Welcome to the project's webpage entitled “Strengthening Teaching and Advancing Research Partnerships: Reinforcing the STEM Workforce" (STARp). The STARp project is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This project uses a comprehensive approach to increase retention and graduation rates of high-need STEM students by improving the teaching and learning process and developing multisectoral partnerships. The project analyzes factors that improve STEM undergraduate education and help Hispanic students of Puerto Rico succeed in STEM. The strategies employed by the STARp project are aimed to broaden minority representation in the STEM fields.
This webpage describes the areas of the STARp project related to teaching and learning, undergraduate research, and citizen science investigations.
Soft Skills Workshop and STEM Hero Seminar Series 2025-2026
Soft Skills Workshops
STEM Hero Seminar Series
Soft Skills Workshop and STEM Hero Seminar Series 2024-2025
Soft Skills Workshops
STEM Hero Seminar Series
Soft Skills Workshop and STEM Hero Seminar Series 2023-2024
Soft Skills Workshops
STEM Hero Seminar Series
Miguel P. Méndez-González, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
Natural Science Department
Email: miguel.mendez3@upr.edu 787-890-2681 Ext. 4446
Omayra Hernández-Vale, Ph.D.
Co- Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
Natural Science Department
Email: omayra.hernandez1@upr.edu
787-890-2681 Ext. 4458
Vanessa López-Quiles, Ph.D.
Senior Administrator Sponsored Research
Email: vanessa.lopez1@upr.edu
Tel. 787-890-2681 Ext. 7005
Geovanny Negrón-Ruiz, M.Sc.
Research and Sponsored Projects Center Director
Email: geovanny.negron@upr.edu
Tel. 787890-2681 Ext. 7001
Webpage created by Alana D. López-Cruz and Omayra Hernández-Vale, Ph.D. 2023
Maintained and edited by: Dr. Omayra Hernández Vale and the following students:
Adrianairis Muñiz-Méndez (2026)
Kerymar Molinary Ruiz (2025)
Lorraine M. Ramos-Rosario (2024)
Adrianairis Muñiz Méndez, B.S. Student
Student Worker Program
(Programa de Estudiantes a Jornal)
Natural Sciences Department
Email: adrianairis.muniz@upr.edu
787-890-2681 Ext. 4458
Lorraine Ramos Rosario, B.S.
Study and Work Program
Natural Sciences Department
Email: kerymar.molinary@upr.edu
787-890-2681 Ext. 4458
Kerymar Molinary Ruiz, B.S.
Study and Work Program
Natural Sciences Department
Email: kerymar.molinary@upr.edu
787-890-2681 Ext. 4458
Alana del Coral López Cruz B.S.
Study and Work Program
Natural Sciences Department
Email: aalanadelcoral.lopez@upr.edu
787-890-2681 Ext. 4458
Omayra Hernández-Vale, Ph.D.
Co- Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
Natural Science Department
Email: omayra.hernandez1@upr.edu
787-890-2681 Ext. 4458