mit.edu/wiki/index.php/Africa_2006
After studying biology on a scholarship awarded for academic merit at the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, he was offered a further academic scholarship to continue his education in the United States in biology
and plant pathology. He was later awarded another scholarship to earn his Ph.D in microbiology
in the United Kingdom
.
Biogenesis
Biogenesis is the law that living things come only from other living things, e.g. a spider lays eggs, which develop into spiders. It may also refer to biochemical processes of production in living organisms.-Spontaneous generation:...
.
Dr. Cuero led a team from around the world in synthetic biology
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research that combines science and engineering. It encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies, and disciplines with a variety of definitions...
in the 2006 IGEM
IGEM
The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition is a worldwide Synthetic Biology competition aimed at undergraduate university students.- Competition details :...
competition, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in the USA.http://parts2.mit.edu/wiki/index.php/Prairie_View_A%26M_University_2006http://parts2.mit.edu/wiki/index.php/Members_Latin_American_Teamhttp://parts2.mit.edu/wiki/index.php/Africa_2006
Education
- Biology, University of ValleUniversity of ValleThe University of Valle , also called Univalle, is a public, departmental, coeducational, research university based primarily in the city of Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia. It is the largest higher education institution by student population in the southwest of the country, and the third in...
- B.Sc. Biology, Heidelberg CollegeHeidelberg CollegeHeidelberg University is a private liberal arts college located in the city of Tiffin, Ohio in the U.S. state of Ohio. Founded in 1850, it was known as Heidelberg College until 1889 and from 1926 to 2009.- History :...
- M.Sc. Plant Pathology, Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
- Ph.D. Microbiology, University of StrathclydeUniversity of StrathclydeThe University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
Biography
During the 1950s more than 30% of the children in his home town of Buenaventura died from diseases such as parasites, malaria, tuberculosis and viral diseases before reaching the age of ten. This served as inspiration for his career.After studying biology on a scholarship awarded for academic merit at the Universidad del Valle in Cali, Colombia, he was offered a further academic scholarship to continue his education in the United States in biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
and plant pathology. He was later awarded another scholarship to earn his Ph.D in microbiology
Microbiology
Microbiology is the study of microorganisms, which are defined as any microscopic organism that comprises either a single cell , cell clusters or no cell at all . This includes eukaryotes, such as fungi and protists, and prokaryotes...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Fellowships, scholarships, awards and honors
- Distinguished Professor, Prairie View A&M UniversityPrairie View A&M UniversityPrairie View A&M University is a historically black university located in Prairie View, Texas and is a member of the Texas A&M University System. PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 50 academic majors, 37 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through nine colleges and schools...
- NASA Technology Award. 2003
- Tech Brief Monetary Award
- Nominated by the Invention and Contribution Board of NASA-JSC-Houston, to be in the list of selected Inventors and/or Contributors, for the Invention on “Removal of Radionuclides Such as Uranium, Using Martian Simulated Soil”. This material is similar to the Martian Soil
- Recognition Award for Significant Contribution to Science and for Exemplary Role Model to the Colombian Community, 1998
- "Outstanding Mentor" for NASA-Sharp-Plus Research Program for High School students, Prairie View A&M University, Summer 1995
- Diners' Club Distinction Award as one of Colombian Outstanding Scientist Overseas, 1994
- Award Recognition, Leader in Science and Significant Contributions to Higher Education, Prairie View A&M University, 1993
- Award Recognition for Significant Contribution to Research, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, 1992
- Liaison, International Agricultural Exchange Program, Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Iowa State UniversityIowa State UniversityIowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
, 1990 - Distinguished Research Scientist, Cooperative Agricultural Research Center, Prairie View A&M University, 1989
- Best Student, UNESCOUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
International Course on Biodeterioration, Commonwealth Mycological Institute (CMI), Surrey, England, 1983 - Award, Overseas Research Student (ORSA) from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom, (1982–1986), Academic
- University of Strathclyde, Scotland, United Kingdom, (1980–1986), Academic Scholarship to Study PHD Degree
- Ohio State University, (1971–1974), Academic Scholarship
- Heidelberg College, Ohio (1970–1971), Academic Scholarship, Dean's List
- Nominated for U.S. Advisory Committee of Organic Food, by the Texas Department of Agriculture, 2002
- Nominated for the United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection AgencyThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
Advisory Policy Committee, 2003 - Most Valuable Player (MVP), Colombian National Basketball Team, National and International Competitions (North, Central and South America), 1965–1970
- Government of Colombia: Simon Bolivar, Order Medal, Title of Knight. The recognition was made on May 21, 2004 for Dr. Cuero's inventions, brilliant scientific career & contribution to society.
Inventions and patents
- 2005: Invention. A Biological Active Glass with Antifungal and Antibacterial Properties.
- 2004: Effective Removal of Radio-nuclear and Heavy Metal Pollutants, using a Martian Simulant Material. Patent in Process by NASA. U.S. Provisional Patent #60-534805.
- 2004: Enhancement of Purification of Crude Oil: Reduction of Sulfur Contamination.
- 2003: Antimicrobial Compound.
- 1998: Effective Fungal Biocontrol in Plant and Food. U.S. Patent #5,830,459.
- 1996: Semi Scale Pilot System to Study Bioremediation of Chemicals and Oil.
- 1996: Recovery and Flocculation of Toxic Metals: Chromium, Lead, Zinc and Copper.
- 1995: Learning Science by Doing It: A Holistic Method Utilizing Computer Communications Networks. Copyright, International Program for Scientific Training. Copyright.
- 1995: Enhancement of B-Carotene and Vitamin A and Essential Nutrients in Plants. Invention in filing process for patent application.
Media appearances
- Chosen by PBS Television Network in Houston for the program "Living Smart", as an example of creativity, for his scientific inventions, 2006
- Chosen by TelemundoTelemundoTelemundo is an American television network that broadcasts in Spanish. The network is the second-largest Spanish-language content producer in the world, and the second-largest Spanish-language network in the United States, behind Univision....
Hispanic TV in USA as an example of the Hispanic community in USA, for his scientific contributions, 2006 - Dr. Cuero's life and his book featured on the television show "Between Triumph and Survival", (November 6, 3:30 PM and November 10, 1:30 PM, 2005) on the US PBS-Houston (Channel 8) television series "Living Smart", as a role model, based on his scientific creativity (8 inventions) and intellectual achievements
External links
- Raul Cuero's website
- Interview about Dr. Cuero's research in synthetic biology, and the grant he received from the U.S. National Science FoundationNational Science FoundationThe National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
- "Biologists Are Looking To the Chip Industry For Production Models", synthetic biology article in Wall Street Journal