Professor Mónica Cristina Rodríguez Palacio was born in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia. She is currently a Permanent Resident in Mexico. She has a Bachelor's degree in Hydrobiology and a Master's degree in Biology, both from the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM). Doctorate in Environment with Honorable Mention at the Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas and Desirable Profile of PRODEP since 2009.

She is working on establishing a collection of microalgae cultures collected from different regions of the Mexican Republic, which are being studied in search of uses and applications for the benefit of man and the environment. The studies include the use of algae for the production of food, biofuels, bioremediation, agricultural biofertilizers, and obtaining high value-added products. She is currently focused on the transfer of this biotechnology to marginalized and malnourished communities.

She is an active member of the following associations: Algae Biomass Organization; Academia Mexicana Multidisciplinaria A. C.; Sociedad Mexicana de Biotecnología y Bioingeniería A. C.; Sociedad Mexicana para el estudio de los Florecimientos Algal Nocivos (SOMEFAN) A.C.; Sociedad Mexicana de Ficología; Sociedad Latinoamericana de Biotecnología Ambiental y Algal. Latin American and Caribbean Phycological Society.

Participation in the Mexican Network of Researchers in Organizational Studies (REMINEO), A.C., and of the College of Researchers; Colombian Network of Algal Biotechnology and Phycology; Thematic Network of the Mexican Carbon Program. CONACyT; Thematic Network on Harmful Algal Blooms (REDFAN). CONACyT.

Current agreements for which he is responsible: Universidad Metropolitana Politécnica de Puebla; Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Madero; BLAUSER S.A. DE C.V. Acuario Inbursa; Instituto Tecnológico Superior del Oriente del Estado de Hidalgo ITESA; Universidad del Noreste A.C.; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Energías Renovables; Universidad Iberoamericana de Puebla.

Current divisional projects: "Microalgae Cultivation, Potential Uses. Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico". Division of Biological and Health Sciences. Department of Hydrobiology. Applied Phycology Laboratory. Responsible; Community Extension Project "PEC". This project is directly supported by the Dean's Office of the Campus and carries out outreach activities with municipalities and communities to contribute to local and regional development, through advice on the development and implementation of productive, environmental, social, and educational projects. She is a collaborator and is responsible for two subprojects within the PEC.

She has given courses and conferences in Mexico and abroad and has several presentations at national and international congresses. She has trained undergraduate and graduates in human resources.