Dr. Eduardo J. Caro-Diaz聽
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy
In honor of this year鈥檚 Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW) theme, 鈥淭he Curious Chemistry of Amazing聽Algae,鈥� I traveled all the way to the University of Puerto Rico鈥擬edical Sciences Campus, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. There I met with Dr. Eduardo J. Caro-Diaz, Assistant Professor at the School of Pharmacy.聽
Dr. Caro-Diaz鈥檚 research is in medicinal chemistry of natural marine products. 鈥淚 collect algae in the ocean,鈥� he told me, 鈥渁nd bring them back to the lab to find new medicine-like molecules.鈥� He said he does most of his work on the computer, inside a laboratory. 鈥淚n addition, we sometimes visit the ocean to collect samples, or travel to share our work with other scientists.鈥�
Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy
Dr. Caro-Diaz also works with students, which is what he enjoys most about his work. 鈥淭eaching and training science students is a very rewarding experience,鈥� he shared. 鈥淚 also like that I get to do a lot of experiments.鈥� He told me that the best thing about being a scientist is 鈥渓earning everyday about interesting things. Every day is different, with new challenges鈥攁nd I really enjoy solving problems.鈥澛�
Growing up, Dr. Caro-Diaz was very interested in science. 鈥淔rom a very early age, I really liked math and science. I especially liked learning about nature,鈥� he explained. He shared a special memory of an experiment he conducted when he was in 2nd grade that involved growing bean plants in different light conditions, which is when he started to learn about photosynthesis. 鈥淚 also used to love solving puzzles and riddles,鈥� he recalled, 鈥渁nd enjoyed my middle school chemistry laboratory the most.鈥澛�
Dr. Caro-Diaz had great support from his teachers and family. 鈥淚 had fantastic teachers who were very supportive of my interest in science. My parents also had a big influence (my dad is a mathematician).鈥� He also mentioned to me how thankful he was for his high school chemistry teacher, who 鈥渆ncouraged me to think about studying chemistry, since it was a subject I naturally liked and understood. 鈥楾hanks, Mrs. Maldonado!鈥欌� he added with a big smile.
Thank you, Dr. Caro-Diaz for the wonderful tour of your lab and teaching me all about amazing algae. And a huge thank-you to聽all of the teachers, like Mrs. Maldonado, who inspire children to become chemists!
Fun Facts
- Favorite pastime/hobby: Surfing and climbing
- Favorite color: All shades of sea blue
- Very interesting project you were a part of: Looking for COVID-19 medicines in algae
- Accomplishment you are proud of: Building our lab at the University of Puerto Rico
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