Exposure science
Linking pollutant sources and concentrations to human behavior, the pollutant–host interaction, and the health outcome that follows — indoors, outdoors, and at work.
Respiratory · Immunology · Exposure Science
Multidisciplinary & Computational Approaches to Advance Equitable Respiratory, Immune, and Environmental Health
The RIPLRT Institute — the Respiratory and Immunology Project and Laboratory Research Team — turns environmental exposure data into predictive, translational, prevention-focused tools that improve respiratory health in Puerto Rico, underserved communities, and beyond. Through inclusive mentoring and science communication, we train the next generation of scientists and bring that science to the communities it serves.
What we do
Exposure, immunity, and computation — studied together
We lead collaborative, multi-cohort studies that combine biospecimens, wearable exposure assessment, molecular profiling, and AI/ML modeling to identify critical environmental risk windows and separate biological from non-biological drivers of respiratory disease.
Human-based immunotoxicology
Human whole-blood and cell-based assays that quantify the inflammatory potential of real-world environmental samples, aligning biomarker profiles with measured exposures.
Computational data science
Reproducible R, Python, and MATLAB pipelines, with code and data shared through GitHub, OSF, FigShare, and Zenodo so that findings can be checked and reused.
Community to Clinic to Cloud
One through-line connects every project
We measure environmental signals in communities, link them to clinical and biomarker outcomes, and convert them into equity-aware decision tools — with mentees embedded at every step.
- Community
Exposure science
- Clinic
Immune & biochemical bioactivity
- Clinic
Biomarker discovery
- Cloud
Computational modeling
- Translation
Equity-focused translation
- Across every step
Inclusive workforce development
Who we are
A mentee-powered research team
At the RIPLRT Institute we prioritize mentoring the next generation of researchers and healthcare professionals. Mentees do not assist the science — they lead it, with structured training in laboratory technique, experimental design, documentation, project and budget management, scientific and grant writing, data science, science communication, peer review, teamwork, leadership, and career planning.
How we work together is written down in the RIPLRT Institute Research Group Manual — our mentoring compact, onboarding guide, authorship policy, and reproducibility standards in one place.
Core values
- Inclusiveness
- Multidisciplinary focus
- Diversity
- Integrity
- Productivity
- Innovation
- Excellence
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Psychological safety
- Reproducibility
- Transparency
- Health equity
- Community responsiveness
- Bilingual science communication
- Responsible AI
Recent news
From the RIPLRT Institute
October 10, 2023
Mentee successfully defends her doctoral thesis
Dr. Lorraine N. Vélez-Torres defended “Indoor Fungal Bioaerosols after Hurricane Maria Related Flooding” on October 6, 2023.
February 27, 2023
Fungal contamination after Hurricane Maria
How the storm reshaped the indoor built environment and indoor fungal contamination in naturally ventilated Caribbean homes.
2025
Aspergillus species identified to species level
Culture and molecular methods applied to homes affected in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, published in Scientific Reports.
Collaborate, mentor, or join a study
We partner with clinicians, community organizations, and academic laboratories across Puerto Rico and the mainland United States. Tell us what you are working on.
Get in touch