Personal profile
Research Interests
Across diverse Ecuadorian agro-environmental contexts, the researcher integrates environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and agroecology to assess food systems and environmental health. The work combines robust analytical chemistry (ICP-OES, microwave-assisted digestion) with field-and-lab assessments to evaluate heavy metal traceability in rice agrosystems, bioprospecting and feasibility studies for salicornia under high-salinity conditions, and the phytoremediation potential of ruderal species in urban soils. The studies reveal environmental contamination risks (As, Cd, Pb, Cr) in soils, irrigation water, and commercial rice; demonstrate the therapeutic and agronomic potential of Salicornia species for sustainable production; and identify hyperaccumulating ruderal plants with phytoextraction and phytostabilization capabilities for heavy-metal–contaminated sites. Additional work on banana phytochemical stimulation via artisanal bioles and on heavy-metal bioaccumulation in bivalves emphasizes food safety implications and the need for mitigation in agro-food systems. Together, the research advances integrated monitoring, pollution mitigation, and sustainable crop and resource production with implications for public health, rural development, and environmental policy.
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 14 Life Below Water
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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Biogas Production Through Conventional Pyrolysis from Different Types of Woody Biomass (PYROLYSIS)
Parra Rosero, P. G. (PI), Ballesteros Lara, J. L. (Col) & Cedeño Vinces, K. G. (Col)
18/11/24 → …
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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Study on Lead Levels and Associated Risk Factors in Children Aged 5 to 12 Years in the City of Guayaquil (Lead in Children)
Ballesteros Lara, J. L. (PI), De La Cruz Mora, M. A. (Col), Cedeño Vinces, K. G. (Col), Cueva Granda, D. F. (External), Caicedo Castro, I. A. (External), Ullon Moreno, L. M. (Student), Nicola Villavicencio, R. A. (Student), Obregon Lozano, J. S. (Student), Sanin Cepeda, J. E. (Student) & Barrera Rivera, D. A. (Student)
15/07/24 → 15/01/26
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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Chemical Composition and Selective Bioactivities of Piper platylobum Sodiro Essential Oil
Jaime-Carvajal, J., Pesántez, N., Ballesteros, J., Morocho, V. & Malagón, O., Nov 2025, In: Plants. 14, 21, 3287.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 -
Phytochemical Stimulation Through the Use of Artisanal Biols in Banana Seedlings Musa Paradisiaca L. A Biblio-Metric and Experimental Review
Jaime-Carvajal, J., Naranjo-Moran, J., Flores de Valgaz, A. P. & 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. 349-359 11 p. (Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems; vol. 1331 LNNS).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › peer-review
Open Access -
Potencial Biotecnológico de Salicornias en Ecuador: Una Revisión al Establecimiento Agrícola y sus Propiedades Terapéuticas
Translated title of the contribution :Biotechnological Potential of Salicornia in Ecuador: A Review of Agricultural Establishment and Its Therapeutic Properties Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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Traceability and Heavy Metal Contamination in Agrosystems of Two Rice-Producing Areas of the Ecuadorian Coast
Jaime-Carvajal, J., Naranjo-Morán, J., Vinces, K. C., Ballesteros, J., Espinoza-Lozano, F., Chóez-Guaranda, I. & Pérez-Martinez, S., Oct 2025, In: Agronomy. 15, 10, 2359.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations