Alberto Rivera Rentas, Ph.D.
About Alberto Rivera Rentas, Ph.D.
Alberto Rivera Rentas, Ph.D., serves as a Research Training Officer at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) since 2014, contributing to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD. He has held various roles within NIH and academic institutions, focusing on research management and international collaboration.
Work at National Institutes of Health
Alberto Rivera Rentas, Ph.D., has been serving as a Research Training Officer at the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) since 2014. His tenure at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) spans over a decade, during which he has held various roles. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Program Director at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) from 2006 to 2012 and as a Program Director/Training Officer at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) from 2012 to 2014. He also served as the Acting Director of the NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) from 1999 to 2000.
Education and Expertise
Alberto Rivera Rentas earned his Ph.D. in Biology/Neurobiology from the University of Puerto Rico, where he studied from 1991 to 1996. He also completed his medical education at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine from 1988 to 1991. His undergraduate studies in Natural Sciences culminated in a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Puerto Rico from 1984 to 1988. This extensive educational background supports his expertise in research training and program management within the NIH.
Background
Before joining the NIH, Rivera Rentas held several academic and research positions. He served as an Associate Professor and Director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research at Ana G. Méndez University System from 2004 to 2006. He was also the Dean of the School of Environmental Affairs at Universidad Ana G. Méndez from 2001 to 2004. His early career included roles as a Research Associate at the University of Puerto Rico and as an Assistant Vice President for Science and Research at Universidad Ana G. Méndez.
Achievements
Rivera Rentas has managed a portfolio that includes the NIH Director’s New Innovator Awards (DP2), highlighting his role in fostering innovative research. He has extensive experience in developing and managing international research collaborations and student exchange programs. Additionally, he has served as an expert reviewer for multiple organizations, including the USDA, NIH, and EPA, contributing to various scientific evaluations and initiatives.
Professional Affiliations
Alberto Rivera Rentas is a member of the Science Advisory Board at the National Center of Toxicological Research (NCTR) under the FDA, US Department of Health and Human Services. He also participates in the NIH Early Stage Investigator (ESI) Extension Committee, reflecting his involvement in shaping policies and programs that support early-career researchers.