Juan José Pavón Palacio was native to Colombia, a key liaison between Purdue University and University of Antioquia (UdeA), and a dedicated scientist whose work not only contributed immensely to the progress of biomaterials research, but touched many lives. His work was focused on the development, fabrication, and characterization of biomaterials, especially as an alternative for bone replacement.
Juan José was passionate about his work. He earned a BS degree in Metallurgical Engineering from University of Antioquia, and a MS degree in Water Management and Technology from Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. He continued on to earn his doctorate degree from the same institution in Material Sciences. Juan José conducted his postdoctoral trainings at Purdue University (2012-2013) and University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2013-2014) where he was mentored by Dr. Jean Paul Allain and his research was about Directed Irradiation Synthesis of Biomaterials. Juan José and Dr. Allain met in 2010 in Barranquilla, "we immediately became very good friends" says Dr. Allain. Their friendship was also extremely beneficial to science as they published over 20 papers, including 8 peer-reviewed that are still in the process of being published, 2 book chapters, 1 book slated for publication in 1.5 years, and over 10 different international workshops and conferences co-organized by them in the field of tissue engineering.
Juan José was an Associate Professor at UdeA and Director of the Advanced Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine group (BAMR) which aimed to develop new therapies to improve growth, repair and regeneration of tissues with different approaches: physical stimuli (such as mechanical, electromagnetic, and radiological), elements and concepts of nanomedicine, advanced biointerfaces, advance volumetric properties (bioinspiration) and biochemistry of the biological environment (conventional pharmacology and control drug delivery). Prior to his passing, he and his group were working in collaboration with the UdeA Biotechnology Group and Northeastern University, towards the establishment of the Center of Natural Tropical Materials, to be located in Rionegro, Antioquia. "This big effort between Northeastern University and University of Antioquia will be reflected in a unique advanced center dedicated to the study, research, applications, mimics and sustainable use of Natural Tropical Biomaterial from Colombian Biodiversity, which is one of the most amazing and impressive in the world," Juan José had told representatives at Northeastern University.
Photo taken at the 1st International Meeting on the Advanced Applications of Natural Biomaterials in September 2016. (Left to right: Hongli Zu, Northeastern University; Abhay Pandit, National University of Ireland; Lia Stanciu, Purdue University; Conrado Aparicio, University of Minnesota; Juan José Pavón, University of Antioquia; Lucía Atehortúa, University of Antioquia, Juan Valerio Cauich Rodríguez, Yucatan Center for Scientific Research; Eduardo Saiz, Imperial College London; Pablo Zavattieri, Purdue University).
Professor Pavón was a key liaison between Purdue and Colombia. Lia Stanciu, Full Professor of Materials Engineering, describes him as 'the strongest advocate for Colombia-Purdue collaborations'. "Juan José organized several workshops in the larger Biomaterials area where I had the opportunity to meet with excellent researchers from his institution, University of Antioquia, and with U.S. professors and researchers from academia and industry," says Professor Stanciu. She also explains how, thanks to Juan José, her team was able to expand their network. "Through Juan José's personal efforts, my research group developed ties with University of Seville, which led to a European Union funded research project on titanium alloys for implantation," she adds. Similarly, Pablo Zavattieri, Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, remembers how persistent Juan José was in developing new projects that could benefit both Purdue and Colombia. "Juan José was really energetic and persistent when it came to build the relationship between Purdue and Colombia" says professor Zavattieri, "it was really admirable."
Juan José was not only passionate about research on biomaterials, but about music. This video produced by University of Antioquia in 2014, captures Juan José playing rock tunes with his guitar in Medellin, Colombia. Professor Zavattieri recalls with nostalgia, one Christmas eve that he invited Juan José over to his house, and they played the guitar for long hours.
Juan José Pavón passed away on January 10, 2017. The Colombia-Purdue Institute (CPI) expresses its condolences to his family and friends. His collaborators and Purdue friends describe him as a passionate. hard-working, and friendly person. They have shared some thoughts about Juan José and how much he will be missed:
"Now that I have lost my friend and collaborator in such an untimely manner, there are not many places to go in dealing with it. So, I try to find some comfort in the fact that at least, when Juan José and I met last month, the two of us were very happy with our encounter. I wish his loved ones and friends find strength in adapting to this unforeseen situation, by recalling the good things Juan Jose brought to their lives as a person, as a friend and collaborator, and as an academic". Rodolfo Pinal, Associate Professor of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy
"Juan José Pavón was a very bright researcher in the area of Biomaterials for implantation and Natural Biomaterials. [...] He and I had very hopeful and exciting plans for the future, which included student exchanges and grant applications that were planned for the near future. His loss is devastating for me and everyone who knew him, at both personal and professional levels. He will be greatly missed!" Lia Stanciu, Full Professor of Materials Engineering
"We lost an incredible human being but also a prolific scientist. Colombia and all of us should be very proud". Jean Paul Allain, Associate Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma, and Radiological Engineering at Illinois University.,
Discovering Antioquia (Left to Right: Eduardo Saiz, Imperial College London; Juan José Pavón, University of Antioquia; Pablo Zavattieri, Purdue University; Junes Villarraga, University of Antioquia)
Last modified: December 4, 2023