Personal profile
Research interests
Applied Biotechnology, smart delivery and encapsulation system for biomass and molecules. New generation bio-imputs development for agriculture.
BioStatistical Analysis of process and design and monitoring pre- and clinical trials.
Personal profile
Dr. Randall Chacón Cerdas has over 17 years of experience in teaching, research, university outreach, and collaboration with the productive sectors. He holds a PhD in Engineering (Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) - University of Costa Rica), a Master's degree in Modern Manufacturing Systems, and a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology Engineering, both from TEC. He works on projects involving the nano- and microencapsulation of biomass and metabolites for the development of agricultural bio-inputs and the design of controlled-release systems. He also advises biotechnology companies on data analysis and experimental design and provides technical support to agricultural producers on sustainable technologies. He has participated in 24 research and university outreach projects and has served as an advisor or tutor for over 40 undergraduate and graduate theses. He has participated in international scientific forums and symposia, where his contributions focus on applied biotechnology.
Teaching
Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) & University of Costa Rica. Ph.D. Academic Doctorate in Engineering. 2022
Costa Rica Institute of Technology. Master’s Degree. Master’s in Modern Manufacturing Systems. 2013
Costa Rica Institute of Technology. B.Sc. in Biotechnology Engineering. 2008
Professional Experience
|
Position / Activity |
Institution |
Period |
|
Professor and Researcher in the Biotechnology Engineering Program and the Biotechnology Research Center. Teaching and Research. |
School of Biology, Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC) |
October 2008 – Present |
|
Consultant and Data Scientist for Clinical Studies on Medical Devices: • Estimation of power, margin of error, and variability in clinical trials. • Statistical analysis of data and technical reports for the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. • Forecasting and modeling of biological variables in complaint studies. |
Costa Rica Institute of Technology Foundation (FUNDATEC). Clients: Establishment Labs, Creganna Medical, UNA’s Large Animal Hospital, Ministry of Health. |
January 2019 – Present |
|
Consultant and Data Scientist for Molecular Biology Studies: |
FUNDATEC Clients: DelMonte, State Phytosanitary Service, Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), Hybrida Farms. |
January 2021 – Present |
|
Scientific Director: Responsible for research and development projects and initiatives. |
Animalium Foundation |
2024 – Present |
|
Scientific Intern: Preparative Macromolecular Chemistry |
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP) |
January 2019 – May 2019 |
|
Sales officer for the Biotechnology Research Center and the School of Biology |
School of Biology, Costa Rica Institute of Technology |
January 2017 – December 2018 |
|
Officer for Biotechnology–Industry Linkage at the School of Biology |
School of Biology, Costa Rica Institute of Technology |
June 2016 – June 2018 |
|
Coordinator of Graduation Projects and Industry Linkage for the Biotechnology Program |
School of Biology, Costa Rica Institute of Technology |
January 2015 – December 2016 |
|
Accreditation Committee Member for the Bachelor’s Program in Biotechnology Engineering |
School of Biology, Costa Rica Institute of Technology |
January 2014 – May 2014 |
|
Brand and Media Specialist. South Central America Region (CAS), TEC Local Committee |
AIESEC (ONG) |
July 2008 – January 2009 |
|
Research Intern. Costa Rica Coffee Research Center. Final Graduation Project. |
Costa Rica Coffee Institute (ICAFE), Department of Plant Pathology |
January 2008 – August 2008 |
|
Research Project Assistant. Tissue Culture. |
Biotechnology Research Center, Costa Rica Institute of Technology |
January 2006 – December 2007 |
Professional Experience
Teaching Experience
|
Institution |
Course |
Período |
|
School of Biology, Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC). Last 5-years TEC Score 9.06-10.0 / 10.0.
|
Plant Physiology (Theory) |
2018-Present |
|
Plant Physiology Laboratory |
2009-Present | |
|
Statistical Analysis for Biotechnology |
2014-Present | |
|
Advanced Statistics for Biotechnology |
2013-Present | |
|
Application and Analysis of Agricultural Production Systems Laboratory |
2011-2012 | |
|
Plant Tissue Culture I Laboratory |
2009-2010. |
Intellectual Property
Industrial Secret: VINC-069-2023-Proof of deposit and custody of secret No. 01-2023 - Post-harvest protective fungicide formulation.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, Academic Doctorate in Engineering, Área Académica de Doctorado en Ingeniería
Award Date: 11 Nov 2022
Master, Modern Manufacturing Systems, Escuela de Ingeniería en Producción Industrial
Award Date: 4 Jun 2013
Bachelor, Biotechnology Engineering, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica
Award Date: 30 Oct 2008
External positions
TEC Representative: CENAT-CONARE Scholarship Commission
1 Jan 2024 → …
Keywords
- S Agriculture (General)
- TP Chemical technology
- Q Science (General)
Fields of knowledge of Science and Technology according to the OECD Frascati Manual
- Natural Sciences
- Engineering and Technology
- Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Campus del Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica
- CAMPUS TECNOLOGICO CENTRAL CARTAGO
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
-
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 13 Climate Action
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Fortalecimiento de las capacidades productivas del sector hortícola mediante la formación en biotecnología agrícola aplicada a la producción agropecuaria sostenible para agricultores y extensionistas”
Rivera Méndez, W. (Coordinating Researcher (may be from TEC or another entity)), Barboza Fallas, L. A. (Institutional academic collaborator), Watson Guido, W. (Institutional academic collaborator) & Chacón Cerdas, R. (Institutional academic collaborator)
1/01/26 → 31/12/27
Project: Internally funded extension projects › Participatory and collaborative action
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Evaluación y transferencia de un recubrimiento protector postcosecha a base de quitosano contra Botrytis cinerea en bayas de interés comercial
Aguilar, M. (External collaborating researcher ), Alfavo, M. (External collaborating researcher ), Pontigo, C. (External collaborating researcher ), Barboza Fallas, L. A. (Institutional academic coordinator), Alvarado Marchena, L. F. (Institutional academic coordinator), Garro Monge, G. (Institutional academic coordinator) & Chacón Cerdas, R. (Institutional academic coordinator)
1/05/23 → 31/12/24
Project: Internally funded extension projects › Participatory and collaborative action
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Desarrollo de una estrategia interinstitucional para la reducción de contaminantes emergentes en cuerpos de agua de la GAM, Costa Rica.
Chicas Romero, M. (Institutional academic coordinator), Guerrero Barrantes, M. (Institutional academic coordinator), Rivas Solano, O. (Institutional academic coordinator), Guillén Watson, R. (Institutional academic coordinator), Chicas Romero, M. (Institutional academic coordinator), Murillo Vega, F. (Institutional academic coordinator), Pérez Chaves, J. (Institutional academic coordinator), Watson Guido, W. (Institutional academic coordinator), Vargas Segura, W. (Institutional academic coordinator), Chacón Cerdas, R. (Institutional academic coordinator) & Alvarado Marchena, L. F. (Institutional academic coordinator)
1/07/22 → 30/06/24
Project: Research Projects Internally funded › Basic and applied research
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Characterization of virus species associated with sweet potato virus disease in Costa Rica and riboprobe development for its rapid detection
Méndez-Navarro, D., Chacón-Cerdas, R., Alvarado-Ulloa, C., Camacho-Montero, J. R., Sánchez-Navarro, J. Á. & Alvarado-Marchena, L., Feb 2025, In: Plant Pathology. 74, 2, p. 413-421 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Scopus citations -
Preliminary analysis of sweet potato feathery mottle virus accumulation in field-collected sweet potato genotypes co-infected with sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus in Costa Rica
Huang-Qiu, Y., Alvarado-Ulloa, C., Chacón-Cerdas, R. & Alvarado-Marchena, L., Nov 2025, In: European Journal of Plant Pathology. 173, 3, p. 605-609 5 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Desarrollo del ciclo de vida y comparación de la fertilidad de Estigmene albida aislada del cultivo del higo (Ficus carica), bajo condiciones controladas de laboratorio
Schmidt-Duran, A. & Chacon-Cerdas, R., 2024, In: Tecnologia En Marcha. 36, 1, 179 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Design and implementation of a controlled low-cost ventilator for emergency use on ICU patients
Ruiz-Barquero, A., Quesada-Martinez, A., Chacon-Cerdas, R., Alfaro-Lopez, A., Bermudez-Campos, W., Loria-Mesen, H. & Rojas-Fernandez, F., 2024, In: Tecnologia En Marcha. 37, 3, p. 156-169 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Incorporating strawberry leaf extract from waste biomass in prototype topical gel and cream formulations
Salas-Arias, K., Villalta-Romero, F., Chacon-cerdas, R., Hidalgo-Paniagua, D. & Calvo-Castro, L. A., Nov 2024, In: Tecnologia En Marcha. 37, p. 229-236 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review