Professor Insignia Rómulo Garza 2015. Professor Marco Rito-Palomares obtained his first degree with Honors in Biochemical Food Engineering and his M.Sc. degree in Chemical Engineering in Mexico. He obtained his PhD in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering from University of Birmingham, U.K. He did a postdoctoral training at the University of Cambridge. He joined Tecnológico de Monterrey under the CONACyT repatriated researchers¿ program. Currently, he is the Director of the Institute for Obesity Research.
The contributions of Professor Rito-Palomares have been focused on the technology development for the separation of high-value products for industrial purposes like in food, biotechnology, and biology, using aqueous two-phase systems. Particularly, his research is based on the study of the mechanisms that give rise to the formation of phases and partitioning behavior of solutes present in these systems, allowing the development and further scale-up of bioprocesses, purification of stem cells using non-conventional techniques for their application in chronic-degenerative diseases. In collaboration with the University of Houston developed a methodology to detect a biological indicator in saliva to determinate possible risks associated to type II diabetes.
In Mexico, Dr. Rito-Palomares is recognized as a pioneer in the recovery and purification area of bioproducts. He has been distinguished by the National System of Researchers at the highest level, corresponding to Level III. He is member of the Mexican Academy of Sciences and has obtained twice the National Award of Science and Food Technology, highest recognition in the area. He is editor-in-chief of the journal of Food Bioproducts Processing and Executive Editor of Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology. He is member of the International Society of Molecular Recognition (Portugal), International Foundation for Science (Sweden), American Chemical Society (United States), and Society of Chemical Industry (England). He was distinguished as Visiting Professor and Visiting Bye-Fellow from the University of Cambridge. He also obtained a Royal Society scholarship.
Professor Rito-Palomares has published more than 200 scientific publications, H index of 45, participated in more than 300 talks at national and international congresses. He has been a member of more than 10 organizing committees of congresses. His technological developments have been granted a total of 20 patents. He has supervised 14 postdoctoral researchers, 25 Ph.D. students and 30 master students.
The career of Professor Rito-Palomares is recognized that combines high-level scientific research, successful technological development, relevant contribution in the formation of highly trained human resources, and commitment for the promotion and development of science.
mrito@tec.mx
