PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo
Assistant Professor
I began my academic studies with a B.S. in Environmental Sciences from University Pablo de Olavide (2007) with a minor in Biotechnology. My graduate training was first focused on Education. After earning an M.S. in Biology Education, I decided to focus on research, and to pursue an M.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (2012) and a Ph.D. in Environmental Agrochemistry (2015) from the University of Seville. I started my postdoctoral training at Oregon State University (OSU) in 2016 at the Linus Pauling Institute. In 2017 joined the College of Public Health and Human Sciences at OSU as a Research Associate, and in 2018 the OSU Mass Spectrometry Center as a Project Specialist. The same year, I was awarded a 2-year USDA-NIFA Postdoctoral Fellowship; and, in 2020, a NIH R90 Postdoctoral Fellowship. In 2021, I joined the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at OSU. I am also affiliated with the OSU Environmental Health Sciences Center, the OSU Environmental Sciences Graduate Program, and with the NUNM's (National University of Natural Medicine) Helfgott Research Institute.
My lab relies on state-of-the-art high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), combining suspect and non-target screening (NTS) to help expand the coverage of current water monitoring strategies. Suspect candidates can be prioritized based on their potential risk (i.e., hazard and exposure) by combining in vitro toxicity data with computational toxicity predictions. We combine this risk-based approach with effects-directed analysis (EDA), for the identification of unknown toxic chemical contaminants in water and their prioritization based on bioactivity and environmental concentrations. In addition, we use targeted and non-targeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics and lipidomics analyses, combined with genomics techniques, to better understand the impact of contaminants on animals and human health, and disease progression.
FACULTY RESEARCH ASSISTANTS
Jason Schindler
I am a Faculty Research Assistant for the Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo and Water Quality Lab in the Environmental and Molecular Toxicology department. I focus most of my support towards the Superfund Research Center Project 5 bioremediation and environmental sampling of parent and metabolism-products of poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Most of my analytics utilize GCMS and HR-LCMS. I received my HBS in chemistry at OSU, spent many years as an analytical chemist at Sarepta Therapeutics and OSU’s Wood Science and Engineering wood preservative and environmental research lab. I completed an MA in Environmental Arts & Humanities at OSU studying the philosophy of science and the environment and have a Graduate Teaching Certificate in College and University Teaching. I lived abroad for several years in Japan and also regularly practice Aikido, play a variety of tabletop games, organize community social dance, and enjoy Oregon’s wonderful ecologies.
Kenneth Lee
Ken is a Faculty Research Assistant and joined Manuel’s team in September 2022. Previously, he was an FRA in Dr. Tory Hagen’s lab at The Linus Pauling Institute studying mitochondrial health, aging, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Ken is a graduate of UC San Diego (B.S., Physiology, 2000) and was a drug discovery biologist at Cytokinetics, a biotech company developing novel small molecules for the treatment of heart disease and muscle myopathies. Ken lives in Corvallis with his daughters, Hana (9) and Ami (5). He enjoys music, hiking, cooking, podcasts, and baseball.
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Chloe Fender
I am a third year PhD student and NIH T32 Predoctoral Fellow working in the Water Quality Toxicology Lab (Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, OSU) under the supervision of Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo. I graduated in 2019 with a BS in Biology from Westminster College in Salt Lake City. My current research uses high-resolution mass spectrometry as a tool to characterize chemical contaminants in natural and human-made aqueous systems, including irrigation canals and rivers. Chemical information, combined with in silico and in vitro toxicological approaches is used to evaluate potential toxic effects and to prioritize chemicals for further monitoring and regulation based on their risk for ecosystems health and affected human populations. She enjoys being outside, especially in rivers, and cooking good meals.
Miranda Jackson
I am second-year PhD student in the Environmental and Molecular Toxicology department. I am particularly interested in aquatic ecotoxicology. My current research involves investigating the toxicity of micro and nano-sized rubber particles and 6PPD-quinone, a transformation product of an antioxidant added to tires that has been suspected to be correlated with mass salmon mortality events in the PNW. I hope to elucidate mechanisms of toxicity of particle, leachate, and individual chemical components present in stormwater runoff in various fish species.
Harshil Sankalchand Patel
I am currently enrolled in the first year of the Professional Science Master's program in Environmental Sciences with track of water resources. Through this program, I aim to develop expertise in addressing various water-related challenges by gaining hands-on experience and cutting-edge knowledge. I am interning in Dr. Manuel's water quality lab since June 2023, where I am conducting my Non-thesis project on Transport of Micropollutants during electrodialysis treatment of anaerobic effluent. The project involves studying the transportation of antibiotics from anaerobically treated wastewater using electrodialysis and monitor on LC-MS, which aligns well with my academic and research interests in sustainable water treatment technologies. Outside of my studies and research, I enjoy dancing, as it allows me to express myself creatively and stay active. I also find cooking to be a relaxing hobby, as it combines my interests in food, science, and culture. Additionally, I love playing badminton and try to participate in games whenever I get a chance. The diverse set of activities helps me maintain a balanced lifestyle during my graduate studies.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Cristina Marcia Maestu
I am a 5th year biochemistry and molecular biology major with an interest in environmental forensic toxicology. I have been working with the Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo lab since summer 2023 on a bioassay for high-throughput effect-directed analysis. Other than my work in the lab, I enjoy art, escape rooms, cooking, and trying new things.
Adrienne J La Joie
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in microbiology with minors in chemistry and toxicology. I joined the Garcia-Jaramillo lab in the spring of 2023 and have been helping with ongoing projects, specifically with non-target data processing and library building for mass spectrometry analysis. My interests include cooking, going for walks, and exploring the area with my friends.
Lara Rivera
I am a senior at OSU majoring in Nutrition and Health Sciences with an option in Pre-Medicine. I joined Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo’s research laboratory in May of 2023. My main project has been continuing the development of an endogenous metabolite library for accurate identification of metabolites in LC-HRMS metabolomics analysis. After college, I hope to continue doing research on the effects of environmental pollutants on human health. In my downtime, I enjoy reading, crocheting, and exploring Oregon.
Katrina Brown
Hello! My name is Katrina (Katy) Brown and I use she/her pronouns. I am a third-year undergraduate here at Oregon State majoring in chemistry with options in forensic science and environmental science, and a toxicology minor. My research interests lie in the field of environmental forensic toxicology. I joined Dr. Manuel Garcia-Jaramillo's research group in July of 2021. In the lab, I focus on the detection of highly polar compounds in water samples. Outside of the lab I enjoy a variety of crafts (crochet, embroidery, painting, etc), baking, and exploring the Oregon coast.
Makenzie Williamson
I’m a fourth-year undergraduate at OSU majoring in chemistry with a focus in advanced lab studies and math. I’ve been working in the Environmental and Molecular Toxicology department for the summer, and hope to continue through the school year. My time is usually spent helping out with ongoing projects in the lab. I am also working on my own project designing a workflow to develop accurate retention time predictions for molecules in reverse-phase liquid chromatography columns to improve metabolite identification in HR-LCMS.