Andrea Monroy-Licht
About me
Andrea Monroy-Licht, PhD in Environmental Toxicology, holds a master’s in Environmental Management and a Bachelor's in Microbiology. Research focuses on Environmental Biotechnology, particularly Bioremediation and biosolids applications in treating pollutants. Interested in plant-microorganism interactions. Current work centers on phytoremediation of organic, inorganic, and heavy metals like mercury and Arsenic species. Actively studying Eichhornia crassipes, Arabidopsis thaliana plants, and Mangrove Forest Passionate about science education, emphasizing critical thinking in undergraduates. Also, leading a program to spark girls' interest in Science and technology, aiming to narrow the gender gap in the field.
I am a microbiologist from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, with a master’s degree in Environmental Management from the same institution and a PhD in Environmental Toxicology from the University of Cartagena. I bring eight years of experience in the food and beverage industry—covering Quality Control, Quality Management Systems, Environmental Management, Occupational Health and Safety, and water purification and wastewater treatment—and over 15 years in academia, teaching General Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Environmental and Industrial Biotechnology, and Ecotoxicology.
My research focuses on microbial culture collections, bioremediation, and the potential uses of biosolids. I currently work on the phytoremediation of heavy metals—particularly mercury—and metalloids such as arsenic, with a special interest in plant stress-response mechanisms. I also study water pollution and biological mechanisms for its remediation, addressing inorganic and organic pollutants and heavy metals. Much of my fieldwork is based in estuarine ecosystems of the Colombian Caribbean, given their importance for disaster risk reduction, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
In parallel, I conduct research on science education to strengthen university students’ critical thinking and support emotional self-regulation—especially anxiety around assessments. This work informs my classroom practice and outreach.
I direct the program “Science Is for Girls” and am a member of the Young Academy of Colombia (affiliated with the Colombian Academy of Exact, Physical, and Natural Sciences), the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), the For Women in Science community of the L’Oréal Foundation (since December 6, 2022), the Colombian Network of Women Scientists, and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC). In 2022, I received the For Women in Science award (L’Oréal–MinCiencias–ICETEX–UNESCO National Commission, Colombia). I have several scientific publications and participate in multiple research and outreach projects in collaboration with national and international partners.
International outlook: I am open to research collaborations, invited talks, student supervision, and joint field projects focused on bioremediation, estuarine health, and science education—especially initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 6, 12, 13, 14).
Publications & profiles:
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1188-6324
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zRyhUBsAAAAJ&hl=es
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrea-Monroy-Licht
Other Memberships/Affiliations
Degrees:
Google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=zRyhUBsAAAAJ&hl=es
ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrea-Monroy-Licht