Dr. Héctor L. Ayala-del-Río has a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH). Subsequently, he obtained a doctorate in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, and a postdoctoral degree in Microbial Genomics and Bioinformatics, both from the Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University. In 2004, he joined the Department of Biology at UPRH where he is currently Professor. Doctor Ayala-del-Río has taught courses in Microbiology, Ecology of Microorganisms, Biotechnology and Genetics. His research projects are focused on the application of genomics and bioinformatics techniques to the study of cold adaptations in microorganisms, microbial ecology of tropical environments and applied microbiology. Since 2008, he has been the Director of the Amgen Biotech Experience Program. For his contributions in the field of Biotechnology, he was recognized by the Industry University Research Center (INDUNIV) consortium as “Faces of Biosciences 2018”. From 2013 to 2019, he served as Director of the UPRH Biology Department. Currently, he is Dean of Academic Affairs at UPRH.

Rosalmari de Jesús is an Educational Coordinator in the Amgen Biotech Experience Program and Microbiology Lab Technician of the Biology Department at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH). She obtained a Physical Therapy associate degree and a Microbiology bachelor’s degree from UPRH. Currently, she collaborates with Dr. Héctor Ayala in supervising under-graduated students at their research in Environmental Microbiology.

Dr. Carlos M. Rodríguez Minguela has a Ph.D. in Crop and Soil Sciences and Environmental Toxicology from the Center for Microbial Ecology at Michigan State University, one of the first 11 Science and Technology Centers of the National Science Foundation. Currently he is an Associate Professor at the Biology Department of the University of Puerto Rico (Mayagüez Campus)

James K. Otero was born in Puerto Rico (PR) and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a B.S. in Biology. For graduate studies James decided to move to the USA to continue studies at Michigan State University where he obtained a M.S. in Neuroscience. After he worked as an academic researcher in areas of development, neuroscience and bioinformatics in Puerto, USA and Spain respectively

Armando M. Rivera Gómez is a Lab Technician in the Amgen Biotech Experience Program at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao (UPRH). In the process of graduating from a Bachelor's degree in Microbiology on May 2020.