Mónica Barra

Back in the days as a research-active Faculty member, Mónica Barra's research projects focused on understanding fundamental thermodynamic and kinetic properties of organic systems of significance to the general field of materials science and of various potential uses, ranging from pharmaceutical applications and catalysis to sensors and microelectronics.

Investigations were based primarily on the application of UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and time-resolved laser-flash photolysis techniques. While the emphasis of our projects had been on thermodynamic and kinetic properties, studies also involved organic synthesis, and thus the application of chromatographic techniques, mass spectrometry as well as NMR and IR spectroscopy.

• Kinetics
• Thermodynamics
• Reaction mechanisms
• Time-resolved laser-flash photolysis
• Host-guest organic chemistry

• 1988, Ph.D. Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
• 1984, B.Sc. Honours Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina

• 2021 Outstanding Performance Award, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo
• 2017 Distinguished Teacher Award (DTA), University of Waterloo
• 2016 Outstanding Performance Award, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo
• 2016 Excellence in Science Teaching Award (ESTA), Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo
• 2012 Outstanding Performance Award, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo
• 2002 UG Chemistry Club "Chem. Prof. of the Year" Award, University of Waterloo
• 1998 CNC/IUPAC Travel Award
• 1993 Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Award for academic achievements
• 1989 Dr. Luis Gugliamelli Award, Argentinean Chemical Society
• 1984 Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Undergraduate Award in Chemistry

• Associate Dean of Science, Undergraduate Studies, 2020-2023
• Associate Chair, Undergraduate & Co-op programs, Department of Chemistry, 2015-2020
• Chair, Undergraduate Affairs Committee, 2015-2020
• Undergraduate Operations Committee, 2011-2020
• Executive Committee, 2005-2007, 2011-2020
• Coordinator, Undergraduate mentoring program, 2012-2015
• Associate Chair, Department of Chemistry, 2011-2014
• Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, 2011-2014
• Graduate Officer, 2004-2009
• (GWC)2 Coordinating Committee, 2004-2009
• Graduate Advisory Committee, 2001-2009

• CHEM 123 - General Chemistry 2
  • Taught in 2020
• CHEM 262 - Organic Chemistry for Engineering
  • Taught in 2024
• CHEM 264 - Organic Chemistry 1
  • Taught in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
• CHEM 265 - Organic Chemistry 2
  • Taught in 2019, 2020
• CHEM 267 - Basic Organic Chemistry 2
  • Taught in 2019
• CHEM 400 - Special Topics in Chemistry
  • Taught in 2019, 2020, 2024

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

• Fu, J.; Barra, M. 2012, A computational study of the thermal cis-to-trans isomerization of N-(phenylazo)-substituted nitrogen heterocycles. Trends Org. Chem. 16, 1-8.
• Barra, M.; Van Veller, B.; Verberne, C., 2011, Absolute rate constants for 5-deazariboflavin triplet excited state in one-electron transfer processes. J Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chem. 225, 113-116.
• Tabone, R.; Barra, M., 2011, Thermal cis-to-trans isomerization of triazene dyes in doped polymer films. Dyes Pigm. 88, 180-186.
• Lim, H.; Zhang, H.; Barra, M., 2010, Spectrophotometric determination and linear free energy relationship analysis of acidity constants for 1,3-diphenyltriazenes. J. Chem. Eng., 55, 4917-4921.
• Xu, T.; Vaez-Zadeh Asadi, A.; Barra, M. 2010, Inhibition of acid-induced decomposition of diphenyltriazenes by complexation with cyclodextrins, Int. J. Chem. Kinet., 42, 567-74.