Dr. Leo Gutierrez
Dr. Leo Gutierrez
BE (Mining Engineering); MSc. and PhD. (Environmental Engineering) – University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Post-Doc: King Abdullah University of Science and Technology at Saudi Arabia; Post-Doc: Curtin University of Technology at Australia.
ResearcherID: K-5765-2019
GoogleScholar:Leonardo Gutierrez
Scopus ID: 35186188000
ORCID: 0000-0001-7573-6635
leo.gutierrez@upacifico.edu.ec
Brief Bio
Dr. Gutierrez is an expert in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) studies and has extensive experience in the field of colloidal/interfacial chemistry. He applies sophisticated experimental techniques that aid in the elucidation of the dominant interacting mechanisms between organic compounds and colloids, including viruses, bacteria, and surfaces. His core training at the Seitz Materials Research Laboratory (UIUC) included: (Cryo) Transmission electron microscopy, (Environmental) Scanning electron microscopy, Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, (Time-Resolved) Dynamic Light Scattering, and Streaming (Zeta) Potential-Electrophoretic mobility measurements. In addition, Dr. Gutierrez received specialized training in bio-safety (Vet-Med School at UIUC) levels 1 and 2 (handling/growing/purification of pathogens, bacteria, viruses, phages, and cell stocks), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM-contact and tapping mode) coupled with Raman Spectroscopy, Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation technique, and Synchrotron-based Small Angle X-Ray Scattering. Dr. Gutierrez has collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of prestigious Universities and National Labs (e.g., Yale University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology KAUST, Curtin University of Technology, MASDAR Institute of Technology, Argonne National Lab at Chicago, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University, etc.). All his research projects resulted in publications in international peer-reviewed journals (e.g. ES&T, Water Research, Langmuir, Soft Matter, etc.), and have been presented in international conferences (e.g. American Chemical Society, Materials Research Society, Euromembranes, etc.). Dr. Gutierrez is currently holding a Full-Professor position at Universidad Del Pacífico (Ecuador), where he develops characterization techniques at the nano-scal
Research Interests
The current research interests of Dr. Gutierrez are mainly focused in Natural Organic Matter (i.e., a ubiquitous and highly heterogeneous mixture of organic compounds of different chemical compositions, structures, and properties) interfacial interactions with surfaces and colloids. Two broad scenarios are considered: a) natural aquatic environments, and b) membrane technology. Specific topics include: the impact of OM on fate and transport of (capped) nanomaterials (i.e., silver or MnO2 nanoparticles, micro/nano plastics and fibers) in natural aquifers and (waste) water treatment systems; interactions between organic matter and metal oxides and its impact on catalytic oxidation processes (i.e., targeting both ceramic membrane applications and processes in natural water environments. Additionally, the characterization of nanomechanical properties of membranes (ultrafiltration hollow fibers, ionic exchange membranes, dense membranes) and (organic/bio) foulants are of special interest.
Publications & Conferences
- Zhang, S.; Hao, Z.; Liu, J.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, JP.; Molecular Insights into the Reactivity of Aquatic Natural Organic Matter towards •OH and SO4•− Using FT-ICR MS. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2021. Learn More
- Vera San Martín, T.; Gutierrez, L.; Palacios, M.; Mas, E.; Adriano, B.; Koshimura, S.; Applying Fragility Function in Tsunami Damage Estimation in Esmeraldas city, Ecuador. 2021. Learn more
- Zaouri, N., Gutierrez, L., Benedetti, M.F. and Croue, J.-P. 2021. Interactions between model organic compounds and metal oxides. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 126858. Learn More.
- Ma, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Van Vooren, T.; Vanoppen, M.; Kazemabad, M.; Verliefde, A.; Cornelissen, E.; Fate of organic micropollutants in reverse electrodialysis: influence of membrane fouling and channel clogging. Desalination. 2021. Learn more
- Ma, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Verbeke, R.; D’Haese, A.; Waqas, M.; Dickmann, M.; Helm, R.; Vankelecom, I.; Verliefde, A.; Cornelissen, E.; Transport of organic solutes in ion-exchange membranes: mechanisms and influence of solvent ionic composition. Water Research. 2021. Learn More
- Roman, M.; Roman, P.; Verbeke, R.; Gutierrez, L.; Vanoppen, M.; Dickmann, M.; Egger, W.; Wols, I.; Vancelekom, J.; Cornelissen E.; Keesman, K.; Verliefde, A.; Non-steady state diffusion of organic micropollutants in ion exchange-membranes. Influence of membrane structural parameters on its permeability toward organic micropollutants. IScience. 2021. Learn more
- Hena, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, JP.; Removal of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) from the aquatic environment using microalgae: A review. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2021. Learn More
- Mofokeng, M.; Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Matabola, P.; Mishra, S.; Nxumalo, E.; Perflurooctyltriethoxy silane and carbon nanotubes-modified PVDF superoleophilic nanofibre membrane for oil-in-water adsorption and recovery. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2020. Learn More.
- Saeidi, P.; Saeidi, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Streimikiene, D.; Alrasheedi, M.; Saeidi, S.P.; Mardani, A.; The influence of enterprise risk management on firm performance with the moderating effect of intellectual capital dimensions. Economic Research. 2020. Learn More
- Roman, M.; Gutierrez, L.; Van Dijk, LH.; Vanoppen, M.; Post, J.; Wols, B.; Cornelissen E.; Verliefde, A.; Treated wastewater as a low salinity stream for RED: transport of OMPs and their potential effect on the process efficiency. Separation and Purification Technology. 2020. Learn More
- Gutierrez, L.; Schmid, A.; Zaouri, N; Garces, D.; Croue, JP.; Aggregation kinetics of tannic acid-coated and silica-coated silver nanoparticles in natural organic matter-containing electrolyte solutions. NanoImpact. 2020. Learn More
- Zhang, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Fei, Q.; Croue, JP.; SO4•–-based catalytic ceramic UF membrane for organics removal and flux restoration. Chemical Engineering Journal. 2020. Learn More
- Wang, Y.; Couet, M.; Gutierrez, L.; Allard, S.; Croue, JP.; Impact of DOM source and character on the degradation of primidone by UV/chlorine: Reaction kinetics and disinfection by-product formation. Water Research. 2020. Learn More.
- Hena, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, JP.; Removal of metronidazole from aqueous media by C. vulgaris. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2020. Learn More.
- Ding, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, J.P.; Li, M.; Wang, L.; Wang, Y.; Hydroxyl and sulfate radical-based oxidation of RhB dye in UV/H2O2 and UV/persulfate systems: kinetics, mechanisms, and comparison. Chemosphere. 2020. Learn More.
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Nxumalo, E.; Verliefde, A.; Mhlanga, S. f-MWCNTs/AgNPs-coated superhydrophobic PVDF nanofiber membrane for organic, colloidal, and biofouling mitigation in direct contact membrane distillation. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2020. Learn More
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Nxumalo, E.; Mamba, B.; Water as the Pore Former in the Synthesis of Hydrophobic PVDF Flat Sheet Membranes for Use in Membrane Distillation. Hydro Science & Marine Engineering. 2019. Learn More
- Roman, M.; Van Dijk, LH.; Gutierrez, L.; Vanoppen, M.; Post, J.; Wols, B.; Cornelissen E.; Verliefde, A.; Key physicochemical characteristics governing organic micropollutant adsorption and transport in ion-exchange membranes during reverse electrodialysis. Desalination. 2019. Learn More.
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Lapeir, L.; Verbeken, K.; Zaouri, N.; Nxumalo, E.; Mamba, B.; Verliefde, A.; Mhlanga, S.; Fouling-resistant PVDF nanofibre membranes for the desalination of brackish water in membrane distillation. Separation and Purification Technology. 2019. Learn More
- Zhang, S.; Rouge, V.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, JP.; Reactivity of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) to sulfate radicals: Reaction kinetics and structural transformation. Water Research. 2019. Learn More. Learn More.
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Derese, S.; Mamba, B.; Verliefde, A.; Mhlanga, S.; Adsorption of phenolic compounds by polyacrylonitrile nanofibre membranes: A pretreatment for the removal of hydrophobic bearing compounds from water. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2019. Learn More
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Verliefde, A.; Mhlanga, S; Enhanced flux in direct contact membrane distillation using superhydrophobic PVDF nanofibre membranes embedded with organically modified SiO2 nanoparticles. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 2019. Learn More
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Khumalo, N.; Derese, S.; Mamba, B.; Verliefde, A.; Mhlanga, S.; Superhydrophobic PVDF nanofibre membranes coated with an organic fouling resistant hydrophilic active layer for direct-contact membrane distillation. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2019. Learn More
- Nthunya, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Derese, S.; Verliefde, A.; Mamba, B.; Nxumalo, E.; Mhlanga, S.; A Review of Nanoparticle-Enhanced Membrane Distillation Membranes: Membrane Synthesis and Applications in Water Treatment. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology. 2019. Learn more
- Nthunya, L.; Derese, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Verliefde, A.; Mamba, B.; Barnard, T.; Mhlanga, S.; Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using one-pot and microwave-assisted methods and their subsequent embedment on PVDF nanofibre membranes for growth inhibition of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria. The New Journal of Chemistry. 2019. Learn More
- Vanoppen, M.; Vanvooren, T.; Gutierrez, L.; Roman, M.; Croue, J.P.; Verbeke, K.; Philips, J.; Verliefde, A.; Wastewater in reverse electrodialysis: what is the best pre-treatment? Separation and Purification Technologies. 2019. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Keucken, A.; Aubry, C.; Croue, J.P.; Nanomechanical characterization of recalcitrant foulants and hollow fiber membranes in ultrafiltration systems. Desalination and Water Treatment. 136 (2018) 49–64. Learn more
- Ma, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Vanoppen, M.; Verliefde, A.; Transport of uncharged organics in ion-exchange membranes: experimental validation of the solution-diffusion model. Journal of Membrane Science. 2018. 564, 773-781. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Keucken, A.; Aubry, C.; Zaouri, N.; Teychene, B.; Croue, J.P.; Impact of operation conditions, foulant adsorption, and chemical cleaning on the nanomechanical properties of ultra-filtration hollow fiber membranes. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2018, 549:34-42. Learn more
- Vera, T.; Rodriguez, G.; Arreaga, P.; Gutierrez, L.; Population and building vulnerability assessment by possible worst-case tsunami scenarios in Salinas, Ecuador. Natural Hazards. 2018. 93(1), 275-297. Learn more
- Zhang, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Qi, F.; Croue, J.P.; The characteristics of Organic Matter influence its interfacial interactions with MnO2 and catalytic oxidation processes. Chemosphere. 2018. 209, 950-959. Learn more
- Zaouri, N.; Gutierrez, L.; Dramas, L.; Garces, D.; Croue, J.P.; Interfacial Interactions between Skeletonema Costatum Extracellular Organic Matter and metal oxides: implications for ceramic membrane filtration. Water Research. 2017. 116, 194-202. Learn more
- Allard, S.; Gutierrez, L.; Fontaine, C.; Croue, J.P.; Gallard, H.; Organic matter interactions with natural manganese oxide and synthetic birnessite. Science of the Total Environment. 2017. 583, 487-495. Learn more
- Merle, T.; Dramas, L.; Gutierrez, L.; Garcia, V.; Croue, J.P.; Investigation of severe UF membrane fouling induced by three marine algal species. Water Research. 2016, 93, 10-19. Learn more
- Pei, Y.; Jarrett, K.; Gutierrez, L.; Saunders, M.; Croue, J.P.; Roth, P.; Lowe, P.; Synthesis and Characterization of Non-ionic AB-diblock Soft Matter Nanoparticles with an Emphasis on Worm Micelles. RAC Advances. 2016, 6, 28130-28139. Learn more
- Lua, D.; Zhang, T.; Gutierrez, L.; Maa, J.; and Croué, J.P.; Influence of surface properties of filtration-layer metal oxide on ceramic membrane fouling during ultrafiltration of oil/water emulsion, Environmental Science and Technology, 2016, 50 (9), 4668–4674. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Aubry, C.; Dramas, L.; Aimar, P.; Croue, J.P.; Characterization of Skeletonema Costatum Intracellular Organic Matter and Study of Nanomechanical Properties under Different Solution Conditions. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2016, 506: 154-161. Learn more
- Wang, R.Q.; Gutierrez, L., Choond, N.S.; Croué, J.P.; Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography Method for Measuring the Composition of Aquatic Humic Substances. Analytica Chimica Acta, 853, 1, (2015) 608-616. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Aubry, C.; Valladares, R.; Croue, J.P.; Natural organic matter interactions with polyamide and polysulfone membranes: formation of conditioning film. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. 2015, 477 (0), 1-8. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Aubry, C.; Cornejo, M.; Croue, J.P.; Citrate-coated silver nanoparticles interactions with effluent organic matter: influence of capping agent and solution conditions. Langmuir, 2015, 31 (32), 8865-8872. Learn more
- Aubry, C.; Khan, M.; Bezhad, A.R.; Anjum, D.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, J.O.; Cross-sectional analysis of fouled SWRO membranes by STEM-EDS. Desalination 2014, 333, 128-125. Learn more
- Niu, X; Liu, C; Gutierrez, L.; Croué, J.P.; Photobleaching-induced Changes in Photosensitized Properties of Dissolved Organic Matter. Water Research, 66 (2014) 140-148. Learn more
- Aubry, C.; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, J. P., Coating of AFM probes with aquatic humic and non-humic NOM to study their adhesion properties. Water Research 2013, 47, (9), 3109-19. Learn more
- Rosado, S.; Wang, H.; Gutierrez, L.; Romero-Maraccini, O.; Niu, X.; Gin, K.; Croue, J. P.; Nguyen, T. H., Roles of Singlet Oxygen and Triplet Excited State of Dissolved Organic Matter Formed by Different Organic Matters in Bacteriophage MS2 Inactivation. Water Research 2013. 47(14), 4869-79. Learn more
- Khan, M; Manes, C; Aubry, C; Gutierrez, L.; Croue, J.O.; Kinetic study of seawater reverse osmosis membrane fouling. Environmental Science and Technology 2013, 47, (19), 10884-10894. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Nguyen, T. H.; Interactions between rotavirus and natural organic matter isolates of different physicochemical characteristics. Langmuir 2013, 29, (47), 14460-14468. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Nguyen, T. H., Interactions between Rotavirus and Suwannee River Organic Matter: Aggregation, Deposition, and Adhesion Force Measurement. Environmental Science & Technology 2012, 46, (16), 8705-8713. Learn more
- Nguyen, T. H.; Easter, N.; Gutierrez, L.; Huyett, L.; Defnet, E.; Mylon, S. E.; Ferri, J. K.; Viet, N. A., The RNA core weakly influences the interactions of the bacteriophage MS2 at key environmental interfaces. Soft Matter 2011, 7, (21), 10449-10456. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Mylon, S. E.; Nash, B.; Nguyen, T. H., Deposition and Aggregation Kinetics of Rotavirus in Divalent Cation Solutions. Environmental Science & Technology 2010, 44, (12), 4552-4557. Learn more
- Mylon, S. E.; Rinciog, C.; Schmidt, N.; Gutierrez, L.; Wong, G.; Nguyen, T. H., Influence of Salts and Natural Organic Matter on the Stability of Bacteriophage MS2. Langmuir 2010, 26, (2),1035-1042. Learn more
- Brady-Estevez, A. S.; Nguyen, T. H.; Gutierrez, L.; Elimelech, M., Impact of solution chemistry on viral removal by a single-walled carbon nanotube filter. Water Research 2010, 44, (13), 3773-3780. Learn more
- Gutierrez, L.; Li, X.; Wang, J. W.; Nangmenyi, G.; Economy, J.; Kuhlenschmidt, T. B.; Kuhlenschmidt, M. S.; Nguyen, T. H., Adsorption of rotavirus and bacteriophage MS2 using glass fiber coated with hematite nanoparticles. Water Research 2009, 43, (20), 5198-5208. Learn more
- N Schmidt, S Barr, A Udit, LA Gutierrez, T Nguyen, M Finn, E Lujten, G Wong. Structural transitions in condensed colloidal virus phases. AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY 2010 Meeting Abstracts. Learn more
- M Vanoppen, T Van Vooren, M Nowak, LA Gutierrez, N Tiggelman, A Verliefde. Reverse electrodialysis-reverse osmosis hybrid for seawater desalination using secondary treated wastewater effluent: optimal pre-treatment strategy. Euromed 2017: Desalination for clean water and energy: cooperation around the world. Learn more
- E Toet, E van der Burg, N Tiggelman, H Rapp, D Gutzeit, M Vanoppen, L Gutierrez, A Verliefde, L Gurreri, A Campione, A Cipollina. Brackish water off-grid desalination systems for developing countries. Desalination for Clean Water and Energy Cooperation around the World. 69-69. 2017. Learn More
- NW Schmidt, AK Udit, LA Gutierrez, MG Finn, GCL Wong. Tuning inter-virus interactions in natural aquatic environments. AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY 2009 Meeting Abstracts 1, 15012. Learn more
- X Li, J Wang, LA Gutierrez, TH Nguyen. Remove Arsenic and MS2 Virus by Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Coated on Glass Fibers. The 2008 THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Annual Meeting. Learn more
- X Li, LA Gutierrez, TH Nguyen, J Economy. Metal Oxide Nanoparticles Coated on a Glass Fiber Substrate to Remove Viruses from Water. The 2008 THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS Annual Meeting. Learn more
- X Li, J Wang, LA Gutierrez, TH Nguyen, J Economy. ENVR 37-Iron oxide nanoparticle coating on glass substrates for both Arsenic and MS2 virus removal. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 235. 2008. Learn more
- X Li, LA Gutierrez, GN Nangmenyi, TH Nguyen, J Economy. ENVR 270-Design of viricidal, metal oxide nanoparticles coated on a glass fiber substrate. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 235. 2008. Learn more
- LA Gutierrez, X Li, J Wang, GN Nangmenyi, J Economy, Theresa B Kuhlenschmidt, Mark S Kuhlenschmidt, Thanh H Nguyen. ENVR 271-Study of sorption and inactivation of ms2 phage and rotavirus using iron oxide-coated glass fiber. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 235. 2008. Learn more
- X Li, LA Gutierrez, J Wang, TH Nguyen, J Economy. POLY 8-Nanoparticles coated on a glass fiber substrate for virus removal. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 238. 2009. Learn more
- SE Mylon, TH Nguyen, CI Rinciog, LA Gutierrez. Influence of solution chemistry on the aggregation kinetics of bacteriophage MS2. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 237. 2009. Learn more
- LA Gutierrez, NW Schmidt, GCL Wong, TH Nguyen. Deposition and aggregation kinetics of rotavirus in the presence of divalent cations and natural organic matter. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 239. 2010. Learn more
- LA Gutierrez, R Lu, JP Croue, TH Nguyen. Rotavirus interaction with different natural organic matter (NOM). ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 245. 2013. Learn more
- C Aubry, LA Gutierrez, H Nguyen, JP Croue. Natural organic matter (NOM) adhesion behavior on mica. ABSTRACTS OF PAPERS OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY 245. Learn more
- European Desalination Society, Athens, Greece, 2018
- Euromembranes, Valencia, Spain, 2018
- Conference on Maritime Energy Management. World Maritime University, Sweden, 2017.
- Conference on Emerging Contaminants and Micropollutants in the Environment, Australia, 2016.
- Interfaces Against Pollution Conference, Spain, 2016.
- Specialist Conference, Sapporo, Japan, 2014
- ACS National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, U.S., April 2013.
- AEESP, Tampa, U.S., July 2011
- International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (Pacifichem), Hawaii, U.S., Dec. 2010
- Gordon Research Conference (GRC), Holderness, U.S., Jun. 2010
- ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Francisco, U.S., March 2010
- Association of Env. Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP), Iowa City, U.S., July 2009
- Int. Conference of Surface and Colloid Science (ICSCS). Columbia University, New York, June 2009
- Materials Research Society (MRS), San Francisco, U.S., April 2009
- National Science Foundation (NSF) 2009 site visit, Urbana, IL, U.S.
- American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting & Exposition, New Orleans, U.S., April 2008