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- Detailed Information
Maria Contel
Professor
Chemistry
Location: 3149 Ingersoll Hall
Phone: 718.951.5000 x2833
Fax: 718.951.4607
Email:
Maria Contel's Web site
Maria Contel was a postdoctoral fellow at the Australian National University (1997-99) and at the University of Utrecht (1999-2000). She was a senior researcher (Ramón y Cajal Fellow, the most prestigious fellowship for young investigators in Spain) at the University of Zaragoza before starting as an Assistant Professor at Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center in 2006. She became an Associate Professor in 2011, a Tow Professor in 2015 and in August 2016 she was promoted to Full Professor. She joined the PhD Programs of Biology (2014) and Biochemistry (2018) as a faculty member. She is one of the founders and Director of the Brooklyn College Cancer Center. Her research interests lie in the field of inorganic/organometallic/medicinal chemistry and homogeneous catalysis. She mostly teaches Inorganic Chemistry courses. Her mentoring activities focus on diversifying STEM and biomedical fields.
Education:
Higher Education Leadership Development Program, HERS Summer Institute (Bryn Mawr College) - 2018
Ph.D., Public University of Navarra (Spain) - 1996 (Chemistry, General)
B.S. / M.S., University of Zaragoza (Spain) - 1993 (Chemical Sciences, Inorganic Chemistry)
Areas of Expertise:
Contel is a synthetic inorganic/organometallic chemist. Her subfields are medicinal chemistry and homogenous catalysis. She synthesizes new metal-based compounds with potential applications as: a) anticancer and antimicrobial drugs, and b) recoverable homogenous catalysts. She is currently focused on the study of mechanism of anticancer metal-based drugs and the design of delivery vehicles. She has been funded by the National Institutes of Health since 2010 (current grant 2018-2023).
Books and Publications
E. Rodríguez-Arce, E. Gavrilov, X. Alvite, N. Nayeem, I.E. León, M.C. Neary, L. Otero, D. Gambino, C. Olea Azar, M. Contel, 5-Nitrofuryl-Containing Thiosemicarbazone Gold(I) Compounds: Synthesis, Stability Studies, and Anticancer Activity. ChemPlusChem, e202300115. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2023
J. E. López-Hernandez, M. Contel. 'Promising heterometallic compounds as anticancer agents: Recent studies in vivo'.Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. 72, 102250. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2023
Y. Marciano, V. del Solar, D. Dave, J. Son, M. Contel, R.V. Ulijn. 'Encapsulation of Gold-Based Anticancer Agents in Protease-Degradable Peptide Nanofilaments Enhances Their Potency'. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 145, 1, 234-246.
(Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2023
R.H. Huang, N. Nayeem, Y. He, J. Morales, D. Graham, R. Klajn, M. Contel, S. O'Brien, and R.V. Ulijn. 'Self-Complementary Zwitterionic Peptides Direct Nanoparticle Assembly and Enable Enzymatic Selection of Endocytic Pathways'. Advanced Materials. Adv. Mater., 34, 2104962. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2022
K. Miachin, V. del Solar, E. El Khoury, N. Nayeem, A. Khrystenko, P. Appelt, M.C. Neary, D. Buccella, and M. Contel. 'Intracellular Localization Studies of the Luminescent Analogue of an Anticancer Ruthenium Iminophosphorane with High Efficacy in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Mouse Model'. Inorganic Chemistry. 2021, 60, 60, 19152-64. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2021
N. Nayeem N, A. Yeasmin, S.N. Cobos, A. Younes, K. Hubbard, and M. Contel. 'Investigation of the effects and mechanisms of anticancer action of a Ru(II)-arene iminophosphorane compound in triple negative breast cancer cells'. ChemMedChem. 16(21) 3280-92.
(Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2021
N. Nayeem, and M. Contel. 'Exploring the Potential of Metallodrugs as Chemotherapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer'. Chemistry-A European Journal. 27, 8891-8917. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2021
B. Elie, K. Hubbard, B. Layek, W. Seok Yang, S. Prabha, J.W. Ramos, and M. Contel. 'Auranofin-Based Analogues Are Effective Against Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma In Vivo and Display No Significant Systemic Toxicity'. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science. 3(4) 644-654. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020
S. Sarpong-Kumankomah, M. Contel, and J. Gailer. 'Sec Hyphenated to a Multielement-Specific Detector Unravels the Degradation Pathway of a Bimetallic Anticancer Complex in Human Plasma'. Journal of Chromatography B.,1145, 122093. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2020
N. Curado, and M. Contel. Chapter 6: 'Heterometallic Complexes as Anticancer Agents'.
In 'Metal-based Anticancer Agents'. Book Series Metallobiology.
Editors: Angela Casini, Anne Vessières, Samuel M Meier-Menches (Royal Society of Chemistry).
Print ISBN: 978-1-78801-406-9. ePub eISBN: 978-1-78801-767-1. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2019
B.T. Elie, J. Fernandez-Gallardo, N. Curado, M.A. Cornejo, J.W. Ramos, and M. Contel. 'Bimetallic titanocene-gold phosphane complexes inhibit invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis-associated signaling molecules in renal cancer'. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 161, 310-322. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
B.T. Elie, K. Hubbard, Y. Pechenyy, B. Layek, S. Prabha, and M. Contel. 'Preclinical evaluation of an unconventional ruthenium-gold-based chemotherapeutic: RANCE-1, in clear cell renal cell carcinoma'. Cancer Medicine, 4304-4314. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
Editor of the special issue (Book) 'Unconventional Anticancer Metallodrugs and Strategies to Improve their Pharmacological Profile' in Inorganics.
https://doi.org/10.3390/books978-3-03921-316-0
(Books and Publications: Book (Edited)) 2019
J. Son, D. Kalafatovic, M. Kumar, B. Yoo, M.A. Cornejo, M. Contel, and R.V. Ulijn. 'Customizing Morphology, Size, and Response Kinetics of Matrix Metalloproteinase-Responsive Nanostructures by Systematic Peptide Design'. ACS Nano. 13, 1555-1562.
(Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
J.M. Vincent, M. Contel, G. Pozzi, and R.H. Fish. 'How the Horváth paradigm, Fluorous Biphasic Catalysis, affected oxidation chemistry: Successes, challenges, and a sustainable future'. Coordination Chemistry Reviews 380, 584-599 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
N. Curado N. Giménez K. Miachin M. Aliaga-Lavrijsen M.A. Cornejo, A.A. Jarzecki, and M. Contel. 'Preparation of Titanocene-Gold Compounds Based on Highly Active Gold(I)-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Anticancer Agents: Preliminary in vitro Studies in Renal and Prostate Cancer Cell Lines'. ChemMedChem. 14, 1 - 11. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
N. Curado, G. Dewaele-LeRoi, S. Poty, J.S. Lewis, and M. Contel. 'Trastuzumab gold-conjugates: synthetic approach and in vitro evaluation of anticancer activities in breast cancer cell lines'. Chemical Communications. 55, 1394-1397. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
V. Del Solar, and M. Contel. 'Metal-Based Antibody Drug Conjugates. Potential and Challenges in Their Application as Targeted Therapies in Cancer'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 119, 110780 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2019
B.T. Elie, Y. Pechenyy, F. Uddin, and M. Contel. 'A heterometallic ruthenium-gold complex displays antiproliferative, antimigratory, and antiangiogenic properties and inhibits metastasis and angiogenesis-associated proteases in renal cancer'. Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. 23, 399-411 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2018
E. Fisher, L. Kenisgbergh, M. Carreira, J. Fernández-Gallardo, R. Baldwin, and M. Contel.
'Water-compatible gold and silver nanoparticles as catalysts for the oxidation of alkenes'. Polyhedron. 120, 82-87. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
I. De la Cueva-Alique, L. Muñoz-Moreno, Y. Benebdelouahab, B.T. Elie, M.A. El Amrani, M.E.G. Mosquera, M. Contel, M.T. Bajo, T. Cuenca, and E. Royo. 'Novel enatiopure cyclopentadienyl Ti(IV) oximato compounds as potential anticancer agents'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 156: 22-34 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
J. Fernández-Gallardo, B.T. Elie, M. Sanaú, and M. Contel. 'Versatile Synthesis of Cationic N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold(I) Complexes Containing a Second Ancillary Ligand. Design of Heterobimetallic Ruthenium-Gold Anticancer Agents'. Chemical Communications. 52: 3155-3158. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
J.P. Owings, N.N. McNair, Y.F. Mui, T.N. Gustafsson, A. Holmgren, M. Contel, J.B. Goldberg, J.R. Mead. 'Auranofin and N-heterocyclic carbene gold- analogs are potent inhibitors of the bacteria Helicobacter. Pylori'. FEMS Microbiology Letters. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/femsle/fnw148 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
M. Maroto-Diaz, B.T. Elie, P. Gomez-Sal, J. Perez-Serrano, R. Gomez, M. Contel, and F.J. De la Mata. 'Synthesis and anticancer activity of carbosilane metallodendrimers based on arene ruthenium(II) complexes'. Dalton Transactions. 45: 7049-7066. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
Y.F. Mui, J. Fernandez-Gallardo, B.T. Elie, A. Gubran, I. Maluenda, M. Sanau, O. Navarro, and M. Contel. 'Titanocene-Gold Complexes Containing N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Inhibit Growth of Prostate, Renal, and Colon Cancers in Vitro'. Organometallics, 35, 1218-1227. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2016
Y. Benabdelouahab, M. Muñoz-Moreno, M. Frik, I. de la Cueva-Alique, M.A. El Amrani, M. Contel, A.M. Bajo, T. Cuenca, and E. Royo. 'Hydrogen Bonding and Anticancer Properties of Water-Soluble Chiral p-Cymene RuII Compounds with Amino-Oxime Ligands'. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 2295-2307. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015
J. Fernández-Gallardo, B.T. Elie, T. Sadhukha, S. Prabha, M. Sanaú, S.A. Rotenberg, J.W. Ramos and M. Contel. 'Heterometallic titanium-gold complexes inhibit renal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo'. Chemical Science. 6, 5269-5283. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015
L. Massai, J. Fernández-Gallardo, A. Guerri, A. Arcangeli, S. Pillozzi, M. Contel, and L. Messori. 'Design, synthesis and characterisation of new chimeric ruthenium(II)-gold(I) complexes as improved cytotoxic agents'. Dalton Transactions. 44, 11067-76. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015
M. Frik, J. Fernández-Gallardo, O. Gonzalo, V. Mangas-Sanjuan, M. González-Alvarez, A. Serrano del Valle, C. Hu, I. González-Alvarez, M. Bermejo, I. Marzo and M. Contel. 'Cyclometalated Iminophosphorane Gold(III) and Platinum (II) Complexes. A Highly Permeable cationic Platinum (II) Compound with Promising Anticancer Properties'. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 58, 5825-5841 (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2015
J. Fernández-Gallardo, B.T. Elie, F. Sulzmaier, M. Sanaú, J.W. Ramos and M. Contel. 'Organometallic Titanocene-Gold Compounds as Potential Chemotherapeutics in Renal Cancer. Study of their Protein KInase Inhibitory Properties'. Organometallics, 33: 6669-81. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014
M. Frik, A. Martinez, B.T. Elie, O. Gonzalo, D. Ramirez de Mingo, M. Sanaú, R. Sánchez-Delgado, T. Sadhukha, S. Prabha, J.W. Ramos, I. Marzo and M. Contel. 'In vitro and in vivo Evaluation of Water-soluble Iminophosphorane Ruthenium(II) Compounds. A Potential Chemotherapeutic Agent for Triple Negative Breast Cancer'. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 57, 9995-10012. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014
M. Frik, J. Jiménez, V. Vasilevski, M. Carreira, A. de Almeida, E. Gascón, F. Benoit, M. Sanaú, A. Casini and M. Contel. 'Luminescent Iminophosphorane Gold, Palladium and Platinum Complexes as Potential Anticancer Agents'. Inorganic Chemistry Frontiers, 1, 231-41 (front cover of the March issue). (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014
Y. Hokai, B. Jurkowicz, J. Fernández-Gallardo, N. Zakirkhodjaev, M. Sanaú, T.R. Muth and M. Contel. 'Auranofin and Related Heterometallic Gold(I)-Thiolates as Potent Inhibitors of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacterial Strains'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry. 138, 81-88. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2014
N. Lease, V. Vasileviski, M. Carreira, A. de Almeida, M. Sanaú, P. Hirva, A. Casini and M. Contel. 'Potential Anticancer Heterometallic Fe−Au and Fe−Pd Agents: Initial Mechanistic Insights'. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 56, 5806-18. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2013
G.-D. Roiban, T. Soler, M. Contel, I. Grosu, C. Cativiela and E.P. Urriolabeitia. 'Reactivity of unsaturated 5(4H)-oxazolones with Hg(II) acetate. Synthesis of methyl N-benzoylamino-3-arylacrylates'. Synthetic Communications 42, 195. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2012
M. Carreira, R. Calvo-Sanjuán, M. Sanaú, X. Zhao, R. Magliozzo, I. Marzo and M. Contel. 'Cytotoxic Hydrophilic Iminophosphorane Coordination Compounds of d8 Metals. Studies of Their Interactions With DNA and HSA'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry.116, 204-14. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2012
M. Carreira, and M. Contel. 'Fluorous Hydrosilylation'. Topics in Current Chemistry 308, 247-74. Invited chapter to the Special Volume on Fluorous Chemistry. Ed. I.T. Horvárth. Published online, September. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2012
M. Carreira, R. Calvo-Sanjuán, M. Sanaú, I. Marzo and M. Contel. 'Organometallic Palladium Complexes With a Water-Soluble Iminophosphorane Ligand as Potential Anticancer Agents'. Organometallics. 31, 5772-81. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2012
M. Frik, J. Jimenez, I. Gracia, L.R. Falvello, S. Abi-Habib, K. Suriel, T.R. Muth and M. Contel. 'Luminescent Di and Trinuclear Organometallic Gold(I)-M (Au2, Au2Ag and Au2Cu) Compounds Containing Bidentante Phosphanes as Active Antimicrobial Agents'. Chemistry - A European Journal. 18, 3659-74. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2012
F. Liu, R. Amis, E. Hwang, A. Varela-Ramirez, R.J. Aguilera, R. Ovalle and M. Contel. 'Group 11 Metal Compounds with Tripodal Bis(imidazole) Thioether Ligands. Applications as Catalysts in the Oxidation of Alkenes and as Antimicrobial Agents'. Molecules (invitation to a special issue on Pincer Complexes) 16, 6701. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2011
J.F. González-Pantoja, M. Stern, A.A. Jarzecki, E. Royo, E. Robles-Escajeda, A. Varela-Ramirez, R.J. Aguilera and M. Contel. 'Titanocene-Phosphine Derivatives as Precursors to Cytotoxic Heterometallic TiAu2 and TiM (M = Pd, Pt) Compounds. Studies of Their Interactions with DNA'. Inorganic Chemistry. 50, 11099. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2011
L. Vela, M. Contel, L. Palomera, G. Azaceta and I. Marzo. 'Iminophosphorane-organogold(III) Complexes Induce Cell Death Through Mitochondrial ROS Production'. Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry, 105, 1306. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2011
"Gold Chemistry: Applications and Future Directions in the Life Sciences," ed. Fabian Mohr, book review. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 49, 250; Angewandte Chemie 122, 258. (Books and Publications: Book Review) 2010
D. Aguilar, M. Contel and E.P. Urriolabeitia. 'Mechanistic Insights in the One-Pot Synthesis of Propargylamines From Terminal Alkynes and Amines in Chlorinated Solvents Catalyzed by Gold Compounds and Nanoparticles'. Chemistry-A European Journal. 16, 9287. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010
G.-D. Roiban,E. Serrano, T. Soler, M. Contel, I. Grosu, C. Cativiela and E.P. Urroiolabeitia. 'Orthopalladation of (Z)-2-Aryl-4-Arylidene-5(4H)-Oxazolones. Structure and Functionalization'. Organometallics 29, 1428-35. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2010
B.T. Elie, C. Levine, I. Ubarretxena-Belandia, A. Varela, R. Aguilera, R. Ovalle and M. Contel. 'Water Soluble Phosphane-Gold(I) Complexes. Applications as Recyclable Catalysts in a Three-Component Coupling Reaction and as Anticancer and Antimicrobial Agents'. European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry. 3421. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009
D. Aguilar, M. Contel, R. Navarro, T. Soler and E.P. Urriolabeitia. 'Gold(III) Iminophosphorane Complexes as Catalysts in C-C and C-O Bond Formations'.Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 694, 486 (invitation to a special issue, "Gold Catalysis: New Perspectives for Homogeneous Catalysis"). (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009
N. Shaik, A. Martinez, I. Augustin, H. Giovinazzo, A. Varela, R. Aguilera, M. Sanau and M. Contel. 'Synthesis of Apoptosis-Inducing Iminophosphorane Organogold(III) Complexes and Study of Their Interactions with Biomolecular Targets'. Inorganic Chemistry. 48,1577. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2009
D. Aguilar, R. Bielsa, M. Contel, A. Lledos, R. Navarro, T. Soler and E.P. Urriolabeitia. 'Regioselective Orthopalladation of Stabilized Iminophosphoranes in Exo Position: Scope, Limitations and Mechanistic Insights'. Organometallics. 13, 2929-2936. (Books and Publications: Forthcoming Publications) 2008
D. Aguilar, M. Contel, R. Navarro and E. Urriolabeitia. 'Organogold(III) Iminophosphorane Complexes as Efficient Catalysts in the Addition of 2-Methylfuran and Electron-Rich Arenes to Methyl Vinyl Ketone'. Organometallics. 26, 4604. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007
D. Lantos, M. Contel, S. Sanz, A. Bodor and I.T. Horvárth. 'Homogeneous Gold-Catalyzed Hydrosilylation of Aldehydes'. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 692, 1799. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2007
D. Lantos, M. Contel, A. Larrea, D. Szabó and I.T. Horváth. 'Fluorous Phosphine Assisted Recycling of Gold Catalysts for Hydrosilylation of Aldehydes'. QSAR & Combinatorial Science. 25, 719. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2006
M. Contel, P.R. Villuendas, J. Fernández-Gallardo, P.J. Alonso, J.-M. Vincent and R.H. Fish. 'Fluorocarbon Soluble Copper(II) Carboxylate Complexes with Non-Fluoroponytailed Ligands as Precatalysts for the Oxidation of Alkenols and Alcohols Under Fluorous Biphasic or Thermomorphic Modes: Structural and Mechanistic Aspects'. Inorganic Chemistry. 44, 9971. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005
R.H. Fish, A. Rabion, K. Neimann, R. Neumann, J.-M. Vincent, M. Contel, C. Izuel, P.R. Villuendas and P.J. Alonso. 'Precatalyst Seaparation Paradigms: Alkane Functionalization in Water Utilizing in situ Formed [Fe2O(η1-H2O)(η1-Oac)(TPA)2]3+, Embedded in Surface-Derivatized Silica, as an MMO Model, and Fluorous Biphasic Catalysis for Alkane, Alkene, and Alcohol Oxidation Chemistry'. Topics in Catalysis. 32, 185. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2005
A. Adé, E. Cerrada, M. Contel, M. Laguna, P. Merino and T. Tejero. 'Organometallic Gold(III) and Gold(I) Complexes as Catalysts for the 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition to Nitrones: Synthesis of Novel Gold-Nitrone Derivatives'. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 689, 1788. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2004
J.-M. Vincent, D. Lastécouères, M. Contel, M. Laguna and R.H. Fish. 'Synthesis of Fluorous Nitrogen Ligands and Their Metal Complex as Precatalysts for Application in Alkane, Alkene, and Alcohol Oxidation, and Atom Transfer Radical Reactions'. Handbook of Fluorous Chemistry. Wiley-VHC. Chapter 10.12, 298. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2004
J.-M. Vincent, M. Contel, M. Laguna and R.H. Fish. 'Mn2+/Co2+/Cu2+/Cu+ Complexes of Fluoroponytailed Rf-Tris-N-1,4,7-triazacyclononane and Rf-Carboxylate, C8F17(CH2)2COOH. Precatalysts for FBC Alkane, Alkene, and Alcohol Oxidation Chemistry'. Handbook of Fluorous Chemistry. Wiley-VHC. Chapter 11.15, 394. (Books and Publications: Book Chapter) 2004
M. Contel, C. Izuel, R.H. Fish, M. Laguna, P.R. Villuendas and P.J. Alonso. 'Fluorous Biphasic Catalysis: Synthesis and Characterization of Copper (I) and Copper (II) Fluoroponytailed 1,4,7-Rf-TACN and 2,2´-Bipyridine Complexes, and Demonstration of Their Catalytic Activity in the Oxidation of Hydrocarbons, Olefins, and Alcohols, Including Mechanistic Implications'. Chemistry - A European Journal. 9, 4168. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2003
R. Casado, M. Contel, M. Laguna, P. Romero and S. Sanz. 'Organometallic Gold(III) Compounds as Catalysts for the Addition of Water and Methanol to Terminal Alkynes'. Journal of the American Chemical Society. 125, 11925. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2003
M. Contel, M. Stol, M.A. Casado, G.P.M. van Klink, D.D. Ellis, A.L. Spek and G. Van Koten. 'A Bis(ortho-amine)aryl-Gold(I) Compound as an Efficient, Nontoxic, Arylating Reagent'. Organometallics. 21, 4556. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2002
M. Laguna, J. Garrido and M. Contel. 'Mesityl-Gold(I) Complexes'. Inorganic Synthesis. 33, 181. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2002
M.A. Bennett, M. Contel, D.C.R. Hockless, L.L. Welling and A.C. Willis. 'Bis{(2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl}mercury: A P-Donor Ligand and Precursor to Mixed Metal-Mercury (d8-d10) Cyclometalated Complexes Containing 2-C6H4PPh2'. Inorganic Chemistry. 41, 844. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2002
E. Cerrada, M. Contel, A.D. Valencia, M. Laguna, T. Gelbrich and M.B. Hursthouse. 'A New, Simple Route to Novel Gold Clusters: Structure of an Au6Ag Wheel with a Gold Rim'. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 39, 2353. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2000
M. Contel, A.J. Edwards, J. Garrido, M.B. Hursthouse, M. Laguna and R. Terroba. 'J.Mesityl Gold(III) Complexes. X-ray Structure of Mononuclear [Au(mes)2Cl(PPh3)] and the Dimer [Au(mes)2Cl]2'. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 607, 129. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2000
M. Contel, D. Nobel, G. van Koten and A.L. Spek. 'Reactivity of Bis-[{2,6-bis(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl}gold(I)], an Unusual Intermolecularly Stabilized Bis(amino)-Aryl-Gold(I) Dimer, Towards Alkyl Halides. X-ray Crystal Structures of Its Iodomethane and Methylene Iodide Adducts'. Organometallics. 19, 3288. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2000
M.A. Bennett, A.M. Clark, M. Contel, C.E.F. Rickard, W.R. Roper and L.J. Wright. 'Cyclometallated Complexes of Ruthenium and Osmium Containing the o-C6H4PPh2 Ligand'. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 601, 299. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 2000
M. Contel, J. Garrido, M.C. Gimeno and M. Laguna. 'A Silver (I) Center Solely Bonded to Four Gold (I) Atoms'. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions. 1083. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1998
M. Laguna, M.D. Villacampa, M. Contel and J. Garrido. 'Hexanuclear Mercury-Silver Complexes. Novel Coordination for Bridging Mesityl and Triflate Groups'. Inorganic Chemistry. 37, 133. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1998
M.A. Bennett, M. Contel, D.C.R. Hockless and L.L. Welling. 'Bis{2-diphenylphosphino)phenyl}Mercury: A Novel Bidentate Ligand and Transfer Reagent for the o-C6H4PPh2 Group'. Chemical Communications. 2401. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1998
B. Findeis, M. Contel, L.H. Gade, M. Laguna, M.C. Gimeno, I. Scowen and M. McPartlin. 'Triamidostannagold Complexes in Different Oxidation States. First Structural Characterization of a Sn-Au-Au-Sn Linear Chain'. Inorganic Chemistry. 36, 2386. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1997
M. Contel, J. Garrido, J. Jiménez, P.G. Jones, M. Laguna and A. Laguna. 'Trimethylsilylmethyl Gold (I) Complexes. X-Ray Structure of [Au(CH2SiMe3) (PPh2CH2PPh2Me)]ClO4.0,25CH2Cl2'. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry. 543, 71. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1997
M. Contel, J. Garrido, M.C. Gimeno, J. Jiménez, P.G. Jones, A. Laguna and M. Laguna. 'Polynuclear Mesityl-Gold and -Gold-Silver Derivatives. Crystal Structure of [Ag(µ-dppm){Au(mes)}2]ClO4.3CH2Cl2 (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, mes=mesityl)'. Inorganica Chimica Acta. 254, 157. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1997
M. Contel, J. Garrido, M.C. Gimeno, P.G. Jones, A. Laguna and M. Laguna. 'Trinuclear Au2Ag and Au2Cu Complexes with Mesityl Bridging Ligands. X-Ray Structure of the One-Dimensional Chain Polymer [{Au(µ-mes)(AsPh3}2Ag]ClO4'. Organometallics 15, 4939. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1996
M. Contel, K.W. Hellmann, L.H. Gade, I.J. Scowen, M. McPartlin and M. Laguna. 'Triamidogerma- and -Stanna-aurates (I): First Structural Characterisation of a Ge-Au-Ge Unit'. Inorganic Chemistry. 35, 3713. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1996
M. Contel, J. Jiménez, P.G. Jones, A. Laguna and M. Laguna. 'Mesityl Gold Complexes. Synthesis and Reactivity. X-Ray structure of [{PPh3Au(µ-mes)Ag(tht)}2][SO3CF3]2 (mes=mesityl, tht = tetrahidrothiophene)'. Journal of the Chemical Society, Dalton Transactions. 2515. (Books and Publications: Article (Peer-reviewed)) 1994
Awards, Honors and Fellowships
American Cancer Society Diversity in Cancer Research Institutional Development Grant Program. "Supporting Cancer Research at Brooklyn College Cancer Center, a Highly Diverse Institution". $2,613,000.00. January 2023-December 2026. (Awards and Honors) 2023
Gray Foundation Grant: Brooklyn College Cancer Center Operation Support. January-December 2023. $100,000. Co-PI. (Awards and Honors) 2023
Brooklyn College Outstanding Faculty Service Award (Awards and Honors) 2022
George and Beatrice Schwartzman Professorship in Chemistry (2022-2023) (Awards and Honors) 2022
Jacques Edward Levy Professor Professor. Chemistry Department, Brooklyn College (2021-2022). (Awards and Honors) 2021
PSC-CUNY Enhanced Research Award. "Ruthenium-Based Small Molecules as Efficient,
Less Toxic, and Cost-Effective Chemotherapeutic Options Against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer." $12,000. (Awards and Honors) 2021
Don Quijote Leadership Award.
Puerto Rican and Latino Studies Department at Brooklyn College & Puerto Rican Alliance. November 2018. (Awards and Honors) 2018
George and Beatrice Schwartzman Professor in Chemistry. Chemistry Department, Brooklyn College. (Awards and Honors) 2018
HERS Clare Boothe Luce Program for Women in STEM Leadership 2018 Fellowship to attend the 2018 HERS Institute at Bryn Mawr College in 2018 (July 9-21). (Awards and Honors) 2018
NIH-NIGMS SCORE SC1 grant, 'Biodegradable nanocarriers and antibodies as targeting delivery vehicles for cancer metallodrugs'. $1,570,000; June 2018-May 2022. (Grants and Fellowships) 2018
National Cancer Institute: 1R13CA200223-01A1. NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings. "1st International Symposium on Clinical and Experimental Metallodrugs in Medicine: Cancer Chemotherapy". November 2015- May 2106. (Grants and Fellowships) 2015
CUNY-Advanced Science Research Center (SEED grants) "Improving selectivity and delivery of potential organometallic-based cancer chemotherapeutics by using peptide- and carbohydrate- amphiphiles as mobile nanocarriers." $10,000; June 2015-May 2016. (Grants and Fellowships) 2015
Tow Professor, 2015-2017. (Awards and Honors) 2015
NIH-NCI SCORE SC1 grant 'Titanium-gold-based Chemotherapeutics for Prostate and Kidney Cancer.' $1,413,000; July 2013-May 2018. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
Tow Faculty Travel Fellowship, Brooklyn College. (Grants and Fellowships) 2013
NIH SCORE, for "Organogold Phosphorus-containing Compounds as Anticancer Agents." $471,000, February 2010-February 2013. (Grants and Fellowships) 2010
PSC-CUNY Research Award. "Gold(III) Compounds as Anti-cancer Agents." $3,300. (Grants and Fellowships) 2009
PSC-CUNY Research Award, "Gold Compounds as Greener Oxidation Homogeneous Catalysts." $3,500. (Awards and Honors) 2008
F21 (class 2007) PKAL fellow. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007
PSC-CUNY New Faculty Research Award. "Gold Compounds as Environmentally Benign Catalysts for Reactions with Potential Industrial Applications." $3,900. (Awards and Honors) 2007
Research Activities
M. Contel, N. Curado, J.S. Lewis, and S. Poty. 'Antibody Drug Conjugates Based on Gold Compounds' US Patent 11,141,490 (10/12/2021). 2021
M. Contel, I. Marzo, M. Frik, and B.T. Elie. 'Arene Ruthenium(II) Derivatives Containing Iminophosphorane Ligands and Their Use in Cancer Therapy'. US Patent 9,555,049 B2 (01/31/2017). 2017
M. Contel, J. Fernández-Gallardo, B.T. Elie, and J.W. Ramos. 'Titanocene Gold Derivatives Comprising Thiolato Ligands'. US Patent 9,315,531 (04/19/2016). 2016
Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums
Invited Lecture at the University of Puerto Rico, Campus Rio Piedras (Metals in Medicine Course ). March 30th, 2023. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2023
"Metals...and beyond: the next 50 years" Symposium. Raitenhaslach, Germany. March 16-18, 2023. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2023
Keynote Lecture.VIII Latin-American Meeting on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (Viña del Mar, Chile). April 2023. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2023
Invited Lecture at the Gordon Research Conference on Metals in Medicine. Proctor Academy, Andover, NY. June 26- July 1, 2022 (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2022
Invited Lecture at the Virtual Symposium "Metal Complexes for Biomedical Applications (MCBA2022) organized by Wiley Chemistry. October 2022. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2022
Invited Talk at the American Chemical Society National Meeting Spring 2022. San Diego, California. March 20-24. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2022
Biology Department, City College of New York (CUNY). March 2021. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Brazil. November 2021.
(Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
Invited Lecture at the American Chemical Society ACS Spring Meeting (Virtual Format). April 2021. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
Invited Lecture at the virtual International Biological Inorganic Chemistry meeting (eBIC). July 2021. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
Keynote Lecture at the International Symposium on Bioorganometallic Chemistry (ISBOMC). October 2021 (virtual event). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
Keynote Lecture.VII Latin-American Meeting on Biological Inorganic Chemistry (Montevideo, Uruguay, Virtual Format). April 2021. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2021
Keynote Lecture. 7th Latin American Symposium on Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry, 5º SILQCOM (Cartagena de Indias, Colombia). August 2019. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
54 Mexican Chemistry Conference. Puebla, Mexico. September 30th -October 3rd. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
Donostia International Physics Center (San Sebastian, Basque Country, Spain). August 2019. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
Invited Lecture at the American Chemical Society ACS Fall Meeting (Inorganic Chemistry Lectureship Seminar, San Diego, California, USA). August 2019. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
Invited Talk at the American Chemical Society National Meeting Spring 2019. Orlando, Florida. March 31st-April 4th. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
Keynote Lecture. American Chemical Society North Eastern Regional Meeting. Saratoga Springs, NY. June 23-26. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
University of Calgary, Canada. December 2019. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2019
Invited talk at the 43rd International Conference on Coordination Chemistry, Sendai (Japan). July 31st-August 4th. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018
Invited talk at the 9th Asian Biological Inorganic Chemistry (AsBIC9). Singapore, Dec 9th-13th. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018
Invited Talk at the University of Puerto Rico (RISE/MARC Program). April 20th. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2018
Chemistry Department, City College of New York (CUNY). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2017
Keynote Lecture at the 18th International Conference on Biological Inorganic Chemistry, Florianopolis, Brazil (July 31st-August 5th, 2017) (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2017
University of Zaragoza-CSIC (Spain) (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2017
International Conference on Chemical Biology Frontier. Central China Normal University (Wuhan, China) September 24-26. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2016
V Latin American Meeting on Biological Inorganic Chemistry LABIC (Querétaro, Mexico) October 18-21
(Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2016
13th International Symposium on Applied Bioinorganic Chemistry (Galway, Ireland) June 12-15. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
5th Latin American Symposium on Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry, 5º SILQCOM (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). October 18-23. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
ACS NY Section "2015 Frontiers of Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Lecture" (Columbia University, NY) (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
Chemistry Department, College of Staten Island (CUNY). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
Chemistry Department, University of Warsaw, Poland. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
Departamento de Química, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del I.P.N. Campus Zacatenco, Cinvestav (México D.F.) (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2015
Pacifichem 2015 (Honolulu, Hawaii) December 15-20. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2015
Chemistry and Biology Department, The City University of Hong Kong. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
Chemistry Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
Chemistry Department, University of Hong Kong. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
Instituto de Tecnologia Quimica e Biologica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa. Lisbon, Portugal. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
University of Hawaii-Cancer Center, Kakaako (Honolulu). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2014
"Iminophosphorane d8 Transition Metal Complexes as Potential Anticancer Agents via a Non-cisplatin Mode of Action." ACS Spring National Meeting. New Orleans. April 7-11. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2013
"Iminophosphorane Pincer Ligands as Useful Precursors to Potential Anticancer Metallodrugs." European COST Action CM 1005 "Selectively Fighting Cancer: Benefits From Metal Complexes by Protein Targeting and Novel Activation Strategies." Groningen, Holland, Feb. 25-26. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013
Inorganic Chemistry Department, University of Alcala (Spain). (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013
Spanish Bioinorganic Chemistry Society National Meeting. Burgos, Spain. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2013
"Organometallic and Coordination Gold (III), Platinum(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes With Iminophosphorane Ligands as Potential Anticancer Agents." XXVI International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry. Lisbon, Portugal, Sept. 2-7. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2012
"Organometallic and Coordination Gold (III) Complexes With Iminophosphorane Ligands. Study of Their Cytotoxic Properties and Their Mode of Action.". Book of abstracts. International Conference on Bioinorganic Chemistry (ICBIC-15). Vancouver, Canada, Aug. 5-13. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2011
Chemistry Department, University of Hawaii, Manoa. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010
Invited talk at the Chemistry Department, Rutgers University. New Jersey, February. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2010
"Catalytic and Pharmacological (Anti-Cancer, Antibacterial) Uses of New Gold(III)-Iminophosphorane Complexes." International Zing Conference on Organometallic Chemistry. Bolans Village, Antigua and Barbuda, March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2009
"Anticancer and Antibacterial Properties of Novel Organogold Compounds" poster presented by collaborator Renato Aguilar. 11th RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities. Honolulu, December. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
"Gold Compounds with Tripodal Bis(imidazole) Thioether Ligand as Oxidation Catalysts" and "New Water Soluble Gold(I) Compounds and Their Application in C-C Coupling Reactions." Posters presented by undergraduate students Benelita T. Ellie and Reema Amis. 12th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference. Washington, D.C., June. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
"Gold(III) Iminophosphorane Complexes as Catalysts in C-C and C-O Bond Formations by Electrophilic C-H Activation" poster presented by collaborator from Spain, Dr. E.P. Urriolabeitia. 23rd International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry. Rennes, France, July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
"Organogold(III) Iminophosphorane Complexes and Study of Their Toxicity against Tumor Solid Cells." ACS--Mid-Atlantic Regional Meeting. Queensborough Community College. Queens, N.Y., May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
"Organogold(III) Iminophosphorane Complexes and Study of Their Toxicity against Tumor Solid Cells." Gordon Conference on Organometallic Chemistry. Salve Regina University. Newport, R.I., July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008
"Fluorocarbon Soluble Copper(II) Carboxylate Complexes with Non-Fluoroponytailed Ligands as Precatalysts for the Oxidation of Alkenols and Alcohols Under Fluorous Biphasic or Thermomorphic Modes: Structural and Mechanistic Aspects." International Symposium on Fluorous Technologies (ISOFT´05). Bordeaux, France. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2005
"Organometallic Gold(III) Complexes as Catalysts for Nucleophilic Additions to Triple Bonds and C-C Bond Formations." Chemiodozententagung 2004. Dortmund, Germany. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 2004
"Intramolecular Carbon-Carbon Formation in Cyclometallated Complexes of Gold and Palladium." XVIIIth International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry. Munich. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Contributed Talk) 1998
Professional Leadership
American Chemical Society New York Local Section. Directors-at-Large. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2022
Faculty Council Graduate Curriculum Committee (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2022
Elected member of Brooklyn College Policy Council 2021-2023. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021
School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences' at-large delegate for Faculty Council 2021-2022 (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2021
Brooklyn College Integrity Committee Member Spring 2020. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2020
Director, Founder and Research Area Leader of the Brooklyn College Cancer Center (BCCC-CURE). September 2020-present. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2020
Elected member of Brooklyn College Policy Council 2018-2020. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2018
Chairperson of the Chemistry Department, July 2017-June 2020. (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2017
Chemistry Department Appointments Committee Member, Spring 2017-Spring 2020. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2017
Chemistry Department Safety Committee 2016-2017 (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2017
Chair of the 1st International Symposium on "Clinical and Experimental Metallodrugs in Medicine: Cancer Chemotherapy", December 12 - 15, 2015 Sullivan Center, University of Hawaii Cancer Center (NCI designated center), Honolulu, HI (Professional Leadership: Organizational Leadership Position) 2015
School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences' at-large delegate alternate for Faculty Council 2015-2016 (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2015
Member, Committee of Honorary Degrees 2014-2016. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014
Member, Promotions and Tenure Committee, School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences.2014-2017 (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2014
Undergraduate students' adviser, Chemistry Department, 2014-15. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2014
Member, CORE Committee, September 2011-May 2013. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2011
Undergraduate students' adviser, Chemistry Department, 2010-11. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2010
College Campus Steering Committee, New York City Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (NYC-LSAMP), 2009-2014. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2009
College representative for Project Kaleidoscope, 2007-2011. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
College Students' Records Committee, 2007-09. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007
Other Professional Activities
American Chemical Society Graduate School Readiness and Professional Development Boot Camp. Faculty Consultant 2022-2023. 2022
American Chemical Society New York Local Section. Directors-at-Large. 2021
American Chemical Society New York Local Section. Chair of the Minority Affairs Committee. 2020-present 2020
Member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry. 2019-Present. 2019
Member of the Editorial Board of Inorganics (MDPI). 2017-2021. 2017