Horacio Olivo

Employee Spotlight
Why did you come to the University of Iowa?
I was very attracted to come to the University of Iowa particularly because of two faculty members, Prof. Jack Rosazza, Division Head of MNPC and Director of the Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing, and Prof. David Gibson, in the Department of Microbiology.  Jack’s work in the biotransformation of natural products and David’s work on the microbial oxidation of aromatics is recognized at an international level and it was a great opportunity to join a terrific team of faculty with an interest and appreciation for natural products and biocatalysis.

Tell us more about your life outside of work. – What are your hobbies?
I have a wonderful wife and the most wonderful son.  I can see hard work and discipline in my wife’s eyes, and a caring attitude in my son’s eyes.
We enjoy hiking and traveling to new places.

As a child what career did you dream of?
My dream was to become a scientist.  There were two scientists in my family and I always looked up to them.  They were excellent mentors for me when growing up. I have always been amazed of the beautiful complexity of nature and medicinal chemistry provides the tools to learn how the complex machinery in humans and nature work.

What was your first job?
I used to fix car engines in my free time.

If you could have dinner with a famous person, who would it be?
Cesar Chavez, one of the greatest  American Civil Rights leader after Martin Luther King, Jr.

Tell us about your favorite things:
Food:  Mexican, of course.
Drink:  Margaritas on a Friday night at Los Portales
Books: In Search of Klingsor
Music: Concerto de Aranjuez
Movies: Babel
Favorite Sports Team: Hawkeyes