Enrique Meléndez EDUCATION 1990–91 Post-doctorate, Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 1990 Ph.D. Inorganic Chemistry, University of Utah, USA. 1983 B.S. Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, PR. GENERAL RESEARCH INTERESTS: Bio-inorganic/bio-organometallic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Metal-Based Drugs, NMR Spectroscopy. My research work entails the design of metal-based drugs and metallic biosensors. New metallocene and Gold nanoparticles drugs for target specific tumors are developed as tools for treating hormone-dependent and independent cancers. To achieve this, steroidal hormones (estrogen, androgen and progesterone derivatives) and anti-cancer drugs are attached as pendant groups to the corresponding metallocenes and gold nanoparticles. The mechanistic aspects of these species are studied by spectroscopic methods such as NMR, UV–Vis, fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry and molecular modeling techniques. Another area of interest is the development of electrochemical biosensors. 2020–Present Graduate Program Coordinator, Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico. 2016–2019 Chairperson, Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico. 2009–2010 Ph.D. Program Co-coordinator, Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico. 2010–2013 President of the Department of Chemistry Personnel Committee, UPR. 2002–Present Professor, Department of Chemistry, University of Puerto Rico.