Our Collaborators
Benjamín Bolaños-Rosero, PhD
Dr. Benjamin Bolaños-Rosero is a leading mycologist and aerobiologist whose distinguished career has significantly advanced respiratory health and aeroallergen research in tropical regions. He is a tenured associate professor at the Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology at the University of Puerto Rico – Medical Sciences Campus, where he directs the only National Allergy Bureau-accredited aeroallergen stations (in San Juan and Caguas municipalities) in the Caribbean for monitoring daily concentrations of pollen and fungal spores. Dr. Bolaños’s pioneering work established new diagnostic approaches for fungal allergies, including novel assays and the purification of Ganoderma applanatum extracts to improve immunodiagnostics and patient care. His research has shaped the understanding of environmental triggers of asthma and allergies in Puerto Rico and continues to influence tropical medicine and public health. Click here to learn more about Dr. Bolaños-Rosero.
Filipa Godoy-Vitorino, PhD
Dr. Filipa Godoy Vitorino is a distinguished microbial ecologist whose scholarly trajectory and pioneering spirit have profoundly shaped the understanding and advancement of microbiome science in the Caribbean and beyond. She is a tenured professor and chair of the Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology of the School of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus. She is also the Principal Investigator of the UPR Microbiome Lab, a hub committed to translating complex microbial ecology into tangible benefits for human health and ecosystem sustainability. Her drive was instrumental in establishing the Caribbean Microbiome Center, which stands as a central node for regional research collaboration, capacity building, and high-impact mentorship in the emerging field of microbiome sciences. Click here to learn more about Dr. Godoy-Vitorino.
Humnberto Cavallín-Calanche, PhD
Dr. Humberto Cavallín Calanche is a multidisciplinary architect and design theorist whose work bridges architecture, environmental psychology, and microbiome science to pioneer new approaches to built environment research and education. As a tenured professor at the University of Puerto Rico’s School of Architecture and Director of the Center for Design Research, he integrates social factors, design methods, and microbial ecology to examine how human activity and catastrophic events, such as Hurricane Maria, shape indoor environments and their microbial landscapes. Dr. Cavallín is renowned for developing interdisciplinary curricula that connect architecture and engineering, equipping undergraduate students with critical thinking skills for addressing complex socio-environmental challenges in extreme conditions. His research is internationally recognized for advancing our understanding of the microbiome of the built environment and promoting collaborative, resilience-focused solutions for sustainable infrastructure and public health. Click here to learn more about Dr. Cavallín-Calanche.
Kim Rowland, PhD
Dr. Kimberly Rowland is an Associate Professor in Arts and Sciences at Lynn University, specializing in developmental neurobiology with a focus on genetic and behavioral studies using Drosophila (fruit fly) as a model organism. She earned both her B.S. and Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University, where her doctoral research elucidated the roles of growth genes in central nervous system development in fruit flies. Following her Ph.D., Dr. Rowland completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Miami, where she investigated mechanisms of neurodegeneration in larval fruit flies. Passionate about teaching, she incorporates question-based research and interdisciplinary connections into her pedagogy to foster student enthusiasm for science. Dr. Rowland actively continues her research collaborations while contributing her extensive laboratory experience to Lynn University’s science department. Click here to learn more about Dr. Rowland and view her scholarly activity here.
Jon Sperry, Ph.D., Ed.S., LMHC, LCSW, NCC
Dr. Jon Sperry is a Professor at Lynn University and a licensed, board-certified mental health counselor with extensive expertise in Adlerian psychology. As a Diplomate of the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology and past president of the society, he brings a deep commitment to individual psychology and mental health counseling. Dr. Sperry is a qualified supervisor for social work, mental health, and marriage and family therapy interns in Florida and serves as co-editor of the Journal of Individual Psychology. His clinical and academic work integrates evidence-based practices to support mental wellness and professional development. Learn more about Dr. Sperry here and at his professional site here.