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, PhD, Chemistry, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina

• 1984, BSc, 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

• 2020-2023, Associate Dean of Science, Undergraduate Studies

• 2015-2020, Associate Chair, Undergraduate & Co-op programs, Department of Chemistry

• 2015-2020, Chair, Undergraduate Affairs Committee

• 2011-2020, Undergraduate Operations Committee

• 2011-2020, 2005-2007, Executive Committee

• 2012-2015, Coordinator, Undergraduate mentoring program

• 2011-2014, Associate Chair, Department of Chemistry

• 2011-2014, Chair, Undergraduate Curriculum Committee

• 2004-2009, Graduate Officer

• 2004-2009, (GWC)2 Coordinating Committee

• 2001-2009, Graduate Advisory Committee

• 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.