Mentoring and Mentees
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn.”– Benjamin Franklin
A good scientist does not become a mentor by default; a good teacher does not become a mentor by default. Becoming a good mentor involves developing a series of skillsets that go beyond simply telling and teaching someone.
Current Mentees - Graduate Students
Dr. Bianca N. Valdés-Fernández
Dr. Valdés-Fernández is a faculty and dean of the School of Health and Sciences at the University of Sacred Heart in Puerto Rico. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Department of Microbiology of the School of Medicine of the University of Puerto Rico. She earned a Ph.D. in Biology through an intercampus program between the Department of Biology of the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus, and the Associate Deanship of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus. During her Ph.D. thesis, she studied the anti-inflammatory capacity of the Fasciola hepatica Glutathione S-TransferaseShe earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Biology in 2014 at the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Campus. During her undergraduate education, she worked in the Immunology and Parasitology Laboratory of Dr. Ana M. Espino, investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of Fasciola hepatica’s proteins. For the first four years of her graduate journey, she worked under the supervision of Dr. José Lasalde with the purification and crystallization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
Also, she was the Co-Director of the Puerto Rico Science Policy Action Network (PR-SPAN), where she promoted science-based public policies. Bianca enjoys watching Netflix, going to the beach, and exercising outside academia.
Click here to view Bianca’s C.V.
Dr. Lorraine N. Vélez-Torres
Dr. Lorraine N. Vélez-Torres is a postdoctoral fellow at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Massey Cancer Center, where she is part of the BRIDGE and T32 Cancer Prevention and Control – Cancer Health Equity (CPC-CHE) programs. Her research focuses on understanding the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on accelerated atherosclerosis in breast cancer patients, incorporating advanced imaging techniques, inflammatory biomarkers, and social determinants of health to improve patient outcomes.
Dr. Vélez-Torres holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, specializing in mycology, aerobiology, and environmental health. Her dissertation explored the long-term impact of Hurricane María on indoor fungal pollution in water-damaged homes and its potential pro-inflammatory and allergenic effects, contributing to public health and environmental science. She also earned a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Epidemiology, equipping her with a strong foundation in disease prevention and population health research.
Her extensive research experience spans infectious diseases, environmental microbiology, and cancer health disparities. She has worked on projects evaluating the relationship between outdoor aeroallergens and asthma-related health services in Puerto Rico and assessing indoor mold amplification as a risk factor for childhood asthma in low-income communities. She has also contributed to molecular diagnostics research on arboviruses at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Dengue Branch.
A committed mentor, science communicator, and advocate for diversity in STEM, Dr. Vélez-Torres co-founded Graduate Women in Science Puerto Rico (GWIS-PR) and serves as Mentoring Director for "Vistazo A La Ciencia," a science communication platform aimed at making research accessible to the general public. She has mentored students through CienciaPR’s Seeds of Success Program, L’Oreal for Girls in Science, and the Letters to a Pre-Scientist initiative, inspiring future scientists.
Her contributions to science and education have been recognized with multiple accolades, including the Dean’s List Award and Research Excellence Award from the Biomedical Sciences Deanship and the Robert I. Laurus Award for Outstanding Poster Presentation from the AAAS Caribbean Division. She has received travel fellowships from organizations such as the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) and the Society of Toxicology (SOT), further highlighting her impact on the scientific community.
With a strong background in microbiology, epidemiology, and cancer health equity research, Dr. Vélez-Torres is dedicated to bridging the gap between environmental exposures, social determinants of health, and disease prevention. Through her leadership, mentorship, and research, she continues to advocate for inclusivity and innovation in STEM, ensuring that scientific advancements translate into tangible benefits for vulnerable communities.
Xaymara Hernández-González
Xaymara is from a small town (Humacao) located on the east coast of Puerto Rico. She completed a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico in Humacao. During her undergraduate years, she had the opportunity to participate in research investigations trying to isolate potential antimicrobial-producing bacteria and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. She was part of the Student Microbiology Chapter and the American Student Medical Association.
Recently (April 2023), Xaymara successfully defended her M.S. thesis at the University Of Puerto Rico Medical and Science Campus under the primary mentorship of Dr. Benjamin Bolanos. Her thesis investigations focused on identifying the role of aeroallergens, such as pollen and fungal spores, in the susceptibility to acquired Covid-19.
During the past three years, she had the opportunity to collaborate in the project "Taking a breath after Hurricane Maria," taking air samples from water-damaged houses and identifying fungus captured from the air samples. Also, she is working on analyzing data from air samples captured from houses located in the community of Piñones in Loiza, Puerto Rico. Currently, she is part of the directive of the Microbiology Chapter at the UPR-RCM and is the representative of the master students on the graduate committee. Besides academia, Xaymara enjoys exercising, doing road trips, and reading. She pursues continued graduate studies.
Click here to view Xaymara’s C.V.
Dr. Sukeina Nasser (Suki)
Dr. Sukeina Nasar (Suki) is a highly skilled pharmacist with expertise in medication therapy management (MTM) and a strong interest in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR). Through her dedication to patient-centered care and a commitment to professional growth, Sukeina is driven to make a meaningful impact in the pharmaceutical industry. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Larkin University College of Pharmacy and is licensed as a pharmacist in Florida and Michigan. She carries an additional license as a consultant pharmacist in Florida. Suki engages in ongoing education and remains actively involved in her field, obtaining various certifications in diabetes management, prior authorization, medication therapy management, and managed care pharmacy.
Currently working as a Clinical Pharmacist at Optum, Suki has demonstrated abilities in leading MTM consults with patients, caregivers, nurses, and physicians. Through comprehensive analysis of patient medication profiles, she identifies opportunities for improved adherence, optimized drug utilization, and cost-effective recommendations. Her ability to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients and healthcare providers enables her to engage with diverse populations.
In addition to her professional achievements, Suki is committed to community outreach and involvement. She serves as a member of BasBlue’s Community Committee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and non-binary individuals in Detroit through programming, scholarship, and mentorship opportunities. During her tenure as President and Founding Member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) student chapter at Larkin University, she established a platform for students to gain knowledge, experience, and connections in the managed care industry, and she remains an active member of AMCP today.
With her diverse skill set, passion for healthcare, and desire to transition into the HEOR space, Sukeina is poised to contribute significantly to advancing patient care, health outcomes, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Click here for her resume.
Tashoy Campbell
Tashoy Campbell (born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica) is a graduate student in Biological Sciences at Lynn University, specializing in Health Science. Her academic journey focuses on the intersection of biology, healthcare, and scientific research, with aspirations to become a Physician Assistant. Through her studies, she is gaining in-depth knowledge of biological processes, healthcare applications, and medical research methodologies, positioning herself for a career in patient care and clinical research.
In addition to her academic background, Tashoy has gained extensive hands-on experience in quality assurance, laboratory analysis, and regulatory compliance. She worked as a QA Laboratory Technician Lead at Ventura Foods, where she played a key role in testing, monitoring, and documenting product quality results, ensuring compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Safe Quality Food (SQF) standards. Prior to this, she served as a Regulatory Analyst at Pace Analytical Services, where she was responsible for reviewing safety data sheets (SDS) and label compliance for Sherwin-Williams products. Her experience also includes working as a Testing Site Specialist at Curative, where she conducted COVID-19 antigen and PCR testing, demonstrating her ability to operate in high-stakes clinical settings.
Tashoy earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s University, New York, where she was an active member of the Theta Iota Chapter of the Beta Beta Beta Honor Society. She also contributed to campus life as an Undergraduate Assistant and Tour Guide, leading prospective students and families through the university, showcasing her leadership and communication skills.
Her technical expertise spans quality assurance, laboratory protocols, and compliance monitoring, with certifications in HACCP Training for Processors and SQF Internal Auditing. She has also acted as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for ERP system implementation at Ventura Foods, aligning systems with industry best practices.
With a strong foundation in biological sciences, healthcare applications, and regulatory compliance, Tashoy Campbell is committed to bridging science and health. Her career trajectory reflects her dedication to patient care, clinical research, and laboratory excellence as she continues to build a path toward becoming a Physician Assistant and healthcare leader.
Dr. Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez
Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez, Ph.D. - Bio
Dr. Alexandra Colón-Rodríguez is a distinguished neuroscientist, science communicator, and STEM advocate who fosters mentorship and inclusivity in science. She currently serves as the Senior Program Manager for Genentech’s Postdoc Program, leading initiatives supporting early-career researchers in advancing biomedical innovation. With a Ph.D. in Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology-Environmental Toxicology from Michigan State University, her research expertise spans neurotoxicology, neurodevelopmental disorders, and the impact of environmental factors on brain function.
Beyond her role in the industry, Dr. Colón-Rodríguez is a passionate science communicator and educator, having served as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist and Director of Science Communication Faculty Training at the University of California, Davis. In this capacity, she split her time between neuroscience research and leading science communication initiatives, empowering researchers to effectively convey their findings to diverse audiences. She has also taught biomedical research seminars at California State University-Sacramento, demonstrating her commitment to education.
A dedicated advocate for diversity in STEM, Dr. Colón-Rodríguez is the Founder and Director of STEAM100X35. This nonprofit organization highlights and amplifies the contributions of Puerto Rican women in STEM fields. She also co-founded the Northern California Regional Chapter of the Society of Toxicology’s Mentoring Program, an initiative to provide professional guidance and career development support for aspiring toxicologists.
Her contributions to science and mentorship have earned her numerous accolades, including the Sor Isolina Ferré Award for Excellence in Service in the Education Category, one of the highest distinctions for community service awarded by the Puerto Rican government. She also received the ENDURE-BPNP Distinguished Scholar Award from Michigan State University, recognizing her academic and professional achievements.
As an advocate for education, inclusion, and innovation, she inspires the next generation of scientists through her leadership, research, and outreach efforts.