Zulema Vargas Osorio

Dr. Zulema Vargas Osorio is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Biomaterials at FunGlass Centre, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Slovakia. She holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and has over 15 years of research experience in nanomaterials development for biomedical applications. As a Level II Researcher granted by the Slovak Academy of Sciences, she supervises PhD students and manages the Chemical Laboratory at FunGlass Centre.

Dr. Vargas specializes in designing and developing novel multifunctional platforms for biomedical applications, particularly in bone tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, and diagnostic tools. Her research focuses on mesoporous silica materials, magnetic nanoparticles, and biopolymer composites for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. She has pioneered work on SBA-15-type mesoporous ceramics, theranostic devices, MRI contrast agents, and fluorescent labels for cell tracking applications.

Her publication record shows a strong trajectory with articles in high-impact journals including Microporous and Mesoporous Materials (IF 5.876), Journal of Materials Chemistry B (IF 7.571), Nanomaterials (IF 5.719), Food Chemistry (IF 9.231), Environmental Pollution (IF 9.988) and Journal of Nanobiotechnology (IF 10.435). Her research spans multiple disciplines including materials science, nanotechnology, biomedical engineering, and environmental science.

Among her scientific recognitions are:

• Level II Researcher granted by the Slovak Academy of Sciences
• Level 1 Researcher (SNI1) by CONACyT, Mexico (2017)
• Summa Cum Laude distinctions during PhD and Master studies
• Alfonso Caso Medal granted by UNAM Chancellor
• 3rd place of the Youth Prize of Mexico City

Dr. Vargas actively participates in international research projects including FunGlass (Horizon 2020), CLiCAM, GlaCerHub, EVERGLASS, and BiCeps. She has supervised PhD students and teaches courses in nanomaterials for biomedical applications and sol-gel processes. Her laboratory work focuses on developing bioactive composite scaffolds with high drug loading capacity for bone and dental tissue engineering applications.