Rodolfo Mundaca‐Uribe

University of California San Diego, University of Concepción

Papers

Total Citations

139

H-Index

About

Rodolfo Mundaca-Uribe is a rising star in the field of biohybrid microrobotics, with a research focus that bridges environmental health and advanced drug delivery. His most impactful work tackles the urgent challenge of viral contamination in water systems. In his highly cited 2021 study (94 citations), he engineered an innovative algae-based microrobot modified with ACE2 receptors to actively capture and remove SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater, demonstrating a powerful new strategy for controlling waterborne viral transmission. Beyond environmental applications, Mundaca-Uribe is pioneering the next generation of oral therapeutics. His 2023 work on "multifunctional robotic pills" and a 2025 study on "robotic micromotors transforming oral drug administration" (8 citations) explore how self-propelled biohybrid and synthetic micromotors can dramatically enhance drug bioavailability by extending localized retention on the intestinal wall. This research promises to revolutionize how medications are delivered, moving from passive dissolution to active, targeted transport within the body. With a portfolio that creatively applies micro-robotics to both pandemic response and precision medicine, Mundaca-Uribe is establishing himself as a key innovator in translating micromotor technology into real-world clinical and environmental solutions.