Leo Seballos was raised in Los Angeles, California, and attended Loyola Marymount University where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Chemistry. During his time in college, he decided to pursue a career in academia. Therefore, he attended the University of California in Santa Cruz and obtained his Ph.D. there, conducting research involving the development of materials that assist in biochemical detection. He has published several papers that further our understanding of molecule-metal surface interactions and the application of metal nanomaterials in Surface-enhanced Ramen Scattering detection techniques. His current interest is in the development and characterizations of materials focusing on inorganic, semiconductor and metal nanomaterials that have health and environmental applications. Although he finds the experience of conducting research rewarding, it is the strong student-teacher relationships he forged as undergraduate student at a liberal arts university that have enriched his life and have given him a greater passion he would like to share.