About me
Gerardo U. Lopez, M.A.T., M.Ed., Ph.D. is an Associate Extension Specialist in 4-H STEM and an Assistant Professor in Food Safety and Environmental Microbiology at The University of Arizona, School of Animal and Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Lopez leads a statewide Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Leadership Team that implements a 4-H STEM Program, which brings engaging, problem-based learning and critical thinking STEM projects to underrepresented, urban and rural youth across the state of AZ. These projects include the Greenhouse Sustainable Energy Engineering Design, (SEED); Cross Reality, Underwater Robotics; STEM Ambassador. Dr. Lopez’s interest in preparing the next generation of STEM professionals extends from youth STEM programing to undergraduate and graduate student research opportunities through his Food Safety and Environmental Microbiology Research program where he has mentored more than 50 undergraduate and graduate students combined. Dr. Lopez’s research program focuses primarily on the protozoan parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis in determining the occurrence and prevalence of Cyclospora in agricultural waters and fresh produce using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), droplet digital (ddPCR) molecular methods, next generation sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore MinION platform. Dr. Lopez research also focuses on understanding the presence and transmission of microbial pathogens in indoor and outdoor environments to developing better hygienic strategies in reducing the risk of exposure to harmful viruses and bacterial pathogens.
