Translating environmental exposures into equitable respiratory health.
I lead an integrated ecosystem of research, mentoring, science communication, and research technology that connects airborne environmental exposures, immune bioactivity, biomarker discovery, computational modeling, and community-facing translation to improve respiratory health in Puerto Rico, South Florida, and underserved communities.
Four connected ways I work
Each pillar feeds the next: exposures generate data, data informs biomarkers, mentees drive the studies, and translation returns knowledge to communities.
Research
Environmental immunology, airborne exposures, fungal spores, indoor dust, respiratory risk, and immune bioactivity.
Specializations →Data Science & Computational Approaches
Machine learning, lag models, mixed-effects modeling, mediation, biomarker discovery, reproducible workflows.
Data science →Mentorship
Inclusive STEM mentoring, student-powered research, graduate training, and scientific identity development.
Mentoring & teaching →Translation & Communication
RIPLRT Institute, Vistazo A La Ciencia, public health messaging, and bilingual science communication.
Initiatives →Exposures are unevenly distributed. Their effects shouldn't go unnoticed.
Environmental exposures are unevenly distributed, and their health effects often go unnoticed until communities experience respiratory symptoms, inflammation, or disease exacerbations. My work addresses this challenge by integrating exposure science, immunology, microbiology, biomarker discovery, and computational data science to identify when and how biological and non-biological pollutants influence respiratory and immune health.
Through the RIPLRT Institute and collaborative research partnerships, my team studies indoor dust after hurricanes, fungal spores, airway microbiomes/mycobiomes, immune biomarkers, and population-level datasets to forecast short-term risk windows and support prevention. This work is especially focused on Puerto Rico, South Florida, and communities disproportionately affected by environmental and climate-related stressors. Across all projects, mentees are embedded from concept development to dissemination, building a diverse scientific workforce prepared to translate data into equitable health impact.
More about me →- 1ExposureAirborne biological & non-biological pollutants, climate-related hazards
- 2Immune bioactivityInflammatory responses measured in cells, airways, and populations
- 3Biomarker discoverySignals that mark risk before symptoms escalate
- 4Computational modelingLag models, machine learning, and mixed-effects to forecast risk windows
- 5Community translationBilingual messaging and prevention with the people affected
Three ventures, one mission
Academic research, public science, and an independent technology practice — clearly separated, mutually reinforcing.
RIPLRT Institute
Collaborative, mentee-driven studies that advance environmental, respiratory, and immunological health.
riplrt.com ↗
Vistazo A La Ciencia
Translating science into accessible bilingual public dialogue that fosters leadership among minority groups.
vistazoalaciencia.com ↗
FERMLLC Ventures
The product and technology portfolio of Félix E. Rivera-Mariani, PhD LLC, where science and technology become systems people actually use — spanning FERMLLC Technologies, Consulting, and Analytics. A private venture that operates independently of my academic appointment.
fermllcventures.com ↗Recent news & blogs
1) Named a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
We are glad the AAAAI recognizes our work, including the intersection of exposures to airborne biological (e.g., airborne allergens in outdoor and indoor environments) and non-biological pollutants, as well as climate-related hazards. Read more here.
2) Selected for the GeoCAFE scholar cohort
I'm honored to be selected for the GeoCAFE scholar cohort — a dynamic network of changemakers working at the intersection of climate, community, and health.
"The idea behind GeoCAFE is simple: climate is affecting human health in serious ways, but too often, experts in geosciences and health work in separate spaces. GeoCAFE aims to bridge that gap, creating opportunities for collaboration between those who study environmental factors and those who address the health challenges they cause." (source)
Why Every Newborn Needs the Hepatitis B Vaccine: Countering the Selective Screening Myth
Discover why universal hepatitis B vaccination at birth is critical for all infants, even those born to screened-negative mothers. Learn about screening limitations, horizontal transmission risks, and why the 90% infant chronicity rate makes this vaccine essential for preventing lifelong infection and liver cancer.
Read the blog →ClickUp for Scientists: Running Labs, Mentoring, and Grants Without Burning Out
I wear a few hats: scientist, mentor, educator, and community builder. That means parallel timelines — IRB and pilot studies, student milestones, manuscripts, travel, seminars — moving at once. ClickUp is the "project brain" where I see it all in one place, from multi-site environmental health and biomarker discovery projects to student capstones and journal club prep.
Read the blog →Contact us for collaborations or consultations.
Open to research partnerships, consulting on exposure–health analytics and reproducible workflows, speaking invitations, and mentoring inquiries.