Hi, I'm Fernando! 

Fernando was born in Puebla, Mexico and grew up on the great California coast. He earned a B.A. in Chemistry, alongside a minor in Latin American Studies, from Pomona College in Claremont. He began research in organic synthesis and data science with Dr. Nicholas Ball, bridging machine learning and organic synthesis with the development of SuFEX reactions. He then joined Dr. Daniel O’Leary’s lab, probing kinetic isotope effects in labile diol systems via 1H NMR. In Summer 2025, he moved two time zones away to the MID-west to start his graduate career at the University of Minnesota, where he is currently conducting research in Dr. Melissa Ramirez’s group. Outside of the lab, Fernando enjoys running 5Ks, cooking new dishes, and gaming with his friends. 

Selected Awards

• ACS Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemical Safety and Ethics

• Robert Rowan Memorial Award in Chemistry 

• Linares Scholar

• Rotary Scholar

• Sigma Xi & Sigma Pi Delta Member

Favorite Reaction(s)

• Palladium Catalyzed Reactions