Sunlight and Green chemistry: Exploring catalytic reactions for molecular upgrading

Are you passionate about clean technologies, nanomaterials, and hands-on lab work? This is your opportunity to join an exciting international research project in collaboration with the University of Ottawa, Canada!

Emma McGurk, a master’s student visiting from Canada, will conduct a research stay at Tec de Monterrey (August–October 2025), focused on designing and testing photocatalysts for the oxidative degradation and molecular upgrading of pollutants like furfural and sucralose. These pollutants are relevant to environmental remediation and biomass valorization.

We are seeking a motivated undergraduate student in Chemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, or a related program to serve as a research assistant. The assistant will work side-by-side with Emma in our Renewable Energies Lab, Chemistry Lab, Bioprocesses Lab, Biomics Lab, and Environmental Lab. Tasks include synthesizing nanomaterials, preparing chemical solutions, operating advanced instruments (UV-Vis, FTIR, Raman, HPLC, plate readers), and collecting high-quality experimental data. You’ll also support Emma with daily logistics—offering a warm welcome and helping her navigate the Tec campus and the city of Puebla.

After Emma’s stay, the assistant will continue for at least one more month to complete follow-up experiments, analyze results, and co-develop a scientific publication. This is a unique chance to build international experience, gain advanced lab skills, and contribute to a high-impact environmental project.

• Activity: Safety induction, tour of labs, training in UV-Vis, FTIR, and HPLC
• Labs Involved: Chemistry Lab, Environmental Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Lab safety, solution preparation

• Activity: Assist in nanomaterial synthesis and labeling under Emma’s guidance
• Labs Involved: Chemistry Lab, Bioprocesses Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Weighing, heating, pH control

• Activity: Sample preparation, storage, and cataloging for Design of Experiments (DoE) trials
• Labs Involved: Biomics Lab, Renewable Energies Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Sterile handling, data logging

• Activity: Assist in FTIR, Raman, and UV-Vis-Fluorescence analysis of catalysts
• Labs Involved: Biomics Lab, Chemistry Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Spectroscopy techniques

• Activity: Help set up photocatalytic reactions and prepare test solutions
• Labs Involved: Renewable Energies Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Reactor handling, reaction timing

• Activity: Operate microplate reader and analyze furfural/sucralose degradation
• Labs Involved: Environmental Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Data collection, precise pipetting and handling

• Activity: Assist with HPLC analysis and UV-Vis kinetic measurements
• Labs Involved: Environmental Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Instrument calibration, concentration profiling

• Activity: Continue degradation tests and replicate key experiments
• Labs Involved: Chemistry Lab, Environmental Lab
• Skills/Techniques: Independent experiment execution

• Activity: Data analysis, kinetic modeling, and support in publication writing
• Labs Involved: All labs involved in the project
• Skills/Techniques: Data interpretation (Excel, Origin), figure drafting, manuscript preparation