Julio Turrens

Comprehensive Colleges and Universities Constituency Director
Associate Dean and Director of Graduate Studies
University of South Alabama

Dr. Julio F. Turrens received his Doctorate in Chemistry (Biochemistry) from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. His is currently professor of Biomedical Sciences and Associate Dean in the College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama. He joined Sigma Xi in 1994.

His research has been focused in two areas including free radical metabolism in mammalian cells, and intermediate metabolism of parasitic protozoa. His research resulted in the identification of various intracellular sources of oxidant species. He has developed methods to detect their formation. The second area of interest focuses on the intermediate metabolism ofTrypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas' disease in Central and South America. His main contribution in this area was the identification of an enzyme (NADH-fumarate reductase) which isnot found in the mammalian host that may serve as a target against these parasitic diseases.

Dr. Turrens has developed undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas Biochemistry, Bioethics and Responsible Conduct of Research. He is a councilor with the Council on Undergraduate Research and Chair of the At-Large division in the same organization.

Dr. Turrens has published over 100 peer reviewed articles and book chapters and has served in numerous peer review committees at NIH, NSF and AIBS.