Dr. Kevin M. Alicea-Torres is an assistant professor at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Humacao, where he leads the Advancing Cancer Immunology and Inclusive Science Communication Research Lab. He earned his B.S. in microbiology from UPR Humacao and completed his Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology at the University of Pennsylvania, specializing in cancer immunology research at The Wistar Institute. With over twelve years of expertise in cancer immunology, Dr. Alicea-Torres is dedicated to advancing the field. His research focuses on innovative therapeutic approaches to target immune-suppressive myeloid cells in cancer, with the overarching goal of designing strategies for therapeutic targeting and developing effective immunotherapy tailored for Hispanic cancer patients.
Beyond the laboratory, Dr. Alicea-Torres served as the director of education and associate director of programs funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), respectively. Currently, he serves as Director of Inclusive Science Communication and Community Engagement of the Center for Inclusive Teaching & Learning at UPR Humacao. He is a Leadership Alliance Doctoral Scholar and an alumnus of the Linton-Poodry SACNAS Leadership Institute. Recognized for his outstanding leadership within the academic community, Dr. Alicea-Torres received prestigious accolades such as Penn’s President & Provost Graduate Student Leadership Award and the 2022 TRIO Achiever Award, reflecting his significant contributions to both academia and the broader scientific community.
In 2016, he co-founded Caminos en Ciencia, a science communication platform. Through in-person interviews with Latin American scientists globally, he delves into their career journeys, challenges, and triumphs, contributing to science and society. Recognized for his commitment to bridging science and the public, Dr. Alicea-Torres received the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Mass Media Fellowship in 2020. As the first fellow sponsored to write for El Nuevo Día Newspaper in Puerto Rico, he furthered his impact in science communication. Actively engaged in science outreach, retention, and recruitment, Dr. Alicea-Torres is committed to fostering inclusivity and scientific knowledge dissemination, shaping the next generation of scientists, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
