Citizen Science Coordinator- Prof. Eduardo Díaz

Currently a Program Manager for Friends of Puerto Rico, a non-partisan, non-profit 501(c)(3) social impact organization, Eduardo is leading an innovative young entrepreneurship program in the island, SEEDS, impacting more than 200 students and seven different municipalities. These students are, for the most part, underrepresented students in Puerto Rico who are seeking opportunities to provide economic independence to their families. Along with his active role in this non-profit organization, Eduardo is also a scientific and technical consultant for the second largest manufacturing pharmaceutical company in Puerto Rico, Bristol Myers Squibb.

His educational career began in 2006 at the University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla where he intended to major in Bioinformatics. During his first two years, and after falling in love with Microbiology, Eduardo decided to pursue a career in Industrial Microbiology at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez. After the completion of the degree, and his noticeable professionalism, landed him a job as a Quality Laboratory Technician in Life Scan LLC a Johnson and Johnson Company where he was able to display all the laboratory skills, scientific techniques and interpersonal skills learned during his educational formation. After two years in this role, a major career change was needed and decided to pursue a career in education. Raised by teachers, the teaching nature flourished and began teaching at a public school in Dallas Texas, Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and Aquatic Sciences. Pegasus School of Liberal arts and Sciences accounts for 100% of the students in attendance to be considered at-risk, economical disadvantage and in major need.

As a teacher, and a naturally raised leader and educator, after four years in the role, the administration of the educational institution decided to put in his hands the operations of the school. During this time the lowest ever turnover-rate was accomplished and state scores, school community and spirit were at their best. Serving 500 underrepresented, at-risk and economically disadvantaged students and around seventy employees, Eduardo was able to display tru character, commitment and dedication to the development of the students.

While in the role, in 2019, a Masters Degree in Educational Management and Leadership was achieved at the Inter American University of Puerto Rico. Eduardo’s constant desire for progress has been a key factor in the success at his designated tasks. During this time, Eduardo was again promoted and assigned the Federal Programs Coordinator role where he was able to apply, monitor and report a numerous of federal grants that were available for educational institutions with zero observations. A detailed description of the managed grants and the amounts is detailed in the curriculum vitae attached in this proposal. 

To extend his impact outside of the educational institution, Eduardo was also part of the West Dallas Steering Committee. The intention of the committee was to be a mediator between developers, propulsor of gentrification, and low income families living between these major developments. The committee made it visible to these developers that there are families in need that have been displaced by the establishment of multimillionaire real-estate developments.

Finally, it is important to note that after 8 and half years impacting students in Dallas Texas, Eduardo and his family of 5, decided to engage in a bigger challenge. Impact the underrepresented populations but this time back in the place where he was raised, impacting people like him who are growing up with even bigger needs than the ones he had to.