Research Interests

Current research:
-Optical instrumentation to detect single cancerous cells in vitro and in vivo

PhD research:
-Single molecule studies of the interactions between actin filaments and actin binding proteins (see Ferrer, et al, 2008, PNAS 105: 9221-9226)
-Development of optical tweezers combined with single molecule fluorescence

About/Hobbies

Check out some of my pictures from my trip around the world at http://picasaweb.google.com/ferrerjpr

Biography

Borned and raised in Puerto Rico
1995-1999: B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Puerto Rico
1999-2000: Mechanical Engineer, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Rhode Island
2000: Married to Janice
2000-2002: Mechanical Design Engineer, Texas Instruments, Massachusetts
2002-2004: M.S. Mechanical Engineering, MIT
2004-2007: Ph.D. Biological Engineering, MIT
2008: Post-doctoral Associate, Biological Engineering, MIT
2008-present: Post-doctoral Fellow, Chemistry, MIT
September 13: Natalia's dad!!!

Awards

Winner of Best Business Idea Competition from private equity firm Grupo Guayacan, San Juan, PR, May 2008
First recipient of the Nicholas Hobson Wheless, Jr. Fellowship, 2006
Diversity Research Supplement awardee from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, 2002-2006
Medtronic Fellowship, 2004
Nominee for the Congressional “US Hammer Award” for cost-reducing solutions in public spending, 2002
“Esteban Terrats Award” for excellence in Mechanical Engineering studies, University of Puerto Rico, 1999