About Rodrigo
I was born and raised in Mexico City where I graduated in 2004 with a doctorate degree in biomedical sciences from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Both my parents went to UNAM, my mother is a retired MD and my father an economist with his own business. I was fortunate enough to have grown up in an environment where knowledge, education and hard work was encouraged and set as an example. My doctorate degree was in neurochemistry and physiology under the advice of Dr. Herminia Pasantes-Morales. I came to U.S. in 2004 to do a postdoctoral training at the Laboratory of Signal Transduction under the mentorship of Dr. John A Cidlowski at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS/NIH) in North Carolina, where I focused on mechanisms of cell death and redox homeostasis. I have had the opportunity to travel and live in different places and countries which has led me to define myself a “citizen of the world” and value diversity and inclusion.
What is your position at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
I was recently promoted to full professor at the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (SVMBS) where I established my research program in 2009. I am member of the Redox Biology Center and more recently member of the Nebraska Center for Virology and UNMC’s Department of Environmental, Agricultural & Occupational Health. I am also Faculty Ombuds at UNL since 2019 acting as a resource for faculty seeking to resolve difficulties that interfere with their work.
What drew you to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
After my postdoc, I was lucky enough to have opportunities to go back to Mexico to start my independent academic and research career. Then, I realized I could offer my kids a better quality of living in this country. Back then, during the “Great Recession” (2008-2009), it was difficult to find academic positions in U.S., but UNL was recruiting faculty to join the Redox Biology Center, and their research priorities aligned with mine. In all honestly, when I was offered the position, I did not know what to expect from Nebraska. I couldn’t have made a better choice for my academic career and for raising my kids. To my very pleasant surprise, I have found a welcoming and respectful environment, great collaborators and friends.
What aspect of working in an educational setting do you enjoy the most?
Learning and discovering. The thrill of finding something new and interesting regardless of whether it proves or disproves your hypothesis. I enjoy mentoring and teaching students at different stages in their academic education and training, but I consider this a two-way path where trainees/students and I learn and grow together. As Ombuds, I have found very rewarding the opportunity to help and empower my colleagues to address their work-related concerns and difficulties.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My son is my greatest treasure as he’s the most resilient kid with the greatest heart. In addition, I consider my trainees, many of which I have helped to successfully finish their academic and research training at UNL and abroad, and have moved on to pursue research careers in academia or industry. I am also proud of my research, which is recognized and respected by my peers and helping establish the Ombuds Office at UNL.
What is something that most people don't know about you?
I am a simple man - still very competitive in all aspects of my life.
What is your life like outside of work?
Depends on how we define “outside work”. It is hard to stop doing and thinking about work when you love what you do. “Outside” the office and lab, you will still find me thinking about experiments, finding real-life examples to bring back to the classroom and thinking about the wellbeing of my academic community. My heart and soul is my son Victor and together we like to laugh, have fun, learn new things and plan new adventures. The very little “me time” left I spend it staying active doing things like swimming, tennis, running, sailing, DIY projects at home, reading, watching some movies or TV series, enjoying music, playing guitar or learning something new. Again, my life is about learning and discovering.