Dr. Alarcon's Team

Are you interested in Dr. Alarcón's research?

You can contact Dr. Alarcón directly via email. Positions available are currently limited due to the ongoing pandemic. However, applicants are encourage to inquire about potential openings.

Located at

Quick facts about "Dr. Alarcón

Academic career
Dr. Alarcón was born in Santiago, Chile. He received his B.Sc. in Chemistry under the supervision of Professor Eduardo Lissi, the most cited Scientist in Chile, at Universidad de Santiago de Chile (2005) exploring the chemiluminescent mechanisms of tryptophan oxidation. He then pursued his MSc and PhD training in Chemistry with a dissertation on Oxidation mechanisms of proteins mediated by reactive oxygen species from the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (2009). Dr. Alarcón moved to Ottawa with his wife, where he undertook postdoctoral training (2009-2014) at the University of Ottawa funded with a Chilean Scholarship for talented promising researchers. Dr Alarcón began his independent research career in 2014-15 when he was recruited to uOttawa/UOHI.

Present position and research
Dr. Alarcón is an Associate Professor in the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Department at uOttawa and Scientist at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. Dr. Alarcón’s distinctive discipline-bridging research program has secured remarkable levels of peer-reviewed research funding including CIHR, NSERC, NSERC-CIHR Collaborative Health Research Projects, OIRM, Heart and Stroke Canada, and NFRF. In 2019, he also received the prestigious and highly competitive Ontario Early Researcher Award. He has edited 2 books on Functional Materials for clinical translation, +95 peer-reviewed papers. Additionally, Dr. Alarcón has coordinated several international collaborations with colleagues across disciplines leading to 2 patents from his work. He is also spearheading an innovative science talk radio program, known as BEaTS Research Radio (www.beatsresearch.com/Radio.html). BEaTS Research Radio dives deep into the ever-changing, rapidly evolving world of science in one-on-one conversations with young scientists interviewing established investigators. To date BEaTS Research Radio has interviewed more than 80 scientists from different disciplines.

Research interests and hobbies
Dr. Alarcón’s lab studies the development of biomaterials for new translational therapies for the treatment of damaged cardiac tissue, cornea and skin. The lab is also developing new nanostructures to overcome the current limitations of biomimetic tissue scaffolds for regenerative medicine. Listed below are some of the main areas Dr. Alarcon’s group is currently focused on: (i) Injectable human recombinant human collagen and peptide, materials for cardiac tissue regeneration; (ii) New light-activated biomatrices for in-situ cornea and skin repair; (iii) 3D hybrid scaffolds for regenerative medicine with improved antibacterial properties and neovascularization capabilities for diabetic foot; (iv) Spray-on biopolymers for tissue neovascularization, biofilm control of chronically infected tissues, and electroconductive materials; (v) Hybrid nano-electro conductive fibers, hydrogels, and nanocomposites for cardiac patches and myocardial regeneration; (vi) Development and characterization of specific peptide sequences for improving physiological stability of nanomaterials and as novel therapeutic materials; (vii) Effect of metal nanoparticles in biomolecule oxidation and degradation of hybrid nanomaterials for tissue engineering; (viii) Rapid disinfection of biomedical devices and PPE. Dr. Alarcón is a photographer, runner, and a passionate advocate for individuals with intellectual disabilities.