Born in Santiago, Chile, Emilio Alarcón received his BSc in Chemistry at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, where he explored the chemiluminescent mechanisms of tryptophan oxidation under the supervision of Professor Eduardo Lissi (the most-cited scientist in Chile). For his MSc and PhD, which he pursued in Chemistry at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, he focused on oxidation mechanisms of proteins mediated by reactive oxygen species. 

Dr. Alarcón moved to Ottawa with his wife and undertook post-doctoral training at the University of Ottawa funded by a Chilean scholarship for talented promising researchers. He began his independent research career in 2014-15, when he was recruited to uOttawa/UOHI. An expert in materials design and biomedical devices, he specializes in developing and characterizing bio-inspired hybrid nanomaterials and new technologies, including 3D bioprinting for regenerative therapies.