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Santiago Toledo

Associate Professor
American University

The Toledo lab is a synthetic bioinorganic group that focuses on the role that first-row transition metals play in biological systems and catalysis. The lab's research themes are a. the synthesis and reactivity of biomimetic models of metalloenzymes with the goal of understanding the role that metalloenzymes play in disease states including cancer development and neurodegenerative diseases. b. the design of bioinspired catalysts to promote challenging oxidative transformations for use on environmentally relevant degradation of organic compounds. The Toledo lab uses a variety of synthetic (organic and inorganic), and spectroscopic tools to characterize and understand these novel bioinspired inorganic complexes and their respective reaction mechanisms.

Dr. Toledo is passionate about student learning and mentoring. He is interested in course design structures that promote equitable and inclusive learning environments. Specifically, this work focuses on the use of clearly delineated student learning outcomes built around taxonomies of learning, and alternative grading structures.

Dr. Toledo obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Washington, Seattle, under the supervision of Dr. Julie Kovacs. He graduated with a B.S. in Chemistry from Texas Lutheran University, where he was mentored by Dr. John McClusky. Dr. Toledo started his academic career at his alma matter, Texas Lutheran University. He then moved to St. Edward’s University where he served as Department Chair from 2019-2022. He is a native of Quito, Ecuador. He loves running, hiking, fútbol and his amazing family.