Profile

In memoriam

Dr. Javier Velázquez earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and a Master’s in Psychobiology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), followed by a Ph.D. in Reproductive Biology. In 1979, he joined the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana and took on the challenge of building the Sleep and Behavior Laboratory from the ground up in the Department of Reproductive Biology.

His early international publications focused on the effects of sleep deprivation on the hormonal regulation of sexual behavior. Between 1988 and 1990, he carried out research as an Associate Researcher at the University of California, San Diego, studying cholinergic regulation of REM sleep. He received the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Research Award twice, and the research area he led also earned two awards for Outstanding Research Areas.

Throughout his career, Dr. Velázquez held several key academic leadership roles, including Head of the Department of Reproductive Biology, Distinguished Professor at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, and Rector of the Iztapalapa Campus. Since 1987, he maintained uninterrupted membership in the National System of Researchers, reaching Level III on three occasions until 2025.

His academic output included over 100 articles in peer-reviewed indexed journals, with around 2,100 citations by 2020. He supervised eight Master’s theses and fifteen doctoral dissertations, and served as editor or co-editor of twelve specialized books.

Dr. Velázquez also stood out for his commitment to science communication. He founded the UAM Science Fair, which later became the Office of Science and Humanities Outreach. He received the National Science Communication Award (Radio), and created and hosted more than 100 episodes of the radio program Entre Pares.

His scientific, academic, and public engagement legacy continues to inspire the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana community and the broader scientific world.