Personal profile
Research Interests
Across a diverse program of ecological, agricultural, and environmental studies, the researcher advances sustainable agri-food systems through (i) harnessing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) for inoculum production, soil and plant remediation, and improved crop resilience; (ii) evaluating trace metal dynamics and contamination pathways in rice and urban/agroecosystems to inform stricter controls and mitigation; (iii) exploring the use of bioactive extracts, artisanal bioles, and macroalgal resources to enhance plant growth, phytochemical content, and pest/pesticide reduction; and (iv) integrating biodiversity, ethnobotany, and mycorrhizal ecology to support conservation, rural development, and biotechnological applications. Methodologies span in vitro trap plant and substrate optimization for AMF propagation; microwave-assisted digestion and ICP-OES for heavy metals; greenhouse and controlled trials for phytostimulation, biostimulants, and AMF inoculation; phytoextraction and phytostabilization assessments; literature reviews and metabarcoding for fungal diversity; and educational-tech approaches to biology training. The cumulative impact lies in providing sustainable pathways for inoculum production, pollution mitigation, crop improvement, and biodiversity-informed agricultural practices, with emphasis on Ecuadorian ecosystems, rural communities, and policy-relevant environmental health.
Key Topics:
- Agriculture, Precision Farming, Food Systems & Agroecology
- Environmental Monitoring, Remote Sensing & Conservation
- Environmental Science, Water, Waste & Circular Economy
- Biodiversity, Ethnobotany & Natural Products
- Mycorrhizal Ecology & Soil Microbial Interactions
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Production of Essential Oils through Hydrodistillation of Native Plants for the Development of a Bioactive Formulation with Therapeutic Impact
Ballesteros Lara, J. L. (Col), Leon Barzallo, F. I. (Col), Naranjo Moran, J. A. (Col), Jaime Carvajal, J. J. (PI), Soledispa Arias, A. A. (Student), Vintimilla Paucar, A. A. (Student), Carrion Vaca, E. A. (Student), Arellano Villacis, D. A. (Student) & Salazar Sanchez, P. S. (Student)
1/10/25 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Development of Mobile Applications Based on Machine Learning for the Taxonomic Identification of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi and its Application in Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Management
Quiroz Martinez, M. A. (PI), Carrera Jimenez, J. A. (Col), Morales Carchi, K. L. (Student), Franco Ortega, R. S. (Student), Naranjo Moran, J. A. (Col), Cedeño Vinces, K. G. (Col), Ortiz Ortega, D. A. (Student), Guevara Salazar, A. D. (Student), Pacheco Flores De Valgaz, A. V. (Col), Contreras Freire, J. S. (Student), Aucaquizhpi Cajamarca, W. J. (Student), Ramos Jimenez, A. B. (Student), Chancay Rodriguez, O. E. (Student), Aguirre Mera, J. S. (Student), Parrales Villegas, O. I. (Student), Campoverde Torres, K. G. (Student), Sanin Cepeda, J. E. (Student), Barrera Rivera, D. A. (Student), Almeida Mosquera, I. M. (Student), Zambrano Ordoñez, D. D. (Student), Toro Luzardo, B. T. (Student), Garzon Salazar, G. (Student), Peñafiel Zambrano, G. P. (Student), Avila Calva, S. M. (Student) & Alava Reyes, A. J. (Student)
30/01/25 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Physicochemical and Microbiological Characterization of Craft Beers Produced in the Laboratories of the María Auxiliadora Campus of the Salesian Polytechnic University and in Craft Breweries (PYMES) in the City of Guayaquil (Beer) (Phase 1)
Hidalgo Ramirez, C. E. (Col), Ballesteros Lara, J. L. (Col), De La Cruz Mora, M. A. (PI), Naranjo Moran, J. A. (Col), Cedeño Vinces, K. G. (Col), Pulgar Oleas, N. L. (Col), Garcia Ruiz, R. E. (Student), Huayamave Huancayo, J. R. (Student), Suarez Rivera, X. D. (Student), Campoverde Torres, K. G. (Student), Toro Luzardo, B. T. (Student), Triviño Blacio, M. J. (Student), Romero Blacio, N. N. (Student), Lopez Pagalo, H. S. (Student), Maldonado Peñafiel, A. E. (Student), Delgado Robles, A. S. (Student), Alvarado Landaburu, S. D. (Student), Cabrera Veliz, C. D. L. Á. (Student), Castillo Marin, D. M. (Student), Estevez Maldonado, V. M. (Student), Alban Ruiz, A. M. (Student), Carpio Ponce, G. A. (Student), Mero Arce, R. A. (Student), Navia Ponguillo, M. A. (Student), Gando Ruiz, L. B. (Student), Monserrate Morales, E. D. (Student), Rivera Colcha, P. A. (Student), Chango Puglla, A. M. (Student), Castañeda Velez, D. N. (Student) & Gonzalez Hidalgo, T. A. (Student)
26/03/24 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Bioprospection in Five Insects of Biotechnological Interest Belonging to the Tropical Dry Forest Remnant of the María Auxiliadora Campus of the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Sede Guayaquil (Insect)
Medina Villavicencio, J. R. (Col), Naranjo Moran, J. A. (Col), Solorzano Muñoz, J. A. (PI), Cedeño Vinces, K. G. (Col), Jaime Carvajal, J. J. (Col) & Auz Galan, A. S. (Col)
7/11/23 → …
Project: Research and Development
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Phytochemical Characterization using Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) of Representative Species in the Tropical Dry Forest Remnant of the María Auxiliadora Campus of the Salesian Polytechnic University, Guayaquil Campus (Phytochemistry)
Ballesteros Lara, J. L. (Col), Naranjo Moran, J. A. (PI), Cedeño Vinces, K. G. (Col), Pacheco Flores De Valgaz, A. V. (Col), Jaime Carvajal, J. J. (Col), Rodas Andrade, M. N. (Student), Chong Hermenegildo, E. C. (Student), Caraguay Carchi, N. S. (Student), Erazo Mendoza, V. A. (Student), Muñoz Ricaurte, G. P. (Student), Pin Cobos, C. S. (Student), Moran Cedeño, D. D. (Student), Ayala Paz, R. A. (Student), Villalta Villamar, D. P. (Student), Zaldivar Alejandro, P. A. (Student), Auria Yagual, M. O. (Student), Samaniego Negrete, B. D. (Student), Gallegos Giovannetti, S. S. (Student), Brito Jaya, A. D. (Student), Loor Pluas, S. L. (Student), Soledispa Arias, A. A. (Student), Cabezas Vasquez, N. J. (Student), Campos Ulli, C. V. (Student), Jacome Argoti, K. S. (Student), Sosa Triviño, M. K. (Student), Alvarez Diaz, A. D. (Student), Peña Paez, J. M. (Student), Burgos Banchon, B. J. (Student), Jarrin Rodriguez, P. D. (Student), Navas Sancan, N. A. (Student), Torres Solis, J. J. (Student), Baquero Gonzalez, J. D. (Student), Robles Caluña, D. K. (Student), Carrion Traverso, M. A. (Student), Pincay Orrala, Z. E. (Student), Navarrete Mite, S. T. (Student), Solorzano Proaño, A. G. (Student), Alvear Caguana, D. I. (Student), Soria Jima, S. S. (Student), Regalado Oviedo, M. F. (Student), Bodero Tello, E. E. (Student), Martinez Fierro, J. F. (Student), Drouet Alvarez, D. V. (Student) & Zea Castro, A. C. (Student)
7/11/23 → 3/03/26
Project: Research and Development
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Autotrophic in vitro culture method, inoculated with native arbuscular mycorrhizae, for the adaptation of trap plants of the Asteraceae family
Naranjo-Moran, J., Pincay-Orrala, Z. & Navarrete-Mite, T., 5 Oct 2025, In: Scientia Agropecuaria. 17, 1, p. 67-75 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
CHOICE OF TRAP PLANT AND SUBSTRATE FOR MYCORRHIZAL INOCULUM PRODUCTION
Naranjo-Morán, J., Olivo-Fernández, K., Barcos-Arias, M. & Oviedo-Anchundia, R., Sep 2025, In: Granja. 42, 2, p. 76-87 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Composición y Generación de Desechos Sólidos en Zonas Periféricas del Bosque Protector la Prosperina: Implicaciones Para la Gestión Ambiental
Translated title of the contribution :Composition and Generation of Solid Waste in Peripheral Areas of the Prosperina Protective Forest: Implications for Environmental Management Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Effect of foliar stimulant biofortified with bamboo in tomato cultivation yield (Solanum lycopersicum L.)
Duran Mera, C. A., Hurtado Carrillo, K. L., Naranjo Morán, J. A., Medina Litardo, R. C., Villaseñor Ortiz, D. R. & García Brito, O. E., 2 Jan 2025, In: Revista Facultad Nacional de Agronomia Medellin. 78, 1, p. 10947-10957 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Hyperaccumulation of Cadmium and Lead in Ruderal Species of the Maria Auxiliadora Campus of the Universidad Politécnica Salesiana Guayaquil, Ecuador
Naranjo-Moran, J., Mawyin-Mora, G., Reyes-Vilches, T. & Ballesteros-Lara, J. L., 2025, Systems, Smart Technologies, and Innovation for Society - Proceedings of CITIS 2024. Inga Ortega, E. M., Robles-Bykbaev, V. E., García Herranz, N. & Gallego Diaz, E. (eds.). Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH, p. 282-291 10 p. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; vol. 1331 LNNS).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access