Our Founder

    Dr. Dolores Reyes (née Reyes Barreto) is a distinguished scientist whose career spans environmental biotechnology, renal medicine, and the advancement of STEAM education. With a foundation in cutting-edge molecular research, she now focuses on bridging the gap between complex scientific innovation and real-world applications for the next generation of thinkers.

    Dr. Reyes’s research career is defined by her work across three distinct areas of biotechnology: Renal Medicine & Immunology, since joining the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2001, Dr. Reyes has specialized in the cellular mechanisms of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Her NIH-funded research led to the discovery of resident lymphocyte populations in kidneys and explored how cellular "cross-talk" between organs occurs after injury. Her work has been instrumental in designing new therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for organ transplants and acute kidney failure. Environmental Bioremediation, she has contributed significantly to environmental health by developing indirect conductance techniques. This work allows for the detection of molecular degradation in both free-floating and biofilm-forming bacterial populations, providing tools to better understand how bacteria can clean contaminated environments. Biochemistry & Plant Genetics, Dr. Reyes has conducted extensive studies on the metabolism of commercial lactic acid bacteria.

    Dr. Reyes earned her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the Technology University of Compiegne, France. Complementing her scientific rigor with an entrepreneurial mindset, she was also an alumna of the ACTiVATE® program at UMBC, which focuses on technology commercialization and leadership. She was co-founder of BriJen Biotech, a research and consulting company that provided services to start-ups. Also,

    Currently, Dr. Reyes is dedicated to shaping the scientists and young entrepreneurs of tomorrow. She leverages her extensive background in medicine and biotechnology to lead hands-on STEAM learning projects. By connecting high-level innovation to real-world challenges, she fosters the critical thinking and creativity necessary for students to navigate a tech-driven future.

                                       Research Gate                                LinkedIn                               Science Daily

Dolores Reyes-Ascon, Ph.D.