Jose M. Arguello

Jose M. Arguello is the Walter and Miriam Rutman Distinguished Professor in Chemistry & Biochemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). His primary affiliation is with the College of Science, where he leads research on microbial metal homeostasis. He holds a Biological Chemist degree from Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (1979) and a PhD in Biological Sciences from Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto (1985).

Research focuses on understanding how pathogenic and beneficial bacteria regulate micronutrient metals like copper, zinc, and iron to interact with host organisms. Key areas include transmembrane metal transporters, virulence mechanisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and ATPase metal selectivity. Methodologies involve structural biology, biophysics, and collaborative techniques like X-ray fluorescence.

Notable honors include Fulbright Scholar (2018), AAAS Fellow (2016), and multiple WPI Board of Trustees awards. He maintains active collaborations through the BioPoint interdisciplinary group and mentors students across levels in his lab.

Current projects explore Salmonella pathogenesis mechanisms and copper's role in cell defense. His lab offers MQP opportunities and emphasizes interdisciplinary training in metallomics and microbial physiology.