Mishelle Rivera-Santos is an environmental microbiologist with a bachelor's degree in Industrial Microbiology and a master's degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus. During her graduate studies, Rivera-Santos conducted research with Dr. John Uscian on protein extraction from the silk snapper Lutjanus vivanus. Later, she worked with Dr. Eduardo Schröeder on research related to water quality monitoring of the Yagüez River. Mishelle worked for ten years in the allied health sciences field. Currently, Mishelle is a faculty member at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce Campus.

She has over a decade of active commitment to the Puerto Rico Society of Microbiologists (PRSM), of which she has been a member since 2016. Over the years, she has had the honor of serving in various roles, including Board Member, President-Elect, President, and ASM Councilor. Mishelle has also led key initiatives as a student chapter coordinator, supporting their development, sustained engagement, and sense of belonging.

Her aspirations within PRSM focus on continuing to strengthen its organizational structure through a broad, dynamic, and collaborative lens. Mishelle aims to serve once again on the Executive Board to continue supporting the sustainability of our initiatives, particularly those centered on student professional development, scientific outreach, and inter-institutional collaboration. She is also committed to expanding PRSM’s reach into industry and fields related to microbiology, fostering impactful partnerships among professionals from aligned disciplines.

Mishelle has demonstrated effective leadership in organizing two annual conventions, four student symposia, semiannual meetings, and professional development workshops, as well as in recruitment efforts, resource coordination, and support for organizing committees. Her leadership style is defined by assertive communication, mutual respect, and strong teamwork, which she believes are essential to achieving our collective goals. Mishelle firmly believes in the power of scientific communities as engines for social transformation, and she reaffirms her commitment to developing strategies that elevate the role of microbiology in Puerto Rico.

Email: mishelle_rivera@pucpr.edu