Meet the Team
We seek to foster a research environment in which each team member can become an independent thinker, leader, and future mentor. We advocate for multidisciplinary and collaborative research and strongly believe that diversity and inclusion are key for innovation.
Imilce A. Rodriguez-Fernandez
Principal Investigator
Originally from Guayama, Puerto Rico
B.Sc. | Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Ph.D. | Human Genetics, University California, Los Angeles
Postdoc | Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato CA & Genentech, Inc. South San Francisco, CA. Aging and stem cell research
Outside the lab | love painting, gardening, enjoys the great outdoors, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, watching documentaries & traveling
Melanie Reinoso Arnaldi
Ph.D. candidate
Originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico
B.Sc. | Biology - Human Approach, University of Puerto Rico Bayamón.
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Ph.D. (in progress) | Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Outside the lab | love reading, watching movies, drawing, listening to music and audiobooks, video gaming and traveling
Naomi Zoé Serrano Colón
Ph.D. candidate
B.Sc. | Integrative Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.
Ph.D. (in progress) | Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Funding: G-RISE
Outside the lab | I love outdoor activities like camping and go to the beach, working out, watching movies and photography
Patricia Pujols
Ph.D. candidate
Ph.D. (in progress) | Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Funding: NIH-NeuroGrad, G-RISE
Angel Torres Román
Ph.D. candidate
Originally from Utuado, Puerto Rico
B.Sc. | Biological Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla
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Ph.D. (in progress) | iology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Funding: G-RISE
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Outside the lab | I’m passionate about science, especially Astronomy. I love traveling, listening to new music, and enjoying nature (disconnecting to connect)
Karla Casillas
Ph.D. candidate
Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico
B.S. | Microbiology, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Carolina
M.S. | Enviromental Manangement, Universidad Ana G. Méndez, Cupey
Ph.D. (in progress) | Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
Funding: G-RISE
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Outside the lab | Love reading, watching movies and series, listening to music, and spending time with my family
Sharleen Hernández Salvat
M.S.c student
Originally from San Sebastian, Puerto Rico.
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B.Sc. | Biología con Énfasis en Biomédica, University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla
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M.S. (in progress) | Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras​
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​Outside the lab | I love the outdoors, solving puzzels, trivia nights, and spending time with my family and loved ones
Carlos Quiñones-Sanchez
Ph.D. candidate
Originally from Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico
B.Sc. | Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Humacao
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Postbac | NSF RampUP 2024-2025
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Ph.D. (in progress) | Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras
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Outside the lab | Video Game enthusiast who loves listening to music and watching anime. I also love traveling and spending time with my family
Melvin Pagán
NSF-RampUp Postbac
B.Sc. | Industrial Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez
Jan Bilbao Del Valle
Undergraduate Researcher
Originally from Las Piedras, PR.
B.Sc. (in progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology. Minors in Programming and Computing & Business Communication. , University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Funding: NIH-IDgene
Outside the lab | I like to go to the beach, hang out with friends, cook, and play videogames
Kerianalee Rivera
Undergraduate Researcher
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B.Sc. (in progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Funding: NIH-IDgene, U-RISE
Luna Segarra Alonzo
Undergraduate Researcher
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B.Sc. (in progress) | Cellular and Molecual Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras .
Funding: NIH-NeuroID
Chrisnelly Salgado
Undergraduate Researcher
Originally from Trujillo Alto, PR
B.Sc. (in progress) | Science- Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Outside the lab | I love crocheting animals, playing video games, and spending time with the people I love
Nicole Ruiz Cardona
Undergraduate Researcher
Originally from Carolina, PR
B.Sc. (in progress) | Cellular and Molecual Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Outside the lab | Love roadtrips and internal tourism, relaxing bingeing series, crocheting and reading, and exploring all the gastrononmic wonders Puerto Rico has to offer
Linoshka Nieves
Undergraduate Researcher
Originally from Bayamon, PR
B.Sc. (in progress) | Education in Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.
Funding: NIH-IDgene
Outside the lab | I love listening to music, take care of my orchids and Koi fish
Joseph Cancel
Undergraduate Researcher
B.Sc. (in progress) | Cellular and Molecual Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras .
Funding: NIH-IDgene
Andrea M. Hanke Lebrón
Undergraduate Researcher
B.Sc. (In progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Outside the lab | I've been dancing ballet since I was three years old, I'm a teacher and the theater will always be my happy place
Fabián D. Flores Maldonado
Undergraduate Researcher
B.Sc. (in progress) | Science- Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
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Outside the lab | I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do ITF
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Paolo Pirilo
Undergraduate Researcher
B.Sc. (in progress) | Integrative Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
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Veronica Alamo
Undergraduate Researcher
B.Sc. (In progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
Carlos Gonzalez
Undergraduate Resercher
B.Sc. (In progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras​
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Mikhail Massol
Undergraduate Researcher
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B.Sc. (In progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras​
Camila Vasquez
Undergraduate Researcher
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B.Sc. (In progress) | Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras​
Past Team Members
Angelie Nuñez-Colon
Summer undergraduate researcher, NSF IQ-Bio REU program
Kysha M Fernadez Adorno
Volunteer Research Assistant
Sept 2021 – Dec 2021
​Current status: M.D. school (started 2022)
Camila Colon-Ortiz
Undergraduate Researcher
October 2021 – July 2023
Programs: BIOL4990
Summer Internship with PRST Catalyzer Funds
​Current Status: Optometry student, Interamerican University (started Sept 2023)
Natalia Peta Martinez
Obtained M.S.c. in Biology, UPRRP, May 2024
​Currently: Registered Behavior Technician
Ricardo Rubin Balardin
Ph.D. candidate
Rotation: January 2022 - May 2022
​Currently: Completing PhD at Dr. Jose Merle (UPRRP) and Dr. Filipa Godoy labs (UPR RCM)
Arianna Cruz-Rotger
Undergraduate Researcher
August–December 2022
Program: BIOL4990.
Caroline Casiano-Rivera
Undergraduate Researcher
January 2022 – July 2023
Programs: PRSLAMP, BIOL4990;
Summer Internship with PRST Catalyzer Funds
Post-bac ENGAGE MBL (Sept 2023)
Current status: Neuroscience Ph.D. student, Boston University (started September 2024)
Charles Pfeiffer
Summer 2023 Undergraduate Researcher, NSF IQBIO-REU
Astrid Gonzalez
Undergraduate researcher (B.S., then Postbac)October 2021 – July 2024Programs: BIOL4990, Interdisciplinary ProgramSummer Internship with PRST Catalyzer Funds
Current status: M.D. student, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine (Aug 2024)
Austen Miller
Summer 2024 Undergraduate Researcher, NSF IQBIO-REU
Sherly Hernandez
Worked in my lab under “Permiso de Estudio” from August–December 2023.Officially joined the Ph.D. program in January 2024 and completed a rotation in my lab from January–July 2024.
Currently: Ph.D. student in Dr. Kelcie Chiquillo’s lab (UPRRP).
Keislamarí Cintrón-Berríos
Obtained M.S.c. in Biology, UPRRP, Dec 2024Mentors: Dr. Imilce Rodriguez-Fernandez & Dr. Gary Toranzos (co-thesis advisor)
Currently pursuing a PhD in Education at Ana G. Mendez University, San Juan PR.
Cecilia Fadhel
Undergraduate researcher (B.S.)
June 2022 – Summer 2023
Programs: IDGene, BIOL4990
Summer research: UT Health (2023)
Current status: Microbiology Ph.D. student, UTHealth Houston (started August 2024)
Xavier Maldonado
Undergraduate researcher (B.S.)August 2022 – May 2025Program: BIOL4990
Current status: M.D. student (starting Aug 2026)
Maria Mendoza-Dasilva
Undergraduate ResearcherAugust 2022 – May 2025Programs: BIOL4990, RISESummer research: UC Berkeley (2024)
Current status: Microbiology Ph.D. student, Duke University (started August 2025)
Merliz Perez-Vazquez
Undergraduate researcher
June 2023 – May 2025
Program: BIOL4990
Current status: M.S. Public Health student, UPR Medical Sciences Campus (starting August 2025)
Yadiel A. Benítez Colón
Undergraduate researcher (B.S.)
August 2023 – May 2024
Program: BIOL4990
Current status: M.D. student, Universidad Central del Caribe (started August 2025)
