Recognizing Plant Direct authors: Cindy M. Munoz

Cindy M. Munoz, first author of Dimensionless Numbers to Study Cell Wall Deformation of Stiff Mutants of Phycomyces blakesleeanus

Current Position: Faculty in Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Design, and Computing, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado

Education:

PhD in Engineering and Applied Science, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado

MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado

BSc in Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado

Non-scientific Interests: family time, listening to music, gardening, and walking

Brief bio: I’ve always been fascinated by how nature works and the intricate mechanisms by which they display normal functions. I never thought that by using physics and mechanical engineering principles scientists could study these mechanisms that is until I met Dr. Kenneth Ortega.  By working in Dr. Kenneth Ortega’s lab I was able to conduct interdisciplinary (biology and engineering) research. In his lab I’ve studied the model organism, Phycomyces blakesleeanus, in an effort to gain further insight into the biophysical processes that cells with walls undergo during expansive growth. After completing my PhD, I continued to a post-doctoral position in which I explore Fungal Biomaterials. I exploit environmental and nutrient conditions to optimize the biomaterial’s properties.