Nelson Vinueza Benitez

Bio

Bio

Dr. Vinueza was born and raised in Quito-Ecuador; his formal education began at Colegio Americano de Quito (School). Later Dr. Vinueza obtained his B.S. in Industrial Chemistry and B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. He then earned his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from Purdue University, under the mentorship of Professor Hilkka Kenttämaa, where he studied the chemical reactivity of carbon-center tri- and tetraradicals as a way to design better cancer drugs, Also, during this time he complete all the requirements of Purdue’s Forensic Minor program.In 2010, Dr. Vinueza was a Post-doctoral fellow of the Department of Energy (DOE) in the Center of Direct Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to Biofuels (C3BIO) an Energy Frontiers Research Center, at Purdue University. During this time Vinueza’s research focus was the development of new mass spectrometry methods for the analysis of lignin and cellulose degradation products as well as bio-oil.Prior to joining NC State as an Assistant Professor, Dr. Vinueza was part of the Proyecto Prometeo of Ecuador, which is an initiative of the Ecuadorian government to enhance the productivity and research of national institutions and to attract top scientists. As part of Prometeo, Dr. Vinueza joined the Ecuadorian Prosecutor’s Office (Fiscalia General del Estado del Ecuador) to advance the area of Forensic Sciences. During this time, he managed the process of opening three new forensic national laboratories and demonstrating their capabilities to the national authorities and to the national press. Dr. Vinueza was in charge of setting up the laboratories of chemistry, biology and histopathology, as well as training in the area of criminalistics, forensic and analytical chemistry for the 45 new scientists of the three new forensic centers.Also, as part of the Prometeo project he was involved in the development of the chemistry program of the new research university Yachay, one of biggest investment of the actual government.

Research

Research in the Vinueza group centers around three aspects of mass spectrometry (MS): fundamentals, instrumentation and applications. Fundamental studies aimed to enhance the analytical capabilities of mass spectrometry focus on the characterization of dyes from the recent donated Max Weaver dye library, with around 100,000 dyes.

Instrumentation development includes a wide range of projects in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), chromatography and microfluidics. We are currently utilizing microfluidics to extract dyes from fibers in combination with a quadrupole-time-of-flight for a faster characterization.

Applications of MS techniques developed in our group include studies in biofuels and forensic analysis. Current projects include characterization of bio-oil from lignocellulose biomass, sequencing of oligosaccharides and fast analysis of chemicals of forensic interest, such as dyes, inks, fibers, polymers and drugs. These applications involve direct collaboration with colleagues in other departments on campus and around the world.

Mass spectrometry, chromatography, FT-Raman, FT-IR, organic synthesis and gas-phase ion chemistry are central tools for the lab.

Education

Post-doctoral fellow C3Bio, DOE EFRC (Energy Frontiers Research Center) Research Focus: Develop mass spectrometry methods for the analysis of lignin and cellulose degradation products as well as bio-oilPurdue University 2012

Ph.D. Physical Organic Chemistry Purdue University 2010

Dissertation Reactivity Studies of Charged σ,σ,σ-Triradicals Using the Distonic Ion Approach and Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

B.S. Chemical Engineering Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito-Ecuado 2003

B.S. Industrial Chemistry Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito-Ecuado 2001

View all publications here.

Areas of Expertise

• Analytical Chemistry
• Color Science
• Dyeing and Finishing
• Forensics
• Sustainability
• Textile Chemistry