معرفی
Gerardo U Lopez is a Researcher at the University of Arizona, affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. He has been actively involved in research and extension since 2015, focusing on environmental microbiology, food and water safety, and STEM outreach. He contributes to undergraduate and graduate research supervision and leads Cooperative Extension programs in 4-H STEM education.
- Ph.D. in Environmental Microbiology, University of Arizona
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, University of Arizona
- M.A.T. in Secondary Education, Western New Mexico University
- B.S. in Botany and Zoology (minor in Chemistry), Western New Mexico University
Dr. Lopez’s research spans environmental microbiology, pathogen transmission dynamics, disinfection science, and microbial risk assessment in agricultural and domestic settings. His work emphasizes the transfer of pathogens via fomites, water and food safety, and the effectiveness of disinfection interventions. He also actively promotes STEM education through virtual reality, robotics, and agricultural technology outreach programs.
The most recent publications highlight a strong trend in food and waterborne pathogen detection, particularly Cyclospora cayetanensis, E. coli, and norovirus, using advanced molecular and modeling techniques. His research integrates environmental engineering, public health microbiology, and educational technology, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to solving pressing food safety and STEM engagement challenges.
- Extension Faculty of the Year Award CALS Cooperative Extension, Fall 2021
- Faculty Fellow, Arizona Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics Scholars (ASEMS) program, Fall 2018
- Certificate of Excellence, School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Spring 2017
- School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Fall 2016
Dr. Lopez advises undergraduate and graduate students through directed research courses and leads federally and institutionally funded extension projects in food safety and STEM education. He collaborates with interdisciplinary teams across environmental science, public health, and educational outreach. His grants support youth engagement in agriculture and technology, including virtual farming, drone curricula, and robotics camps.
Dr. Lopez is actively involved in the University of Arizona Food Safety Consortium and leads research initiatives related to pathogen detection in irrigation waters and agricultural environments. He mentors youth through 4-H STEM programs and coordinates multi-state educational projects focused on digital agriculture, robotics, and food safety awareness.
