
Division | Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering |
albertovazquez@g.ucla.edu | |
Office | Boelter Hall 5531 |
Office Phone | (310) 825-2046 |
Short Biography
Dr. Alberto Vázquez-Salazar earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2015 and his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences in 2019, both from the National Autonomous University of México (UNAM). He joined UCLA in 2020 as a Postdoctoral Scholar and was awarded the NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrobiology in 2023. Dr. Vázquez-Salazar’s research explores the origin of life, focusing on the role of RNA and the transition from RNA-based to RNA-protein systems. His interdisciplinary work spans biochemistry, biophysics, astrobiology, and evolutionary and synthetic biology.
In addition to his research, Dr. Vázquez-Salazar is a dedicated mentor and educator, guiding both undergraduate and graduate students and teaching courses at UCLA and UNAM. He integrates an evolutionary approach to biochemistry, emphasizing how biomolecules and biochemical pathways have diversified over time. This method fosters contextual learning, linking theoretical concepts to their historical and biological origins.
Dr. Vázquez-Salazar is also deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, actively working to make science accessible to a broader audience through outreach and efforts that support inclusive education.
Honors & Awards
- NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrobiology (2023–Present)
- CONACYT National Fellowship for Doctoral Studies (2015–2019)
- TELMEX Foundation National Scholarship (2012–2014)