Rafael A. Flores

Medicinal Chemistry Research Associate

Rafael A. Flores earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from St. Edward’s University, Austin, Tx, in the spring of 2021. At St. Edward’s, Rafael conducted bioinorganic chemistry research under the supervision of Dr. Santiago Toledo. His research involved biomimetic modeling of metalloenzymes implicated in CNS diseases. Rafael synthesized, characterized, and evaluated reactivities of small copper complex analogues of superoxide dismutase (SOD), an antioxidant enzyme shown to have implications in such neurodegenerative diseases as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Rafael recently (10/2021) joined Dr. Donald Sikazwe’s lab. at the University of the Incarnate Word’s Feik School of Pharmacy as a Medicinal Chemistry Research Associate.  In that capacity Rafael is involved in the synthesis of Tubastin A. (an HDAC6 inhibitor) derivatives with multi-target activities, as potential anti-neurodegenerative agents for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Rafael’s research interests align with organic synthesis, inorganic anaerobic synthesis, and biochemistry. Rafael is a contributing author in a peer-reviewed publication in the Journal of Bioinorganic Chemistry (JBC) and has presented professionally at multiple national ACS conferences.

Phone: (210) 883-1188
Email: raflore7@uiwtx.edu