Jessica Soto Pérez was born on November 15, 1977 in the town of San Sebastián, in the northwest corner of the island of Puerto Rico. She obtained her undergraduate degree in chemical engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, in 1999, and worked briefly in industry in the Boston and Baltimore areas prior to enrolling in the Ph.D. program in in the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Department at UMBC in 2001. Jessica joined Professor Frey's research group and began her thesis research in the area of protein chromatography during the fall term of 2002. 

        Jessica was a warm and loving person who greeted everyone she met with a cheerful smile.  Her infectious enthusiasm and sheer joy for life positively impacted everyone she encountered.  Jessica loved to teach and conduct research, and dreamed of returning to the University of Puerto Rico as a professor.  Jessica especially wanted to become a role model for Hispanic women, and enjoyed participating in activities where she could inspire other young people, such as lecturing in the Maryland Regional Upward Bound Math and Science Center program for high school students.  Jessica also participated in many campus activities, one of her favorites being the Genesis Toastmaster club, where she was the vice president for education.  Jessica also participated in UMBC's PROMISE program, which is dedicated to increasing the number and diversity of Ph.D. graduate students who go on to academic careers.  Tragically, Jessica became a victim of domestic violence and died on June 29, 2004, at the age of 26.  The grief felt by Jessica’s friends and relatives upon her death was truly overwhelming, and is a testament to Jessica's wonderful nature and the positive influence she had on those around her.  Those of us who were privileged to know Jessica will always treasure our memories of her.  Jessica is survived by her parents, Antonio I. Soto and Luz N. Pérez, and by her younger brother Antonio I. Soto Pérez, Jr.

       In the pursuit of her Ph.D. degree, Jessica satisfied all the requirements for a M.S. degree, which was awarded posthumously on August 31, 2004.   

      Below are a few photographs to help remind Jessica's friends of her passion for life and, to those who didn't know her, these photographs may help you gain a better appreciation of this wonderful young woman.       

Left photo: Jessica presenting her research at the HPLC-2004 meeting in Philadelphia.

Right photo:  Jessica at the Baltimore inner harbor during the PREP-2004 meeting.

Left photo: Jessica (near center of picture) on the CBE departmental ski trip at Whitetail, PA. 

Right photo: Jessica demonstrates her skiing prowess.  

Left photo: Jessica loved to meet people at conferences.  This photograph shows her with Edwin Lightfoot of 

"Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot" fame at the ACS meeting in New Orleans, LA.

Right photo: Jessica (on far right) at a birthday party for the CBE graduate students. 

This is how we will remember Jessica -- sitting at her desk, happy, smiling, and eager to tell you about her latest exploits. 

Links to related websites:

   Jessica's publication in Biotechnology Progress

   Jessica Soto Pérez University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez - UMBC Graduate School Bridge Fund

   Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering at UMBC

   National Domestic Violence Hotline Website