Meet The Team
Meet The Team
Steering Commitee
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Riccardo Papa
Team Leader, Principal Investigator & Head of development
Expertise in butterfly genomics, CRISPR and developmental gene networks. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
Michelle Borrero
Co-Principal Investigator
Expertise in research based education & workforce development. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
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Rémi Mégret
Co-Principal Investigator
Expertise in computer science, machine learning and AI. Works at the Computer Science Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
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Abel Baerga
Co-Principal Investigator
Expertise in protein biochemistry, microbiology & analytical techniques. Works at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus.
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Hector Franco
Co-Principal Investigator
Expertise in single-cell multi-omics and epigenetic regulation. Works at the University of Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Nataliya Chorna
Co leader
Expertise in metabolomics and multi-omnics technology. Works at the Department of Biochemistry, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus.
Mario Maura
Co leader
Expertise in finance, business partnership and intellectual prosperity. Works at the Finance Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
Field Experts
Carmen Maldonado
Co leader
Expertise in outreach and science communications. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
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Humberto Ortiz-Zuazaga
Professor of Computer Science at UPRRP
Expertise in computer science, bioinformatics, and cyberinfrastructure. Works at the Computer Science Department, UPR Río Piedras.
Filipa Godoy-Vitorino
Professor & Chair of the UPR Department of MMZ
Expertise in microbiome research, specifically host‑microbe interactions using a multi omnics approach. Works at the UPR School of Medicine.
Maribella Domenech
Professor of Chemical Engineering, UPR
Expertise in chemical and biomedical engineering, cancer biology, and space-based cell manufacturing. Works at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the UPR
Carlos Corrada Bravo
Professor of Computer Science in UPRRP
Expertise in machine learning, bioacoustics, software development, databases, and ecoinformatics. Works at the Computer Science Department, UPR Río Piedras.
Carmen Cadilla
PI of molecular gene expression at UPR School of Medicine
Expertise in nucleic acid biochemistry, pharmacogenetics, and population genomics. Works at the Department of Biochemistry, UPR Medical Sciences Campus.
Kevin Laboy
PI in Neuroscience & Data Science
Expertise in data analysis , mathematical predictive modeling and neurophysiology. Works at the Molecular Sciences Research Center
Joseph Benito
Postdoc in Bioinformatics
Expertise in bioinformatics, phylogenetics, comparative genomics, molecular evolution, and biogeography. Works at the Biology Department UPR at Río Piedras.
Tanner Myers
Postdoc in Evolutionary Genomics
Expertise in butterfly genomics, phylogenetics and population genetics. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
Sebastiano Fava
PHD student
Expertise in population genomics, bioinformatics and molecular and applied biology. Works at the Biology Department, UPR at Río Piedras.
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Florence Piel
Research Assistant
Expertise in lab and butterfly maintenance. Creates science media content for outreach and training students. Works at the Biology Department, UPR at Río Piedras.
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Silvia Planas
Lab Technician
Expertise in lab instrumentation and genomic applications. Works at the Sequencing and Genomics Facility, UPR at Río Piedras.
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Yadira Ortiz Ruiz
Lab Technician
Expertise as a lab manager, instrumentation specialist and genomic applications. Works at the Biology Department, UPR at Río Piedras.
Nicolas A Miranda Diaz
PhD student
Expertise in genetics, evolutionary biology and proteomics. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
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Kevin Alicea
PI in cancer immunology and general science communicator
Expertise in science communication, STEM education, cancer immunology and tumor microenvironment. Works at the UPR Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Brenda Santiago
Executive Officer
Expertise in external funds management. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
Samuele Broccardo
PhD student
Expertise in bioinformatics, genomics and evolutionary biology. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
Elizabeth Evans
Lab Technician
Expertise in butterfly rearing, CRISPR technology and genetics. Works at the Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras.
External Sector Engagement
and Collaboration
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Jose Eduardo Vidal
CEO of CytoImmune Therapeutics
Expertise in cell and gene therapy; chemistry, manufacturing & controls manufacturing. Works at CytoImmune Therapeutics.
Edjean M. Calderón Cruz
Director Of Research And Evaluation at CoopSEI
Expertise in health science, diagnosis, guidance, and evaluation in education and psychopedagogy. Works at CoopSEI, Puerto Rico.
Mariano de Socarraz
CEO of CorePlus
Expertise in AI in digital pathology, healthcare innovation, clinical laboratory leadership, and transformation. Works at CorePlus, Puerto Rico.
Aurelio Fuentes
Co-Founder & Partner at DECA Analytics, LLC,
Expertise in banking, financial services, pharmaceuticals, tech, real estate, healthcare, and cybersecurity. Works at DECA Analytics, in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Lucy Crespo
CEO of the PR Science, Technology and Research Trust
Expertise in industrial engineering, science, research, and innovation ecosystem across Puerto Rico. Works at The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust.
Academic Institutions
San Juan / Puerto Rico
San Juan / Puerto Rico
UPR Río Piedras (RP, MB, RM, CM, HO) is the major graduate and research institution in the island, with a diversity of federal funded programs to enhance research in a minority serving institution. It will be the lead institution and will manage the proposal by providing resources to all participants
San Juan / Puerto Rico
The UPR-Medical Science (A,CC,NC) is the major graduate and research institution in the island focusing its research and education in human health. It will provide expertise in proteomics and metabolomics with access to state-of-the-art equipment necessary for data generation.
San Juan / Puerto Rico
The Molecular Science Research Center (KL) is a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to basic and translational biomedical research. It is equipped with cutting-edge laboratories and the most advanced scientific instrumentation in the Caribbean for multidisciplinary research. The MSRC operates as a network, aligning with contemporary research trends and aims to translate scientific discoveries into technologies with commercial potential to bolster Puerto Rico's economy.
Mayagüez / Puerto Rico
The UPR-Mayagüez is the major institution in the west of the island and is renowned for its engineering program that expands into biomaterial. This university will play an important role in innovation for the Blueprint of Life.
Humacao / Puerto Rico
Carolina / Puerto Rico
The UPR-Humacao (KA) is the principal undergraduate institution in the eastern part of Puerto Rico and will be contributing to the proposal with their expertise in science communication, and undergraduate mentoring.
The UPR-Carolina (MM) is a principle undergraduate institution in the north-easy part of Puerto Rico. They have a program in business administration and will be an important asset in connecting our proposal to the socio/economic panorama of Puerto Rico.
San Juan / Puerto Rico
The UPR-Comprehensive Cancer Center (HF) is a new research center equipped with cutting-edge omnics technologies focused on the development of new approaches to the study of cancer cells
Map of The Blueprint of Life's
Academic Institutions
National and International Collaborators
Ancón, Panema
Ancon / Panema
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), founded in 1910 in Panama to study tropical ecosystems and their connection to human well-being, is a world-renowned center for biodiversity research. STRI advances knowledge of tropical forests, marine environments, and the extraordinary range of species they sustain—from plants and microbes to insects such as butterflies that offer key insights into evolution and ecology.
Auburn, Alabama
The College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) at Auburn University is a hub for education and research in the life, physical, and mathematical sciences. It houses key research facilities such as the Counterman Lab in the Department of Biological Sciences. Brian Counterman's research specialises in the developmental and genomic changes involved in adaptation and speciation. Leveraging the diversity of butterfly wings, the lab seeks to understand how novel adaptive traits and new species arise in nature.
Chicago, Illinois
The University of Chicago is a key partner in our research collaborations. Within its Department of Ecology and Evolution, the laboratory of Marcus R. Kronforst focuses on adaptation and speciation, with particular emphasis on the genetic basis of wing pattern mimicry in butterflies. His work provides critical insights into how genetic variation shapes biodiversity and contributes directly to the goals of the Blueprint of Life.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
The National Center for Genome Resources (NCGR), based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to advancing genomics and bioinformatics. NCGR develops innovative software tools and computational approaches to analyze complex biological data, supporting research in human health, agriculture, and biodiversity. Its teams collaborate widely with academic partners, providing expertise in next-generation sequencing, data integration, and systems biology. Through these efforts, NCGR serves as a hub for cutting-edge genomic discovery and technological innovation.
Industry Collaborators
Toa Baja, Puerto Rico
CytoImmune Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company based in Puerto Rico dedicated to developing innovative immunotherapies for cancer. Beyond its scientific mission, CytoImmune plays an active role in Puerto Rico’s research ecosystem: it will provide workshops and training opportunities for our team and students, while we will reciprocate with training in omics data generation and analysis.
Carolina, Puerto Rico
CorePlus is a leading precision pathology laboratory in Puerto Rico with expertise in medical technologies, clinical procedures, and artificial intelligence. Through our collaboration, CorePlus will be trained in omics data generation and analysis, while supporting our team with student internships, workshops, and translational business opportunities.
Murrieta, California
COPAN Industries is a worldwide leader in sample collection products, driving innovation in clinical and research applications. As part of our collaboration, COPAN provides business-focused workshops and training for our team and students, while we reciprocate with expertise in omics data generation and analysis.
Pleasanton, California
10x Genomics is a biotech leader in single-cell omics applications. In our collaboration, they support the optimization of protocols, with a particular focus on advancing spatial (Visium) resolution technologies.
Government & Nonprofit Partners
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust (PRSTRT) is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering innovation-driven enterprises and strengthening Puerto Rico’s scientific ecosystem. As a key collaborator, the Trust supports our proposal and works with us toward the establishment of the Science & Technology Center, maximizing the island’s potential as a hub for research and innovation.
Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DEDC) is the government agency responsible for driving the island’s economic growth. In our collaboration, DEDC supports the integration of public policy with the knowledge economy and biotech fields, strengthening Puerto Rico’s role as a hub for innovation.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Center to Foster Innovations and Commercialization (UPR i+c) supports and trains STEM startups emerging from the University of Puerto Rico. It provides mentoring, workshops, and hands-on training for researchers, students, and entrepreneurs, helping transform scientific ideas into viable innovations.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
CoopSEI is a non-profit organization with extensive experience in evaluating federally funded projects. Dr. Edjean M. Calderón Cruz will lead the external evaluation of E-RISE RII, applying Daniel Stufflebeam’s CIPP model to assess Context, Input, Process, and Product, ensuring a thorough evaluation of project goals and outcomes.