Héctor Abdiel
López-Rivera

Biomedical Sciences candidate with minors in Psychology and Neuroscience, integrating behavioral neuroscience research with clinical training to advance diagnostic precision, mental health, and equitable patient care.

Caguas, PR (939) 349-2582 lopezriv.hector@gmail.com
Héctor Abdiel López-Rivera

Where science meets patient care.

Fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, with minors in Psychology and Neuroscience. Aspiring physician–scientist focused on integrating neuroscience research with clinical training to improve diagnostic precision and patient outcomes.

Experienced in behavioral and molecular research, scientific communication, and leadership in community-centered initiatives. Committed to equity in healthcare and to building a career where science and patient care are not separate paths, but the same one.

Research Interests

Cognitive Sciences Behavioral Neuroscience Neurodegenerative Diseases Memory & Learning
1,250+
Hours · Behavioral neuroscience research (UPR Río Piedras)
370
Hours · C. elegans & brain injury research (UT Southwestern)
350
Hours · Mental health & addiction data analysis (WestCare)
200
Hours · Microbiology research (Sagrado · ISSS)
200
Hours · Founding President, Neuroscience Student Association
112
Hours · Clinical shadowing across 8 specialties
98
Hours · Community service & outreach (Puerto Rico)
70
Hours · Mentoring & tutoring (Becados Contigo)
60
Hours · Computational neuroscience workshops (MIT QMW)

Academic foundation.

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
Bachelor's Degree in Biomedical Sciences · Minor in Psychology · Minor in Neuroscience
GPA: 3.66 Location: San Juan, PR Expected: December 2026
5× Dean's List Beca FEE — Full Ride
Relevant Coursework Neurobiology · Microbiology · Research Methods · Social Psychology
Aug 2022 – Present
Escuela Superior Urbana (Vocational)
High School Degree · Nursing Program · Clinical Training
GPA: 4.00 Location: Aguas Buenas, PR
Valedictorian Class President
Aug 2018 – Jun 2022

Professional experience.

From rodent behavioral neuroscience to C. elegans models of traumatic brain injury, computational neuroscience at MIT, and community-based mental health analytics — building the bench-to-bedside toolkit of a future physician–scientist.

May – July 2026 · Upcoming

University of Miami — Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine

Research Undergraduate Fellowship · NCI-SURF Program · Miami, FL

  • Selected to conduct neuroscience research through the NCI-funded Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship at a leading academic medical center.
June 2024 – Present

University of Puerto Rico — Río Piedras Campus

Research Undergraduate Associate · Neuro-ID Program · San Juan, PR

  • Performed behavioral analysis, data collection, and molecular assays in rodent models.
  • Co-author and poster presenter at the 2024 Society for Neuroscience Conference.
  • Author and poster presenter at the 2025 Society for Neuroscience Conference.
  • Accumulated 1,250+ hours of intensive neuroscience research experience.
Projects
FAAH Inhibition with URB-597 Attenuates Neuroinflammation-Induced Deficits in Working and Recognition Memory in Male Rats · Aug 2025 – Present · Author
Effects of Endocannabinoid System Activation in Neuro-Inflammatory Induced Depressive and Anxiety Behaviors via LPS Injection · Jun 2024 – Jun 2025 · Co-Author
Effects of Endocannabinoid System Activation Through Exercise on Sociability in Adolescent Rats · Jun 2024 – Jun 2025 · Co-Author
September 2025 – March 2026

WestCare Foundation — Guara Bi Caribana

Research Data Analyst · Internship · Caguas, PR

  • Improved data-entry workflows, contributing to progress toward a federal grant.
  • Strengthened analytical and organizational skills by integrating community-level data into program evaluations, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
  • Completed 350 hours in community-based mental health and addiction services data analysis.
June – August 2025

UT Southwestern Medical Center

Research Undergraduate Internship · SURF · Dallas, TX

  • Performed brain injury assays in C. elegans to investigate neuroprotective mechanisms and behavioral outcomes.
  • Quantified locomotion and stress-induced phenotypes using Biometric Imaging Systems and automated tracking tools.
  • Applied fluorescent microscopy to assess mitochondrial morphology and markers of neurodegeneration.
  • Strengthened proficiency in experimental design, data interpretation, and quantitative analysis workflows.
  • Completed a 370-hour intensive program in neuroscience and metabolic biology.
Project
Olfaction Modulates Dopaminergic Survival in C. elegans Model of Traumatic Brain Injury · Author
January 2025

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

2025 Quantitative Methods Workshop Scholar · Cambridge, MA

  • Completed 60 hours of intensive computational neuroscience workshops.
  • Applied mathematical modeling and coding to simulate neural function and behavior.
  • Gained foundational training in Python and R for quantitative analysis and modeling.
January – December 2024

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón

Research Intern · Increasing Student Success in STEM (ISSS) · San Juan, PR

  • Developed foundational laboratory skills, including aseptic techniques, staining, and microbial classification.
  • Performed sampling, microscopic analysis, and identification of microbial species from coastal benthic environments.
  • Completed 200 hours of microbiology-centered research.
Project
Characterization of Microorganisms in Benthic Zones at Laguna Tortuguero · Co-Author
June – July 2023

University of Virginia — School of Medicine

Summer Medical Leadership Program Scholar (SMLP) · Charlottesville, VA

  • Completed 20 hours of combined clinical exposure and physician shadowing across internal medicine and other specialties.
  • Engaged with diverse healthcare environments serving underrepresented communities.
  • Collaborated with faculty mentors to explore pathways in medical education, health equity, and physician-scientist training.

Research toolkit.

Built across rodent behavioral neuroscience, C. elegans models, microbiology, and computational neuroscience training.

Laboratory Techniques

Behavioral assays (rodent models)Advanced
Molecular assays & protein analysisAdvanced
Fluorescent microscopyProficient
Aseptic techniques & microbiologyProficient
C. elegans handling & imagingProficient

Computational & Analytical

Experimental design & data interpretationAdvanced
Automated tracking & biometric imagingProficient
Quantitative neuroscience modelingIntermediate
PythonBasic
RBasic

Scientific Communication

Poster presentations (8 conferences)Advanced
Mentoring & teachingAdvanced
Oral presentationsAdvanced
Manuscript writingProficient

Languages

SpanishNative
EnglishFluent
FrenchBasic

Publications & Presentations.

Manuscripts in Preparation

FAAH Inhibition with URB-597 Attenuates Neuroinflammation-Induced Deficits in Working and Recognition Memory in Male Rats In preparation
López-Rivera, H.A., Frontera, A., Abreu, E., Rosa, G., Maldonado-Vlaar, C.
University of Puerto Rico — Río Piedras · San Juan, PR

Featured Posters & Oral Presentations

FAAH Inhibition with URB-597 Attenuates Neuroinflammation-Induced Deficits in Working and Recognition Memory in Male Rats
University of Puerto Rico — Río Piedras · Author
  • 4th Multidisciplinary Local Symposium — Sagrado · San Juan, PR · April 10, 2026 ★ Awarded 3rd place in the Undergraduate Category
Olfaction Modulates Dopaminergic Survival in C. elegans Model of Traumatic Brain Injury
UT Southwestern Medical Center · Author
  • 2025 SURF Symposium · Dallas, TX · August 6, 2025
  • Neuro-ID Program — UPR Río Piedras (Oral) · San Juan, PR · September 17, 2025
  • 11th Behavioral Health Research Symposium · PHSU Medical School, Ponce, PR · October 18, 2025
  • 2025 Society for Neuroscience Conference · San Diego, CA · November 15, 2025
  • 33rd Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference · San Juan, PR · December 6, 2025
  • Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience · West Palm Beach, FL · March 9, 2026
Effects of Endocannabinoid System Activation in Neuro-Inflammatory Induced Depressive and Anxiety Behaviors Through LPS Injection
University of Puerto Rico — Río Piedras · Co-Author
  • 2025 Society for Neuroscience Conference · San Diego, CA · November 17, 2025
Effects of Endocannabinoid System Activation Through Exercise on Sociability in Adolescent Rats
University of Puerto Rico — Río Piedras · Co-Author
  • 2024 Society for Neuroscience Conference · Chicago, IL · October 5, 2024
  • USC Sciences Poster Session · San Juan, PR · October 28, 2024
  • Neuro-ID Program — UPR Río Piedras (Oral) · San Juan, PR · May 23, 2025

From the bench to the bedside.

112 hours of clinical shadowing across eight specialties · 98+ hours of community service across Puerto Rico.

Clinical Shadowing

Neurosurgery26 hrs
Psychiatry25 hrs
Neurology22 hrs
Cardiology15 hrs
Gastroenterology9 hrs
Orthopedics8 hrs
OB-GYN5 hrs
Internal Medicine2 hrs

Community Service

Campus-Based Service & Outreach

8 academic semesters · 88 hours

Sustained service and outreach across the Sagrado Corazón community throughout the undergraduate years.

Point-in-Time Count · Unhoused Populations

10 hours · Mental health evaluation & service planning

Conducted needs assessments integrating mental-health evaluation with service planning and resource coordination for unhoused communities in Puerto Rico.

Becados Contigo · Tutor & Mentor

Aug 2023 – Aug 2024 · Aug 2025 – Jan 2026 · 70 hours

Provided academic and emotional support to first-year scholarship peers, focused on academic success, transition support, and resilience-building.

STEM 100x35 Sciences Fair · Scientific Judge

April 2025 · Bayamón, PR

Served as an official judge for high-school student scientific projects at a statewide STEM fair, mentoring students and promoting scientific inquiry.

Building communities.

Leading from a state HOSA chapter to founding the first undergraduate neuroscience association at Sagrado Corazón.

Jan 2026 – Present

Society for Neuroscience — Neuronline

Community Leader

One of twelve trainees selected to help lead SfN's Neuronline community platform. Facilitate discussions on neuroscience training, career development, and mental health, highlighting Latino/Hispanic and other underrepresented trainees' perspectives.

Volunteering at the American Red Cross — Puerto Rico Chapter
Nov 2025 – Present

American Red Cross — Puerto Rico Chapter

Biomedical Services Transport Specialist

Collaborate with healthcare staff and Red Cross teams to maintain compliance with safety and handling protocols. Support island-wide blood supply chain by transporting blood products between collection centers and hospitals.

Neuroscience Student Association at Sagrado Corazón Welcome Activity
Apr 2025 – Present

Neuroscience Student Association · USC

Founding President

Founded and led the campus's first undergraduate neuroscience association. Recruited 50 active members in two months, organized 10 academic events in the inaugural semester, and completed 200 hours across planning and member development.

Aug 2023 – Present

American Medical Student Association · USC Chapter

Member

Active in pre-medical networking events and professional development resources for aspiring physicians. Earned a Certificate of Recognition for outstanding involvement (May 2024).

Aug 2021 – May 2022

HOSA Caguas Region

Regional President

Coordinated regional student activities and served as liaison between school chapters and the Regional Board. Placed 3rd state-wide in the HOSA Medical Terminology Competition.

May 2021 – May 2022

HOSA Puerto Rico

State President

Represented Puerto Rico in national leadership forums. Led a six-member executive team to implement statewide initiatives and expand chapter engagement across the island for high-school students.

Honors & certifications.

Honors & Awards

2022 – Present

5× Dean's List

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón · Recognized across five academic semesters.

August 2022 – May 2026

Beca FEE — Full-Ride Scholarship

Universidad del Sagrado Corazón · Merit-based academic scholarship.

June 2022

Valedictorian — Class of 2022

Highest academic distinction upon graduation · GPA 4.00.

May 2021 – May 2022

Class President

Elected by peers to represent and lead the graduating class.

August 2020 – May 2022

Student Council Board Spokesman

Escuela Superior Urbana — Liaison between student body and school administration.

Memberships & Certifications

June 2024

ORCID iD

0009-0002-2247-6870

June 2024

CITI — Working with the IACUC

ID 63070654 · Expires June 2027

June 2024

CITI — Working with Mice in Research Settings

ID 63070657 · Expires June 2027

June 2024

CITI — Working with Rats in Research Settings

ID 63070658 · Expires June 2027

June 2024

CITI — Reducing Pain and Distress in Lab Mice and Rats

ID 63070656 · Expires June 2027

October 2024

CITI Program — Social and Behavioral Research

ID 64678793 · Expires October 2027

October 2024

Society for Neuroscience

Active membership.

October 2025

European Brain and Behaviour Society

Active membership.

Let's build something meaningful.

Open to research collaborations, MD/PhD conversations, or just networking. Feel free to reach out!