Carlos Gonzalez Garrido

My name is Carlos Gonzalez Garrido. I hold a PhD of Chemistry from Dalhousie University (2005). I have worked in several research institutions, including the National Research Council of Canada, and taught general and organic chemistry courses since 2005. My research experience encompasses organic photochemistry, the use of organic photochemistry to produce nanomaterials, and prospective medical applications.

Research Profile

I. Recent findings at the NSU Centre for Collaborative Research have revealed the anticancer potential of substituted-chalcones derivatives against treatment-resistance glioblastomas cell lines. The project is twofold. First, the project requires the synthesis and physicochemical characterization of chalcones compounds, followed by the evaluation of the corresponding anticancer activity in treatment resistance glioblastoma cells. The students will learn advanced aspects of chemistry and molecular biology in connection with medicine. A successful project will ultimately result in new cancer therapies for this type of malignant cells.

II. The photochemical routes to metal nanoparticles and quantum dots are efficient and reliable. This research methodology has been previously applied to bimetallic nanoparticles such as AuAg alloys, AuAg core-shells, Au nanorods, and quantum dots such ZnS QDs. ** The method can also be extended to the preparation of nanostructures of different composition and morphology. Our research involves the study of new photochemical routes to AuCu and AgCu nanomaterials, and the corresponding evaluation of such nanomaterials in well stablished applications for Au nanomaterials and Au nanocomposites, including single-molecule spectroscopy, imaging applications, and photothermal therapy. The higher content of a less expensive metal such as Cu in Au containing nanomaterials makes it a more cost-effective candidate for these applications, and an attractive line of research. The project will also include the preparation of CdS quantum dots by similar photochemical routes, and the evaluation of this material in medical applications such as imaging and drug delivery.

** Carlos M. Gonzalez, et al. Photochemical synthesis of bimetallic and anisotropic Au-containing nanoparticles using a one-step protocol. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2014, 2, 17574–17585. Carlos M. Gonzalez, et al. Photochemical synthesis of size-tailored hexagonal ZnS quantum dots. Chemical Communications. 2015, 51, 3087-3090.