معرفی
Radamés J.B. Cordero is an Associate Research Professor and the Gilbert Otto Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology. His research bridges microbiology, biophysics, and environmental science, focusing on fungal thermoregulation, survival in extreme environments, and applications in astromycology and sustainable biotechnologies.
- PhD, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (2012)
- MS, Albert Einstein School of Medicine (2009)
- BS, University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo (2005)
Dr. Cordero's research investigates how fungi regulate temperature, particularly through evaporative cooling and pigment-mediated heat capture. He discovered the hypothermic nature of fungi, demonstrating that yeasts and molds maintain lower temperatures than their surroundings, leading to the invention of the MycoCooler for passive air conditioning. His work on melanin has revealed its critical role in radioprotection, structural stability in space, and mechanical stress resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans. These findings open new avenues in astrobiology, space medicine, and green technology.
His recent publications span topics such as fungal biocomposites in low Earth orbit, neutron scattering of polysaccharides, and the role of melanin in spaceflight resilience. The articles reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend combining microbiology, materials science, and space biology, with increasing emphasis on biotechnological applications and environmental sustainability.
- 2024: Gilbert Otto Endowed Professor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- 2021: Phase II SBIR/STTR Award (DoD)
- 2020: NASA Center Innovation Fund
- 2019: Phase I SBIR/STTR Award (DoD)
- 2018: JHU Seed Grant Technology Accelerator
- 2017: Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research Faculty Development Award
Dr. Cordero actively mentors graduate students and develops innovative coursework, emphasizing the commercialization of scientific discoveries. He has secured multiple grants from federal and institutional sources, including NASA, DoD, and JHU, supporting his work in fungal biotechnology and innovation. His laboratory fosters curiosity-driven research and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with Dr. Arturo Casadevall. He also advocates for science communication and inclusive scientific training.
His research is conducted through interdisciplinary projects in thermal biology of fungi, astromycology, and the structure and function of the cryptococcal capsule, often in collaboration with national and international partners.
