Team Members

Our team forms the backbone of our laboratory, creating an environment that is both exceptional and fulfilling. We take great pride in the diversity of our staff, with each member contributing their unique skills and expertise to drive our projects forward.
Visitors are encouraged to hover over our team’s bio pictures for more information.

Principal Investigator

Maria A. Gonzalez Porras, Ph.D.

Dr. Maria Gonzalez Porras is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), where she leads research on engineering adipose tissue (fat) cell function for obesity and cancer.

She was born in Medellin, Colombia where she received her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the School of Engineering of Antioquia, in 2011. She did a Ph.D. in Physiology and Biomedical Engineering at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, in the Cell and Regenerative Physiology Laboratory, where she engineered nanoparticles to target motor neurons for spinal cord injury treatments.

Following a 1-year post-doctoral fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, she joined Dr. Eric Brey’s Laboratory at UTSA for 4-years where she developed strategies to target fat cells using nanotechnology and studied the fat microenvironment.

Her current research integrates physiology, stem cell biology and bioengineering to develop new fat cells targeted therapeutic systems. Her research interests lie in using multidisciplinary strategies to gain a better understanding of the cellular and microenvironmental conditions fundamental to the pathogenesis and therapy of fat metabolic dysfunctions in cancer, obesity and diabetes.

Honors and Awards

2024 Voelcker Foundation Early Career Pilot Award in cancer
2024 Vanderbilt Vibrant Travel Award to attend The Metabolic Physiology Meeting
2023 First place UNM CTSC Bioventure 2023. Patent disclosure#2022-026
2023 Gordon Research Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Travel Award
2023 Mays Cancer Center Early Career Pilot Award
2020-2023 (F32) NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
2006-2008 Undergraduate Honor’s list – Excellent Academic Performance
2011 Undergraduate Honor’s Thesis (First undergraduate Laurate Thesis awarded at the University; Thesis with the highest honor)

María A. Gonzalez Porras

Principal Investigator

Associate Professor, University of Texas at San Antonio

Ph.D. In Biomedical Engineering and Physiology

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Instructors & Associates

Linda Mota Bio

Linda Mota, Ph.D.

I was born in Mexico City but grew up on the border of Cd Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and El Paso, TX. I have always been passionate about Science and the Environment, which is the reason why I decided to get my Bachelor’s of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Texas at El Paso.

I then pursued my Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas Health Science Center, where I was first introduced to the idea that someone like me could pursue a PhD. I was fortunate that my mentor saw a potential in me that I never knew I had.

I moved to South Carolina for my doctoral studies at Clemson University, where I received a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. After my doctoral work, I held multiple positions: first as an Adjunct Faculty in Anderson University in the Department of Biology, as a Visiting Research Scholar in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in Auburn University, as a Research Scientist in the Department of Medicine in the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and as an Instructional Assistant Professor in the University of Mississippi in the Department of Biology.

I moved with my husband, three cats, and son during the pandemic to beautiful San Antonio, where the weather is warm, but the people are warmer. That same year, I was diagnosed with cancer, and I am very fortunate to say that after a long and difficult battle, I am officially a Cancer Survivor.

As a minority in STEM, my career has been challenging and has left a heavy emotional trauma, that after years of therapy I had come to understand. I made mental health a priority.

I started working in the Biomedical Engineering Department of UTSA in 2022 in Dr. Brey’s lab with strong collaborations with Dr. Gonzalez-Porras. Life can be very difficult, but it has been a pleasure working with such a great group of people where you can learn, grow, and heal while we discuss exciting research findings in a safe environment.

I love working with compassionate, kind, and intelligent faculty, staff, and students.

Linda Mota

Research Scientist Associate

MPH, Environmental Health & Ph.D. Environmental Toxicology

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Ph.D. Students

David Zhang

David Zhang is a PhD student at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at UTSA. He is under the supervision of Dr. Maria González Porras with whom he is conducting research in the field of nanomedicine, drug delivery, and adipose tissue metabolism.

He received his B.S. and M.S. in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio, part of the first graduating class. Before deciding to pursue a Doctoral degree, he had three years of industry work experience with Rochal Industries under the mentorship of Dr. Ann and Joe Salamone, where he was part of the R&D team and designed novel biomaterials for wound care. During which he led a team that successfully submitted a 510(k) for a novel liquid bandage and gained FDA clearance status.

During his academia experience at UTSA, he had the privilege of serving as teaching assistant for multiple biomedical engineering courses such as physiology, biomaterials, engineering analysis, cell biology lab, and biomedical engineering lab 1, 2, and 3. His research interest involves medical device development, nanomedicine, metabolism, wound care, and clinically relevant biomedical research.

David Zhang

Ph.D. Candidate

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering Candidate

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Federico Zertuche González

Federico Zertuche González is an international PhD student at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), having earned his Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering from ITESM with Summa Cum Laude honors, specializing in physiological, tissue, and cardiovascular engineering. He completed a research internship at Harvard Medical School’s Division of Engineering in Medicine (2021–2022), gaining expertise in bioprinting, hydrogel matrix formation, and organ-on-chip experimentation focused on cardiac, pulmonary, and muscular tissues.

Currently, Federico’s research under Dr. Gonzalez Porras at UTSA focuses on developing novel therapeutic strategies and innovative techniques for endometrial-based pathologies, particularly studying adipose stem cell infiltration and functionality in the endometrial cancer environment, with a comprehensive analysis and modulation of oncogenic dynamics.

Dedicated to advancing tissue engineering research and its medical applications, Federico pursues lifelong learning and interdisciplinary collaboration to innovate technologies that improve global healthcare and positively impact society. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys cooking, reading, sketching, and hiking.

Federico Zertuche González

Ph.D. Student

Ph.D. Biomedical Engineering Student

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Graduate Students

Molly Chambers

My name is Molly Chambers, and I am pursuing my Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering here at UTSA after earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering, also from UTSA.

My current project in GP Lab is working on understanding Adipose Stem Cell function when exposed to an Endometrial Cancer environment.

When I’m not spending hours in the lab, you can find me at the Rec where I help oversee all of our Intramural and Club Sports.

Molly Chambers

Masters Student

Master’s in Biomedical Engineering

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Visiting Scholars & Trainees

Federico Zertuche González

Yulieth Soto

Research Scientist Trainee

B.S. Biomedical Engineering

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Undergrad Students

Ashley Motola

My name is Ashley Motola and I am a freshman/rising sophomore BME major. I am in the ESTEEMED program at UTSA, and VP of Events Management for the Klesse Student Advisory Council. During my free time I enjoy going to the gym to destress.

My project consists of attempting to increase autophagy in adipocytes to study the relationship it has between thermogenesis and the formation of brown adipocytes.

Ashley Motola

Undergrad Student

Cody Schiferl

I started working in the Gonzalez-Porras lab in spring 2022, primarily focused on the Cachexia-Mitophagy project. My project is focused on the inhibition of mitophagy inducing proteins BNIP3 and BNIP3L to slow down or halt mitochondrial death within human adipose stem cells and mature adipocytes, slowing tissue loss in Cachexia patients.

I am set to graduate from UTSA with a BS in Biomedical Engineering in May 2025 and hope to continue my education by attending graduate school after graduation.

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, and returned there for summer internships.

Apart from school and research, I enjoy staying active, working out and playing volleyball during my free time.

Cody Schiferl

Undergrad Student

Breanna Herrera

My name is Breanna Herrera and I am an undergraduate student at UTSA majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a concentration in Nanobiotechnology/Biomedical Imaging.

The opportunity to join Dr. GP’s lab is such an honor, not just because I’m learning everything I can about adipocytes and their function, but because I am learning it from my colleagues!

As member of this lab, I will be collaborating with David and learning about nanoparticle targeting in adipose tissue.

The majority of my free time is spent with my family and friends, as well as playing with my five dogs. Additionally, I enjoy baking whenever I can.

Breanna Herrera

Undergrad Student

Ethen Greenberg

I am working towards earning my B.S. in biomedical engineering by May 2026.

At the start of summer 2024, I began studying the effect cancer-associated cachexia has on mitophagy receptor proteins BNIP3/L and its role in the metabolism of different adipose tissues.

After lab, you can find me climbing, playing music, and enjoying the outdoors.

Ethen Greenberg

Undergrad Student

Jasmine Vargas Bio

Jasmine Vargas

My name is Jasmine Vargas and I am a Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate student at UTSA with my focus in Cellular/Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials.

I joined the lab in the summer of 2024 with my focus on the effects of Saturated Fatty Acids on PAI-1 Expression in 2D and 3D Adipocytes in vitro. I am very excited to be working with other students as well as working with Dr. Gonzalez Porras and Dr. Mota.

As a member of this lab, my goal is to help advance research in the GP Fat Lab and to gain professional skills. Outside of my Academics and the Lab, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, playing with my cats and dogs, crocheting different projects, watching TV and Movies, and I occasionally read.

Jasmine Vargas

Undergrad Student

Rishi Mathew Bio