Richard D. Gonzalez

My recent research interest over the last five years has been centered in the area of controlled drug release. In particular, we are exploring the possibility of encapsulating drugs which are targeted to control neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Parkinson’s. These devices are implanted and strategically located in areas of the brain such as the temporal lobe (epilepsy abatement), or substantia nigra (Parkinson’s). They can also be used as a follow up to the surgical removal of malignant tumors. Implantation of these devices in areas in which they are most needed eliminates passage through the brain blood barrier (BBB). More importantly the drug dose, which is usually administered by systemic administration (pills or injections) can be significantly reduced. This approach can minimize damage to critical organs throughout the drug trajectory. This approach, which has been used successfully, in both model laboratory animals and in the case of chemotherapy, on humans, has shown promising results. These studies are carried out jointly between Tulane University, the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City and the National Metropolitan University of Mexico.

Publications

Approximately 200 publications

Tailoring the Photocatalytic Reaction Rate of a nanostructured TiO2 matrix using Additional Gas Phase Oxygen. Mohammed Jasim Uddin, Md Mohibul Alam, Md Akhtarul, Sharmin Rahman Snigda, Sreejon Das, Mohammed Mastabur Rahman, Md Nizam Uddin, Cindy A.Morris, Richard D. Gonzalez, Ulrike Diebold, Tarik J. Dickens, and Okenwa I Okoli, International Nanoletters 2013:3:16.

In-situ Release of Antiepileptic Drugs from Nanostructured Reservoirs. T. Lopez, Akozina, E. Ortiz-Islas, K.A.Espinosa and R.D Gonzalez. InTech Underlying Mechanisms of Epilepsy,CAP 19, 333-346 (2011)

Synthesis, characterization and in-vitro cytotoxicity of Pt-TiO2 nanoparticles. Lopez, T., Alvarez, M, Gonzalez, R.D., Uddin.M.J., Bustos,J., Arroyo, S., and Sanchez, A. Adsorption 17, 573-581 (2011)

Nano-structured Pt(NH3)4CI2/Si02 for nanomedicine.: catalytic degradation of DNA in cancer cells. T. Lopez, E.Ortiz Islas, M.A. Alvarez Lemus, and R.D.Gonzalez. Nano Reviews, 1-4 (2011)

An in-vitro controlled release study of valproic acid encapsulated in a titania ceramic matrix. M.J. Uddin, D. Mondal, C.A.Morris, T.Lopez, U.Diebold and R.D.Gonzalez. Nano Reviews, 1-4 (2011)

Treatment of Parkinsons disease: nanostructured sol-gel silica-dopamine reservoirs for controlled drug release in the central nervous system. T.Lopez, J.L Bata Garcia, E-Ortiz Islas, R.D.Gonzalez, J.Ascencio, P.Quintana, G.Oskam, F.JHeredia Lopez and J.L Gongora-Alfaro. International Journal of Nanomedicine. Dovepress, open access to scientific and medical research 5(2010)

Fractal Analysis of Tissue Biocompatible Neuroreservoirs. T.Lopez, M.Patino-Ortiz, A.S Balankin, R.D.Gonzalez. Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol 15, 121-126, (2009)

Kinetic study of the controlled release of VPA and DHP antiepileptic drugs using biocompatible nanostructured sol-gel titania. T. Lopez, J.L Bata-Garcia, E-Ortiz Islas, R.D.Gonzalez, A.Fidalgo, and J. Rieumont. Journal of Material Science 44, 20, 5459-5468.(2009)

Fractal Analysis of Tissue Biocompatible Neuroreservoirs. T.Lopez, M.Patino-Ortiz, A.S Balankin, R.D.Gonzalez. Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol 15,121-126, (2009).

Kinetic study of the controlled release of VPA and DPH antiepileptic drugs using biocompatible nanostructured sol-gel titania. T.Lopez, R.Alexander-Katz, P.Castillo, M.Gonzalez, J.Manjarrez, R.D. Gonzalez, A.Fidalgo, and J. Rieumont. Journal of Material Science 44, 20, 5459-5468. (2009).

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) photodegradation using an Mn+/ZrO2 photocatalyst:XPS, UV-Vis, DRX characterization. Alvarez,M., Lopez,T., Odrizola,J.A., .Centeno, M.A., Dominguez, M.I.,Montes. M., Quintana, P.,Aguilar.,and Gonzalez.R.D., Applied Surface Science B 73, 34-41(2007).

The determination of dielectric constants of mixtures used in the treatment of the epilepsy and the encapsulation of phenytoin in a titania matrix. T.Lopez, J.Ascencio, P.Quintana and R.D.Gonzalez, Colloid and Surfaces.A: Physicochem.Eng.Aspects 300, 99-105 (2007).

A nanostructured titania bioceramic implantable device capable of drug delivery to the temporal lobe of the Brain. T.Lopez, E.Ortiz, P.Quintana and R.D.Gonzalez, Colloid & Surfaces A: Physicochem.Eng. Aspects 300, 3-10 (2007).

Pore structures in an implantable sol-gel titania ceramic device used in drug release applications: a modeling study. A. Peterson,T.Lopez. E.Ortiz Islas and R.D.Gonzalez. Applied Surface Science, 253, 2767-5771 (2007).

Biocompatible Titania Microtubes Formed by Nanoparticles and its Application in the Drug Delivery of Valprroic Acid. T.Lopez, E.Ortiz Islas, A.Hernandez, J. Manjarrez, F.Rodriguez-Reinoso, A.Sepulveda, and R.D.Gonzalez. Optical Materials Vol 29, Issue 1, 70-74 (2006).

An Implantable Sol-Gel Titania-Silica Carrier System for the Controlled Release of Anticonvulsants. T.Lopez, J.Manjarrez, D Rembao, E.Vinogradova, E.Ortiz-Islas, and R.D.Gonzalez. Materials Letters, 60, 2903-2908 (2006).

A Molecular Vibrational Analysis and MAS-NMR Spectroscopy Study of Epilepsy Drugs Encapsulated in TiO2-Sol-Gel Reservoirs. T.Lopez, J.Navarette, R.Conde, J.A.Acsencio, J.Manjarrez and R.D Gonzalez. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part A, Vol 78, Issue 3, 446-448 (2006).

Optimization of the Surface Concentration of Sulfur in the Isomerization of n-Butane over Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts. Giorgia Cutrufello, Ulricke Diebold and R.D.Gonzalez. Catalysis Letters, 86, Vol. 101, 5-13 (2005).

Hydrodechlorination and Partial Hydrogenation Studies over Pd-Group 1B Bimetallic Catalysts. Sarah Arsenault and Richard D Gonzalez, Invited Review Article, Kluwer Academic Press.

Deactivation and Regeneration of Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts in the Isomerization of Hydrocarbons, Richard D. Gonzalez, Centro de Investigacion y Technologia Quimica, Cordoba, Argentina, Editor Eduardo Herrerero, 30-40 (2003).

Review Article. Synthesis and Applications of Catalysts Prepared by the Sol-gel Method in Emerging Fields in Sol-Gel Science and Technology. T.M.Lopez; Avnir D; Aegerter M. Kluwer Academic Publishers Boston, MA (2003). Chapter 1.2, pgs. 12-24.

The Locus of Surface Sulfate Sites in Sulfated Zirconia. R.Marcus, U.Diebold, and R.D Gonzalez. Catalysis Letters, 86 (4): 151-156 (2003).

Isomerization of n-Butane: Conversion as a Function of Sulfate Loading on Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts. R.Marcus. E Kugler, Aline Auroux and RD Gonzalez. Chemical Eng. Comm. 190: 1601-1619, (2003).

Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene through a Short Contact Time Reactor. With M.Vincent AIChE Journal, 48, 1257-1267 (2002).

Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene and Hydrodechlorination of 1,2-Dichloroethane over Pd-Group IB Bi-Metallic. Sarah Arsenault and Richard D Gonzalez. Petroleum Chemistry Division Preprints 2002, 47 (4), 371-373 (2002).

Microcalorimetric and Thermal Methods in Calorimetry, Topics in Catalysis, Richard D Gonzalez , Vol. 19(3-4) 203-335 (2002).

Thermal Stability of Pt/Al2O3 Catalysts Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method. With E Romero Pascual, A.Larrea, and A Monzon, Solid State Chemistry, vol.168, No.1, pp.343-353(11) (2002).

Isomerization of n-Butane: Conversion as a Function of Sulfate Loading on Sulfated Zirconia Catalysts. Preprints of the Petroleum Division of The American Chemical Society, Chicago IL, Vol 46, No3, 238-240 (2001).

A Langmuir-Hinshelwood Model for a Hydrogen Transfer Mechanism in the Selective Hydrogenation of Acetylene over a Pd/-alumina Catalyst Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method. With Mathew Vincent. ,J.Applied Catalysis A:General 217, 143-156 (2001).

The Effect of Metal Loading on the Physical Properties of Supported Rh/SiO2 Catalysts Prepared by the Sol-Gel Method. With CK Lambert. .J.Solid State Chemistry 158, 154-161 (2001).

Estudio de la Estabilidad Termica de Catalizadores de Pt/Al2O3 Sol-Gel. With E. Romero-Pascual, R. Marcus, A Larrea, and A.Monzon. Actas do XVII Congreico de Catalysis, Porto, Portugal, 803-804, (2000).

Surfaces of Nanoparticles and Porous Materials, Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 00: 1, 2000.

Activity and Selectivity of a Pd/-Al2O3 Catalytic Membrane in the Partial Hydrogenation of Acetylene. With C.K Lambert, M.Vincent, J.Hinestroza and Ning Sun. Stud. in Surface Science and Catalysis 130, 2687-2792 (2000).

The Effect of Humic Acid on the Adsorption of Trace Metals on Montmorillonite at the Fresh-Salt Water Interface. With Aiguo Liu, Langmuir,16/8, 3902-3909 (2000).