Dr. Luis Barraza earned his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Concepción, Chile, in 2015. Subsequently, he enhanced his research expertise through a FONDECYT postdoctoral fellowship at the Universidad Andrés Bello (2016-2018) and received advanced training in NMR and ITC methods at the University of La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain (2018). Serving as a professor and researcher at the Universidad Andrés Bello, he taught General, Analytical, and Organic Chemistry courses (2015-2023). In addition to serving as the researcher responsible for a FONDECYT initiation project (2020-2023). Currently, he holds the position of Teaching-Researcher at the Valdivia campus of the Universidad San Sebastián.

At USS, Dr. Luis Barraza imparts general training courses in chemistry, including General Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry, to first and second-year students in Chemistry and Pharmacy. His experience in molecular simulation methods and his research in designing drug nanocarriers, aimed at optimizing chemotherapy, significantly enhances teaching quality. The integration of these areas fortifies student education by offering a practical and contemporary perspective on the discipline. This synergy between research and teaching deepens students' understanding of the practical and future applications of concepts learned in foundational chemistry courses, effectively preparing them for advanced courses and professional training.

Dr. Luis Barraza's research has evolved from the molecular design of PAMAM dendrimer-based drug nanocarriers, using molecular simulation methods, to the synthesis and characterization of these nanoparticles. He studies their performance in associating with anticancer drugs and explores their release profiles, focusing on structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic aspects. Currently, he is developing nanoparticles through molecular self-assembly between dendrimers and xanthene dyes, aiming to advance photodynamic therapy for cancer and investigate their potential as alternative treatments for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) infections