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}

Lung Research • Mucus Biophysics & ENDS

Airway epithelial models and mucus biophysics focused on PG/VG (e-cigarette solvents), secretion, swelling kinetics, and polymer dynamics.

Selected Work

Mucus swelling kinetics (video microscopy + analysis)
ELLA/lectin assays (WGA-based secretion quantification)
Airway cell models (A549, BEAS2B, primary epithelial cells)
Polymer dynamics (aggregation/transport concepts)

Publications & Manuscripts (Lung)

Lung / Airway

[Add your lung manuscript/paper] — (ENDS solvents / mucus / secretion).
[Add another lung paper] — (rock dust / viscosity / airway mucus).

Tip: we can add DOI links + “Featured” tags.

Marine / Environmental

Marine & Environmental • EfOM, Microgels, Nanoplastics

Environmental chemistry/biophysics work on effluent organic matter (EfOM), microgel formation, and interactions with salts, temperature, and nanoplastics.

Selected Work

EfOM microgel formation under ionic strength and temperature changes
Nanoplastics effects on assembly and gel formation
Polymer/colloid behavior in aquatic systems

Publications (Marine / Environmental)

Marine / Environmental

[STOTEN 2024] — EfOM assembly with nanoplastics and NaCl.
[Polymers 2022] — Temperature effects on microgel formation.
[STOTEN 2020] — Nanoplastics induce microgel formation.
[Marine Chemistry 2020] — EPS P/C ratio changes (oil/Corexit).

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}

GitHub Projects

Selected public repositories and code projects.

Contact

Best way to reach me:

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