Diego Ballestero Fernández

Diego Ballestero Fernández is a Lecturer at the School of Health Sciences, San Jorge University, where he has been a faculty member since 2015. He teaches Analytical Techniques, Pharmaceutical Chemistry I, and General and Inorganic Chemistry across Pharmacy and dual-degree programs, and serves as Final Degree Project director.

Education:

• Doctorate in Environment (2015), San Jorge University
• Licentiate in Chemical Sciences (2007), University of Zaragoza

His research bridges environmental and pharmaceutical sciences, focusing on nanomaterial synthesis for mercury capture in coal plants, antimicrobial characterization of natural compounds, in-silico bioactivity prediction, and life cycle analysis. This work integrates toxicology, sustainable materials science, and drug discovery methodologies to address environmental contamination and therapeutic development.

Scientific Recognition:

• Sexenio de Investigación (Research Six-Year Period Award)

As an academic leader, he directs three doctoral theses and chairs the Doctoral Program in Environment's Academic Commission. His educational innovation spans active learning methodologies, bilingual instruction, and service-learning projects, documented in higher education research publications and conference presentations. He actively mentors students in thesis development and research methodology.

He leads the Eco2CHEM-GATHERS research group (Government of Aragon Reference Group E39_20R), specializing in environmental nanomaterials and natural product applications, and contributes to pharmaceutical laboratory management through the Master's program in Technical Direction of Pharmaceutical Laboratories.