Carlos I. Vazquez
Polymer Aggregation (sim)
Brownian motion + sticky collisions
Tip: refresh for a new random seed

PhD • Quantitative & Systems Biology • UC Merced

Carlos Ignacio Vazquez

Scientist with experience in airway epithelial models, mucus biophysics (swelling kinetics, rheology), lectin-based assays (ELLA), DLS, and computational workflows (Python/Unix). :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Download CV (PDF) View Publications
Email cvazquez3@ucmerced.edu
Phone 209-424-6240

About

My work focuses on the biophysical and cellular effects of e-cigarette solvents (propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin), nicotine, and particulate stressors on airway mucus and epithelial responses. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Education

  • Ph.D. Quantitative & Systems Biology, UC Merced (2018–May 2025 expected) :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
  • M.S. Quantitative & Systems Biology, UC Merced (2018–Dec 2020 expected) :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
  • B.S. Bioengineering, UC Merced (2015–2018) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}

Current / Recent Roles

  • Graduate Student Researcher, UC Merced (Fall 2018–Spring 2025) :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
  • Teaching Assistant, UC Merced (Spring 2020–Fall 2022) :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

Experience

Graduate Research — Wei Chun Chin Lab (UC Merced)

2019–Present
  • Worked with A549, BEAS2B, and primary bovine tracheal epithelial cells. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
  • Performed mucus swelling kinetics via video-enhanced microscopy with JUUL e-liquid, PG, VG. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
  • Quantified hypersecretion using ELLA; implemented computer vision on microscopy videos. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
  • Used LC–MS to assess mucus proteome changes. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}

Graduate Research — Wei Chun Chin Lab (UC Merced)

2018–2019
  • Assessed nicotine and rock dust effects on mucin swelling/aggregation in BEAS2B and A549. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
  • Performed swelling kinetics and DLS; quantified hypersecretion via ELLA. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
  • Used LC–MS to characterize chemical leaching from rock dust coatings. :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}

Intern — Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Berkeley

2023
  • Benchmarked sequence similarity tools using minhashing algorithms. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}
  • Ran reproducible benchmarks on NERSC HPC using Docker; strong Unix/Linux workflows. :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
  • Used BioPython and shell tooling for genomic data tasks. :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

Teaching (UC Merced)

2020–2022
  • Taught Bio 02 Lab (Spring 2020, Spring 2021) and Bio 110 Discussion (Fall 2020). :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
  • Mentored and trained undergraduates in DLS, ELLA/ELISA, and swelling kinetics. :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}

Publications

Draft Manuscripts

  1. Vazquez, C.I., Chin, W.C. (2025). Impact of VG/PG on CICR pathway and mucus secretion. Scientific Reports. :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}

Published Papers

  1. Chang, H.M., Zhang, Y., Hashimoto, C., Vazquez, C.I., et al. (2024). Paper-based polypyrrole/rGO sensor for SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering. :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
  2. Vazquez, C.I., Chang, H.M., Chin, W.C. (2024). Effluent organic matter assembly with nanoplastic and NaCl. Science of the Total Environment. :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
  3. Chang, H.M., Vazquez, C.I., Shiu, R.F., Chin, W.C. (2022). Temperature effects on effluent microgel formation. Polymers. :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}
  4. Tsai, Y.Y., Vazquez, C.I., Shiu, R.F.*, et al. (2021). Rock dust particles on airway mucus viscosity. Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering. :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}
  5. Chen, C.S., Shiu, R.F., Hsieh, Y.Y., Xu, C., Vazquez, C.I., et al. (2021). EPS stickiness via magnetic tweezers. Science of the Total Environment. :contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}
  6. Shiu, R.F., Vazquez, C.I., Tsai, Y.Y., et al. (2020). Nanoplastics induce microgel formation. Science of the Total Environment. :contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}
  7. Shiu, R.F., Vazquez, C.I., Chiang, C.Y., et al. (2020). Nano/microplastics trigger protein-rich EPS secretion. Science of the Total Environment. :contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}
  8. Shiu, R.F., Chiu, M.H., Vazquez, C.I., et al. (2020). EPS P/C ratio changes induced by oil/Corexit. Marine Chemistry. :contentReference[oaicite:34]{index=34}
  9. Kamalanathan, M., Chiu, M.H., Bacosa, H., et al. (2019). Polysaccharides in diatoms/bacteria in hydrocarbon presence. Plant Physiology. :contentReference[oaicite:35]{index=35}
  10. Chiu, M.H., Vazquez, C.I., Shiu, R.F., et al. (2019). Crude oil/Corexit impact on EPS aggregation. Science of the Total Environment. :contentReference[oaicite:36]{index=36}

Professional Presentations

  • UC Systemwide Bioengineering Symposium (2019) — Rock dust particles & nicotine effects. :contentReference[oaicite:37]{index=37}
  • BIOE Young Investigator Symposium (2022) — E-cigarette liquid components & mucus rheology. :contentReference[oaicite:38]{index=38}
  • Mucins in Health & Disease (2024) — VG/PG impact on mucin swelling kinetics. :contentReference[oaicite:39]{index=39}

Skills & Trainings

Technical Skills

  • Python, UNIX/Linux :contentReference[oaicite:40]{index=40}
  • Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) :contentReference[oaicite:41]{index=41}
  • ELLA / ELISA :contentReference[oaicite:42]{index=42}
  • Video-enhanced microscopy; swelling kinetics :contentReference[oaicite:43]{index=43}
  • Cell culture: A549, BEAS2B, primary bovine epithelial cells :contentReference[oaicite:44]{index=44}
  • LC–MS exposure/usage :contentReference[oaicite:45]{index=45}

Trainings & Certifications

  • SEM, Confocal microscopy, Flow cytometry :contentReference[oaicite:46]{index=46}
  • CITI Human Research training :contentReference[oaicite:47]{index=47}
  • HPC training :contentReference[oaicite:48]{index=48}
  • Blood Borne Pathogens, Biosafety, Radiation Safety (Machines), Flow Cytometry :contentReference[oaicite:49]{index=49}
  • PhD Candidacy achieved (7/11/2020) :contentReference[oaicite:50]{index=50}
  • Fellowships: Ruiz (2020), Central Valley (2023), UC PPFP (2023–2024) :contentReference[oaicite:51]{index=51}

Contact

Best way to reach me:

  • Email: cvazquez3@ucmerced.edu :contentReference[oaicite:52]{index=52}
  • Phone: 209-424-6240 :contentReference[oaicite:53]{index=53}

Tip: add this link to your resume as “Portfolio/Website: carlosivazquez.com”.