MARIA A. HERNANDEZ, Ph.D. has a proven track record in organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, and in process and product development. She is creative, team-oriented, results-driven, and a strong problem solver. She has vast experience in industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals bulk manufacturing under cGMP and has managed validation projects in Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plants and led multidisciplinary teams for Total Quality Management projects. She has authored seven chapters in a Pharmacology book and is currently dedicated to teaching medicinal chemistry at the University level. Her research interests include the synthesis of serine protease and protein kinase inhibitors as therapeutic agents and the study of Phenylalanine in signaling pathways.