Research and Development
We serve as a beacon of health innovation and research excellence in Puerto Rico and beyond
The Research Institute (RI) leads the way in advanced applied research in integrative biosciences, with a special emphasis on decoding the fundamental biological processes, underlying diseases that impact the Puerto Rican population.
Our ambition is to establish ourselves as a premier center of innovation and excellence in bioscience research, recognized not just within Puerto Rico but globally.
Our Vision
Our institute is committed to a holistic approach, encompassing research, discovery, education, training, and the application of knowledge across a diverse array of biomedical challenges.
Our Mission
We aim to foster an environment where scientific excellence thrives, contributing to a profound understanding of life’s complexities and advancing the frontiers of biosciences. Through our dedication, we seek to inspire breakthroughs and innovations that transcend traditional boundaries, paving the way for new solutions in the biosciences landscape.
Our Initiatives
NIIMBL eXperience
The NIIMBL eXperience @ PRSTRT is an exclusive, premier, all-expenses-paid immersion program. This unique opportunity is specifically designed for first- and second-year STEM university and community college students, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, including Black, Latinx, and Indigenous communities.
Who do we connect with?
Our program supports researchers, healthcare professionals, and students (both local and international) dedicated to biomedical research and health improvement, fostering collaborations with hospitals, biopharmaceutical and biomanufacturing companies, and biotech startups for a dynamic research environment.
How do we do it?
We are committed to advancing integrative biosciences through pioneering research, discovery, and the application of knowledge across various biomedical challenges. Our approach values diversity, recognizing that differences in education, training, backgrounds, and perspectives are essential to driving innovation and progress in biosciences.
Our institute is located at the Science City within the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust, making it a hub for multidisciplinary collaboration. We aim to create an ecosystem that nurtures research, education, and training, providing an environment where scientists with both specialized expertise and a broad understanding of the biological sciences can thrive.
Our holistic perspective is crucial for recognizing and leveraging advancements across different fields, catalyzing breakthroughs that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. By uniting experts from different disciplines, we aim to create a dynamic synergy that propels forward our mission to redefine the biosciences landscape.
Driving innovation and progress in biosciences
Our Team
Dariana Morales Vázquez, MS
Core Labs Manager
Ednalise Santiago Cartagena, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Lorraine Rodriguez-Rivera, PhD
Senior Research Scientist
Luis A. Acevedo Márquez, MS
Bioinformatics Scientist
Yrellis Pérez Negrón, BS, MBA
Data Manager
Gabriela Morales Vilá, BS
Laboratory Technician
Jeriel Carrasquillo Cruz, BS
Laboratory Technician
Leading Biosciences Research for Puerto Rico at Science City
+33,000
SARS-CoV-2 samples recollected in our biorepository to understand the virus’s evolution
+13,500
Sequence completions of the SARS-CoV-2 genomes to better understand the Covid-19 pandemic
+10,500
Successfully identified critical mutations of SARS-CoV-2 detected via the ddPCR test
Empowering Research
& Leading Surveillance
& Leading Surveillance
Establishment of Core Laboratories, to facilitate onboarding of new researchers and trainees, local and from the international community.
Established the Puerto Rico COVID-19 Surveillance Initiative, standing as the 4th jurisdiction in the US, submitting the highest number of COVID-19 sequences.
