Biography
De Vizcaya-Ruiz is an award-winning expert in environmental toxicology whose research focuses on the effects of particulate matter, microplastics, and nanomaterials toxicity on the human body. Using in vitro and in vivo models, she assesses different physiological responses – from issue injury and inflammation to oxidative stress – that arise after exposure to different environmental and occupational hazards.
Research Interests
She has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, in addition to 10 book chapters and short reviews on toxicology. De Vizcaya-Ruiz also has active interdisciplinary collaborations with other research groups in Mexico, the Netherlands, Canada, and across the U.S.
In addition to her role as Associate Professor, De Vizcaya-Ruiz also participates in several research initiatives across the university. These include the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH), Air Pollution Health Effects Lab (APHEL), and UCI Atmospheric Integrated Research unit (AirUCI). Outside of her various roles at UCI, she has also participated as an advisor for the Mexican Ministry of Health, the Mexican Ministry of Environment and the Mexico City Government to help establish guidelines on air pollution and regulation of nanomaterials safety. She also serves as a member of the Editorial Board of Particle and Fibre Toxicology and as an active member of the US Society of Toxicology and the Mexican Society of Toxicology.
Honors and Awards
2011 Young Investigator Award, Inhalation Respiratory Speciality Section, Society of Toxicology, USA.
2015 1st place – Award in innovation in BioNanoTechnology for the study Protein corona as a tool to selectively direct iron oxide nanoparticles to macrophages and increase their biocompatibility and efficiency, awarded by Cinvestav and Neolpharma Inc., Mexico City, Mexico.
2016 Travel Award for Aidee Solorio Rodriguez (PhD student), “Formation and Characterization of Protein Corona Around of SiO2-PEG-Tf NP and Its Implications in Cellular Uptake”. presented in the 8th International Nanotoxicology Congress 2016. 1 – 4 Jun, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
2016 3rd place- IUTOX Trainee Award – Best poster awarded to Vicente Escamilla Rivera (PhD student), “In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility evaluation of hydroxyapatite coatings deposited by high velocity oxygen fuel on micromplants for bone prosthetic applications” presented at the XIV International Congress of Toxicology 2016. Oct 3 – 6, Mérida, México.
2021 Meeting Award – to Josefina Poblano Bata (MSc student), Chemical and toxicological characterization of the Extracted Organic Matter of PM2.5 collected in the north of the AMVM. Latin American Association of Environmental Mutagenesis, Carcinogenesis and Teratogenesis Virtual 2021, Oct 21-23, Virtual, host country Mexico.
