Argelia Lorence

Contact Information

Argelia Lorence, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor in Metabolic Engineering
Arkansas Biosciences Institute
Arkansas State University
      Postal address:
            PO Box 639,
            State University, AR 72467
      Physical address:
            504 University Loop East, Rm. 101,
            Jonesboro, AR, 72401, USA
Office 870 680 4322
Fax 870 680 4348
Email: alorence@astate.edu

Biography

Assistant Professor of Plant Metabolic Engineering, Arkansas Biosciences Institute with a join appointment with the Chemistry and Physics Department

Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Pathology, Physiology and Weed Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA

Associate Professor, Research Center of Biotechnology, Autonomous University of the State of Morelos, Cuernavaca, Mexico

Ph.D. - Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico

M.S. - Biotechnology, Institute of Biotechnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico

B.S. - Biochemical Engineering, Metropolitan Autonomous University - Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico

Research Focus Areas:

• Study and manipulation of the ascorbate - cell wall metabolic network in plants, our current models of study are Arabidopsis, tobacco, lettuce, and potato

• Metabolic engineering for the improvement of the nutritional and agronomical value of crops

• Metabolic engineering of plant pathways leading to the formation of secondary metabolites with medicinal properties, our current models of study are tobacco and Galphimia glauca

RESEARCH INTEREST/AREA(S) OF EXPERTISE

Plant metabolic engineering
Study and manipulation of the vitamin C - cell wall metabolic network in plants; our current models are Arabidopsis and tobacco
Development of crops with elevated nutritional and stress tolerance value
Metabolic engineering of alkaloids and terpenes with medicinal properties; our current models are tobacco, and Galphimia spp.
Molecular speciation of medicinal plants
Teaching and mentoring

HONORS AND AWARDS

2007           External Evaluator Ad-Honorem, Secretaría Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (SENACYT), Panama, Panama
2007           C. Schroeter, LA House and A Lorence. Fruits and Vegetable Consumption among College Students in Arkansas and Florida: Food Culture                   vs. Health Knowledge. Work nominated to Best Paper Award in the Agribusiness Symposium. 17th Annual World Forum and Symposium: Food                   Culture: Tradition, Innovation and Trust- A positive Force for Modern Agribusiness. Parma, Italy, June 23-26.
2006           Featured mentor in the book The Paths We Tread II, Minority Environmental Leadership Development Initiative (MELDI), University of Michigan.
2006           Member Sigma Xi, June 2006 to present.
2006           Travel Award, Committee on the Advancement of Women Chemists (COACh).
2002           Arthur Neish Young Investigator Award, Phytochemical Society of North America (PSNA).
2002           Post-doctoral Travel Award, Virginia Tech.
2000           Post-doctoral Fellowship, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, México.
1999-2001   Young Investigator Award (equivalent of the CAREER-NSF award)
                  Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, (CONACYT), Mexico
1999           Teaching Award, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos.
1998           "Alfonso Caso Medal" 1st place PhD, class of 1997, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
1997           "Gabino Barreda Medal" 1st place MS, class of 1995, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico.
1995-2001 Scholar, Sistema Nacional de Investigadores (SNI), Mexico.
1992-1997 Scholar, CONACYT, Mexico. Funding for MS and PhD studies.
1993           1st place "Maestro Jesus Silva Herzog Economy Award" Participant in the winner project: "The Technological Change in the Mexican Agriculture and Agro-industry".

Press Releases
2008-08-19 Dr. Lorence serves as advisor, co-author
2008-07-07 Dr. Lorence speaks, initiates collaborative agreement
2008-04-14 Convocation of Scholars Award - Dr. Lorence
2007-10-22 Governor Beebe releases funds for EPSCoR Projects
2007-07-16 ABI director gives keynote presentation in Mexico
2007-06-13 Dr. Lorence reviews, presents in Panama