Juan Pablo Vizuet

2015-2021

Ph.D., Chemistry

The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA

Dr. Kenneth Balkus Jr., Thesis Advisor

2009-2014

B.S., Nanotechnology

Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Cholula, PU, MEX

2013 (6 months)

International educational exchange

The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA

2022-Present

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Dr. Ksenija Glusac, Research Advisor

Department of Chemistry

University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

2017-2021

Research Assistant

Dr. Kenneth Balkus Jr., Supervisor

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA

2015-2017

Teaching Assistant

General Chemistry I & II, Physical Chemistry I & II

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, USA

2014-2015

High School Chemistry Teacher

Instituto Cultural Sucre, A.C., Naucalpan, EM, MEX

2013-2014

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Electrocatalysis Research Laboratory

Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences

Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Cholula, PU, MEX

2015-2020

International Graduate Scholarship

Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT)

2019

Ph.D. Research Small Grant Program

The University of Texas at Dallas

2020

Ph.D. Research Small Grant Program

The University of Texas at Dallas

2022

IKA student leadership award

The University of Texas at Dallas 

2022

Young Investigator Award

ACS Division of Inorganic Chemistry

2016-Present

Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS)

2017-Present

Member of the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science

(SACNAS)

• Brown, A. B.; Lin, J.; Vizuet, J. P.; Milana, T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. “Graphene-like Carbon from Calcium Hydroxide”, ACS Omega, 2021, 6, 46, 31066-31076. DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04305

• Vizuet, J. P.; Mortensen, M. L.; Lewis, A. L.; Wunch, M. A.; Firouzi, H. R.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. “Fluoro-bridged clusters in Rare-Earth Metal-Organic Frameworks”, Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2021, 143, 43, 17995-18000. DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c10493

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. “Holmium-based metal-organic frameworks using the BDC linker”, Polyhedron, 2021, 205, 115283. DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2021.115283

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr. K. J. “Characterization of a Holmium 4,4’-Biphenyldicarboxylate Metal-Organic Framework and Its Potential as a Holmium Carrier System”, Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, 2020, 20, 3019-3024. DOI: 10.1166/jnn.2020.17476

• Vizuet, J. P.; Howlett, T. S.; Lewis, A. L.; Chroust, Z. D.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. “Transition from a 1D Coordination Polymer to a Mixed-Linker Layered MOF”, Inorganic Chemistry, 2019, 58, 5031-5041. DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.9b00077

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. “Synthesis and characterization of a holmium 2,2′-bipyridine-5,5′-dicarboxylate MOF: Towards the construction of a suitable holmium carrier”, Polyhedron, 2019, 159, 12-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.poly.2018.11.036

• Holt, C. J.; Vizuet, J. P.; Musselman, I. H.; Balkus, Jr., K. J.; Ferraris, J. P. “Polymer Blend Membranes for Gas Separations” Ed: Carreon, M. A. Membranes for Gas Separations. World Scientific Series in Membrane Science and Technology: Biological and Biomimetic Applications, Energy and the Environment. World Scientific: Toh Tuck Link, Singapore, 2016; Vol. 1; 195−242. DOI: 10.1142/9789813207714_0005

• Vizuet, J. P.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Invited Lecture on “Rare-earth metal-organic frameworks: From dimers to fluoro-bridged clusters” 264th ACS National Meeting, Chicago, IL, USA. Aug 21-Aug 25, 2022. DIC Young Investigator Awards Symposium.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; Nguyen, J.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Structure effects in Holmium-based MOFs: from dimeric clusters to hexaclusters” ACS DFW Section 53rd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Virtual Meeting hosted by UT Dallas. May 1, 2021. Awarded 3rd  Place Presentation-Inorganic Section.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; Howlett, T. S.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Poster on “Dual functionality metal-organic frameworks for cancer therapy: Radionuclide/radiosensitizer carrier materials.” 259th ACS National Meeting, Virtual Meeting & Expo. August 17-20, 2020. DOI: 10.1021/scimeetings.0c07219

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; Nguyen, J.; Andersen, J. J.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Metal-Organic Frameworks for cancer therapy.” 20/20 Focus on Research Seminar Series, Dallas, TX, USA. May 29, 2020. https://youtu.be/Rn-nlbgQI-w 

• Vizuet, J. P.; Howlett, T. S.; Lewis, A. L.; Chroust, Z. D.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Transformation of a 1D coordination polymer to a mixed-linker layered MOF.” ACS DFW Section 52nd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Denton, TX, USA. April 27, 2019. Awarded 3rd Place Presentation-Inorganic Section.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Howlett, T. S.; Lewis, A. L.; Chroust, Z. D.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Synthesis and characterization of a novel mixed-ligand MOF: from a 1D coordination polymer to a hydrogen-bonded 3D framework.” 257th ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA. March 31-April 4, 2019.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Structure tuning in a series of holmium-based MOFs: Building a radiotherapeutic system.” 257th ACS National Meeting, Orlando, FL, USA. March 31-April 4, 2019.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Poster on “Design, Synthesis and Characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cancer Therapy.” 1st Annual Weeks of Welcome Poster Competition, Dallas, TX, USA. August 24, 2018.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Holmium-based metal-organic framework for gas separations and cancer therapy.” ACS DFW Section 51st Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Dallas, TX, USA. April 21, 2018.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Holmium-based metal-organic framework for gas separations and cancer therapy.” 255th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA, USA. March 18-22, 2018.

• Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Synthesis and Characterization of a Holmium based Metal-Organic Frameworks series for Cancer Therapy.” 1st Atlantic Basin Conference on Chemistry, Cancun, QR, MEX. January 23-26, 2018.

• Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Metal-Organic Frameworks in Polymeric Membranes for Gas Separations.” ACS DFW Section 50th Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Fort Worth, TX, USA. April 29, 2017.

Undergraduate Students Mentored

    Name Dates Current Known Position

George Kostopoulos May 2022-Present UIC

Julie Nguyen Jun 2019-Aug 2021 UTD, pursuing medical school

Joshua Bouton Jan 2019-May 2020                 Lead QC at Henry Co. Dallas, TX

James Andersen Oct 2018-May 2020   UTD, pursuing Ph.D.

Zachary Chroust Sep 2018-Dec 2019   Med. Student at UT Galveston

Kireet Pajjur Jun 2018-Aug 2018       UTD, pursuing medical school

Thomas Howlett Sep 2017-May 2018      PhD. Student at UTD

Abigail Lewis Jun 2017-Present        Med. Student at UTSW

Gary McCuistian May 2017-Aug 2017                 Apprenticeship at Springboard

Undergraduate Students Presentations and Posters

• Lewis, A. L.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Holmium Hexaclusters in Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cancer Therapy” ACS DFW Section 53rd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Virtual Meeting hosted by UT Dallas. May 1, 2021. Awarded Most Creative Presentation-Undergraduate Section.

• Nguyen, J.; Vizuet, J. P.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Encapsulation of Iron Nanoparticles in Holmium Metal Organic Frameworks for Cancer Therapy” ACS DFW Section 53rd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Virtual Meeting hosted by UT Dallas. May 1, 2021.

• Nguyen, J.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Poster on “Synthesis of Holmium Metal Organic Frameworks for Potential Cancer Therapy.” Clark Summer Research Program Poster Presentation, Dallas, TX, USA. August 2, 2019.

• Lewis, A. L.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “A series of Holmium-based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cancer Therapy.” ACS DFW Section 52nd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Denton, TX, USA. April 27, 2019. Awarded 2nd Place Presentation-Undergraduate Section.

• Chroust, Z. D.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Metal-Organic Frameworks” ACS DFW Section 52nd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Denton, TX, USA. April 27, 2019. Awarded 3rd Place Presentation-Undergraduate Section.

• Andersen, J. J.; Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Assembly of a Metal-Organic Framework Device for Cancer Therapy.” ACS DFW Section 52nd Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Denton, TX, USA. April 27, 2019.

• Andersen, J. J.; Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Poster on “Assembly of a Metal-Organic Framework Device for Cancer Therapy.” Undergraduate Research Scholar Award Poster Competition, Dallas, TX, USA. April 16, 2019.

• Pajjur, K. R.; Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Poster on “Synthesis and characterization of Metal-Organic Frameworks for O2/N2 separation.” Clark Summer Research Program Poster Presentation, Dallas, TX, USA. August 3, 2018.

• Lewis, A. L.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Synthesis of Holmium-based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Cancer Therapy.” ACS DFW Section 51st Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Dallas, TX, USA. April 21, 2018.

• Howlett, T. S.; Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Contributed Lecture on “Encapsulation of Iron Nanoparticles with Holmium-Based Materials for Targeted Cancer Therapy.” ACS DFW Section 51st Annual Meeting-in-Miniature, Dallas, TX, USA. April 21, 2018.

• Lewis, A. L.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Poster on “Synthesis of Holmium-based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Storage and Delivery of Nitric Oxide.” Undergraduate Research Scholar Award Poster Competition, Dallas, TX, USA. April 17, 2018.

• Howlett, T. S.; Vizuet, J. P.; Lewis, A. L.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Poster on “Encapsulation of Iron Nanoparticles with Holmium-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks for Targeted Cancer Therapy.” Undergraduate Research Scholar Award Poster Competition, Dallas, TX, USA. April 17, 2018. Competition finalist.

• Lewis, A. L.; Vizuet, J. P.; McCandless, G. T.; Balkus, Jr., K. J. Poster on “Synthesis of Holmium Based Metal-Organic Materials for Storage and Delivery of Nitric Oxide.” Clark Summer Research Program Poster Presentation, Dallas, TX, USA. August 4, 2017.

Awards Received by Undergraduate Students

Name Award Year

   James Andersen Undergraduate Research Scholar Award 2019-2020

   Abigail Lewis Undergraduate Research Scholar Award 2019-2020

   James Andersen Undergraduate Research Scholar Award 2018-2019

   Thomas Howlett      Undergraduate Research Scholar Award 2017-2018

   Abigail Lewis Undergraduate Research Scholar Award 2017-2018