Maria Soto

Maria’s first research experience was at the California State University, Northridge as a biomedical researcher for the National Institutes of Health, BUILD PODER where she focused on organic chemical synthesis and bio-specification of medicinal molecules. After her bitter-sweet goodbye with medicine, she started a new position as a research assistant at the California State University, Long Beach where she conducted research on shale-gas produced-water chemical compositions to design a closed-loop reverse osmosis treatment process with environmental implications. While still enjoying the sunny beaches at CSULB, her new project investigated the design of a multi-dimension layered calcite contactor as a manganese sorption groundwater treatment and simultaneous remineralizer. Then, her fascination with green material engineering guided her to the University of California, Santa Barbara (whose beaches were also stunning) where she gained experience in polymerization with inverse vulcanization to configure a mechanically tunable and thermally curable elastomer. Finally, she arrived at a culmination of all her interests and the Advanced Water Technology Research Center at the University of California, Los Angeles granted her an opportunity to elevate her proficiency with separation processes and data analysis to contribute to the ambitious establishment of a virtual water district.