The Institute of Neurobiology family mourns the passing of Dr. Alberto Rivera Rentas

September 1, 2026. The Institute of Neurobiology family mourns the passing of Dr. Alberto Rivera Rentas. Dr. Rivera Rentas received his Ph.D. from the University of Puerto Rico in 1996. Under the supervision of Dr. Gladys Escalona at the Institute, his doctoral research examined the effects of neurotoxins on ion channels.

He went on to have a distinguished career at the National Institutes of Health, where he served as a Program Director at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). Dr. Rivera Rentas played an instrumental role in the development and administration of several important NIH programs, including the NIH Director’s New Innovator Award Program, the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research ENDURE Program, and the NIGMS Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD).

Throughout his career, Alberto remained a dedicated advocate for neuroscience research and training in Puerto Rico. He made a lasting impact on the scientific community and will be deeply missed by his colleagues and friends at the Institute of Neurobiology.