Villanova University, College of Engineering Dean's Award - Barry C. Johnson Award (2026)

2022 Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Research and Education Conference - Travel Award (2022)

260th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting and Expo - Certificate of Merit for the First Time Oral Presentation, Division of Environmental Chemistry (2020)

Villanova University CEER Graduate Club Academic Poster Presentation - Third-place for Technical Excellence: Enhanced Degradation of Tribromoacetic Acid using Pyrogenic Carbonaceous Matter. (Poster presentation) (2020)

SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS

1. Samonte, P. R. V.; Comolli, N. (in review). Engineering Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA)-Based Microspheres for Controlled Corticosteroid Delivery in Intra-Articular Cartilage. Pharmaceutics, Special Issue: PLGA Implants for controlled delivery.

2. Samonte, P. R. V.; Comolli, N. (in progress). Drug delivery into Avascular Tissue.

3. Li, Z.; Samonte, P. R. V.; Cao, H.; Miesel, J. R.; Xu, W. (2023). Assess the Formation of Disinfection By-Products from Pyrogenic Dissolved Organic Matter (pyDOM): Impact of Wildfire on the Water Quality of Forest Watershed. Science of The Total Environment, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165496.

4. Li, Z.; Jorn, R.; Samonte, P. R. V.; Mao, J.; Sivey, J. D.; Pignatello, J. J.; Xu, W. (2022). Surface-Catalyzed Hydrolysis by Pyrogenic Carbonaceous Matter and Model Polymers: An Experimental and Computational Study on Functional Group and Pore Characteristics. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121877.

5. Samonte, P.R.V.; Li, Z.; Mao, J.; Chaplin, B.P.; Xu, W. (2021). Pyrogenic Carbon-Promoted Haloacetic Acid Decarboxylation to Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water. Water Research, 210, 117988. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117988.

6. Almassi, S., Samonte, P.R.V., Li, Z., Xu, W., and Chaplin, B.P. (2019). Mechanistic Investigation of Haloacetic Acid Reduction Using Carbon-Ti4O7 Composite Reactive Electrochemical Membranes. Environmental Science & Technology, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b06744.

7. Rocard, J.M., Asadishad, B., Samonte, P.R.V., Ghoshal, S., Tufenkji, N. (2018). Natural Freeze-Thaw Cycles May Increase the Risk Associated with Salmonella Contamination in Surface and Groundwater Environments, Water Research X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wroa.2018.10.002.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

1. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Acetaminophen. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

2. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Amblyopia. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

3. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Amphetamine. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

4. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Benzodiazepine. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

5. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Catabolism. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

6. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

7. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

8. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Comfort theory. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

9. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Discharge planning. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

10. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Ethyl glucuronide (EtG). In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

11. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Evidence-based practice (EBP). In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

12. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Folate deficiency. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

13. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Food processing. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

14. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Hand hygiene compliance. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

15. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Microcephaly. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

16. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Neonatal nursing. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

17. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Neuman systems model. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Health. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

18. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Polyvinyl alcohol. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

19. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2018). Urea. In: Golson, G (ed.). Salem Press Encyclopedia of Science. Ipswich, MA: EBSCO Publishing.

20. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2016). Procter and Gamble. In: Boslaugh, SE (ed.). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications. ISBN: 9781483349992.

21. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2015). Affirmative action. In: King-Meadows, T (ed.). African American Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. New York: Mission Bell Media. ISBN: 9780990730033.

22. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2015). Literature. In: King-Meadows, T (ed.). African American Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. New York: Mission Bell Media. ISBN: 9780990730033.

23. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2015). Mathematics. In: King-Meadows, T (ed.). African American Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. New York: Mission Bell Media. ISBN: 9780990730033.

24. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2015). Morehouse School of Medicine. In: King-Meadows, T (ed.). African American Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. New York: Mission Bell Media. ISBN: 9780990730033.

25. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2015). Reverse discrimination. In: King-Meadows, T (ed.). African American Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. New York: Mission Bell Media. ISBN: 9780990730033.

26. Samonte, PRV and Vallente, RU (2015). Underground railroad. In: King-Meadows, T (ed.). African American Leadership: A Concise Reference Guide. New York: Mission Bell Media. ISBN: 9780990730033.

2025 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting (San Diego, CA; October 2025)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Comolli, N. Engineering Poly(Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid) (PLGA)-Based Microspheres for Controlled Corticosteroid Delivery in Intra-Articular Cartilage. (Poster presentation)

2025 Society for Biomaterials (SFB) Annual Meeting and Exposition (Chicago, IL; April 2025)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Comolli, N. Development and Characterization of Drug-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Based Microspheres in Intra-Articular Cartilage for Osteoarthritis Treatment. (Poster presentation)

2024 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Meeting (Baltimore, MD; October 2024)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Comolli, N. Development and Characterization of Drug-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Based Microspheres in Intra-Articular Cartilage for Osteoarthritis Treatment. (Oral presentation)

18th Annual National Student Design Competition Presentation, EPA P3 Expo (Washington, D.C.; June 2023)

Fitzpatrick, M.; Giovanniello, C.; Neumann, B.; Magee, J.C.; Irizzary, J.; Samonte, P.R.V.; Xu, W. Enhancing the Anion-Exchange Capacity of Biochar for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Stabilization in Contaminated Soils. (Booth)

2022 Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Research and Education Conference (WUSTL, St. Louis, MI; June 2022)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Li, Z.; Mao, J.; Chaplin, B.; Xu, W. Pyrogenic Carbon-Promoted Haloacetic Acid Decarboxylation to Trihalomethanes in Drinking Water. (Poster presentation)

260th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting and Expo (Virtual setting; August 2020)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Li, Z.; Xu, W. Enhanced Degradation of Tribromoacetic Acid using PCM. (Oral presentation)

259th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting and Expo (Philadelphia, PA; March 2020)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Li, Z.; Chaplin, B.P.; Xu, W. Enhanced Degradation of Tribromoacetic Acid using Pyrogenic Carbonaceous Matter. (Oral presentation; canceled due to COVID-19)

CEER Graduate Club Academic Poster Presentation (Villanova University, Villanova, PA; February 2020)

Enhanced Degradation of Tribromoacetic Acid using Pyrogenic Carbonaceous Matter. (Poster presentation)

Hudson Delaware Regional Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (HDC-SETAC) Workshop (Villanova University, Villanova, PA; October 2018)

REM for Removal of Disinfection By-Products in Small Drinking Water Systems. (Oral presentation)

McGill Chemical Engineering Research Day (McGill University, Montreal, Quebec; October 2015)

Samonte, P.R.V.; Rocard, J.; Asadishad, B.; Ghoshal, S.; and Tufenkji, N. Natural freeze-thaw cycles increase the risk for Salmonella contamination in surface and groundwater environments. (Poster presentation)

PhD Thesis: Development and Characterization of Drug-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-Based Microspheres in Intra-Articular Cartilage for Osteoarthritis Treatment

Villanova University Polymeric Biomaterials Lab, Villanova, PA (September 2023 – December 2025)

• Design and characterization of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-based microspheres (PLGA-based MSs) as potential drug delivery system for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment

• Assess MS physicochemical properties (size, porosity, surface chemistry) and penetration into intra-articular cartilage

• Adapted multiphase drug delivery equations in MATLAB and employed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to assess in vitro controlled release and dissolution of corticosteroids with biodegradable polymers

Graduate Mentorship (Villanova University, College of Engineering) (June 2021 – August 2025)

• Villanova Undergraduate Research Fellows Program (VURF; 2 undergraduate students): Removal of Nitrogenous Compounds (Nitrate, Nitrite) and Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from Water and Soil using Pretreated and Differently Sourced Biochar

• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) P3 Program (4 undergraduate students): Enhancing the Anion-Exchange Capacity of Biochar for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) Stabilization in Contaminated Soils

• Villanova University College of Engineering John Hennessy Undergraduate Research Fund (1 undergraduate student): A Dual-Functioning Hydrogel-PLGA Microsphere Composite for Sustained Drug Delivery in Osteoarthritis and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

PhD Thesis (past): Enzyme Immobilization for the Rapid Destruction of Perfluorinated and Phenolic Chemicals

Villanova University Environmental Interfacial Chemistry (EIC) Group, Villanova, PA (January 2020 – May 2023)

• Designed enzyme-immobilized carbon system to promote degradation of perfluorinated and phenolic substances

MS Thesis: Enhanced Degradation of Tribromoacetic Acid using Pyrogenic Carbonaceous Matter

Villanova University EIC Group, Villanova, PA (August 2018 – December 2020)

• Explored enhanced adsorption & degradation of trihaloacetic acids with pyrogenic carbonaceous matter

Reactive Electrochemical Membranes for Removal of Disinfection By-Products in Small Drinking Water Systems

Villanova EIC Group (in collaboration with: University of Illinois at Chicago) (January 2018 – December 2019)

• Analyzed adsorption and electrochemical reduction/oxidation of disinfection by-products with pyrogenic carbon

Smart and Bioresponsive Paper as a Rapid Diagnostic Platform

McGill University Biocolloids and Surfaces Laboratory, Montreal, Quebec (May – August 2015)

• Synthesized and analyzed stability of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) nanocontainers

Relationship between Natural Freeze-Thaw Cycles and the Risk for Salmonella Contamination in Surface and Groundwater Environments

McGill University Biocolloids and Surfaces Laboratory, Montreal, Quebec (November 2014 – December 2015)

• Examined bacterial transport behavior in model porewaters, freeze-thaw temperatures, and with organic matter

Executive Committee Member, McGill Association of Postdoctoral Fellows, McGill University (2026-present)

Vocalist (Alto), St. Patrick's Basilica Choir (2026-present)

Vocalist (Alto), Villanova University Pastoral Musicians (2023-2025)

Organizer, Villanova University 2024 International Sustainability Conference (2024)

Graduate Student Senator, Engineering PhD, Villanova University Graduate Student Senate (2023-2024)

Peer Mentor, Villanova Graduate Student Peer Mentorship Program (2023-2024)

Peer Reviewer, Journal of Environmental Engineering (2022-2023)

Graduate Teaching Assistant/Lecturer - CEE 2301 (Environmental Engineering Science); CEE 3321 (Water and Wastewater Treatment); EGR 2001 (Humanistic Context); CHE 4931 (Chemical Engineering Lab); CHE 3932 (Chemical Engineering Lab I), Villanova University, College of Engineering (2018-2021)

Organizer/Presenter, Villanova University Outreach Programs (VESTED and NovaEDGE Diversity in Engineering) (2019-2020)