Mel Ortiz-Alvarez
@moadlc.bsky.social
Neuro-microbiome Scientist🦠🧠, Science Writer for @microbites.bsky.social ✍️& Artist 🎨
PhD candidate & #NSFGRFP fellow at #BrownUniversity
Portfolio: www.microbephd.com
Co-Founder of CienciaPaTodes.org
#CienciaPR 🇵🇷 #BlackinMicro #InclusiveSciComm
PhD candidate & #NSFGRFP fellow at #BrownUniversity
Portfolio: www.microbephd.com
Co-Founder of CienciaPaTodes.org
#CienciaPR 🇵🇷 #BlackinMicro #InclusiveSciComm
There's perks to going straight to a PhD, like becoming a doctor at 27 😎 This also means I've spent almost my entire 20s in school. But, it's been a wild ride! Countdown begins...! #gradschool #stem #phd #diml #phdlife #academicsky #boricua #phdcandidate #microbephd
October 23, 2025 at 3:30 PM
There's perks to going straight to a PhD, like becoming a doctor at 27 😎 This also means I've spent almost my entire 20s in school. But, it's been a wild ride! Countdown begins...! #gradschool #stem #phd #diml #phdlife #academicsky #boricua #phdcandidate #microbephd
My mentee just published his first peer-reviewed article as a high school senior!🦠🔬 🎊
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
September 16, 2025 at 2:37 PM
My mentee just published his first peer-reviewed article as a high school senior!🦠🔬 🎊
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
It's been a privilege to see how much he grew as a research over 9 months.
Read it here:
ajosr.org/papers/volum...
¡Seguimos! 👏🏾🇵🇷
#teaching #mentoring #research #gradschool #scicomm #sciencewriting #academicsky
I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
July 16, 2025 at 12:43 AM
I just taught high schoolers in a course I designed!
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
We discussed misinformation & transforming science into accessible media + guest lectures from #GeoLchat & #CienciaPaTodes
In 4 days, they made comics, infographics, blogs, videos & websites! ¡Seguimos! 🔥👏🏾🇵🇷 #scicomm #stem #teaching #gradschool
Full circle. Last night, I talked about my PhD journey with #LeadershipAlliance students at #BrownU!
7 years ago, I was exactly where they are now. I'm happy to give back to the program that introduced me to #microbiology & my PhD advisor. 🙏💐🦠
#outreach #stem #scicomm #gradschool
7 years ago, I was exactly where they are now. I'm happy to give back to the program that introduced me to #microbiology & my PhD advisor. 🙏💐🦠
#outreach #stem #scicomm #gradschool
June 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Full circle. Last night, I talked about my PhD journey with #LeadershipAlliance students at #BrownU!
7 years ago, I was exactly where they are now. I'm happy to give back to the program that introduced me to #microbiology & my PhD advisor. 🙏💐🦠
#outreach #stem #scicomm #gradschool
7 years ago, I was exactly where they are now. I'm happy to give back to the program that introduced me to #microbiology & my PhD advisor. 🙏💐🦠
#outreach #stem #scicomm #gradschool
I had a wonderful time helping to organize this year's @samuelnabritcon.bsky.social at #BrownU! We heard many great talks, had 39 posters and lively discussions about community and mentorship. I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful #scicomm event! 🙏👏🏾 #smnc2025
June 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I had a wonderful time helping to organize this year's @samuelnabritcon.bsky.social at #BrownU! We heard many great talks, had 39 posters and lively discussions about community and mentorship. I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate in this wonderful #scicomm event! 🙏👏🏾 #smnc2025
I promise that there are useful things that come from it!! #LinkedIn #linkedintips #PhD #phdcandidate #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #scicomm #sciencetok #stemtok #jobsearch #career #careeradvice
May 23, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I promise that there are useful things that come from it!! #LinkedIn #linkedintips #PhD #phdcandidate #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #scicomm #sciencetok #stemtok #jobsearch #career #careeradvice
I can't wait to teach my first class this summer!! 🥺❤️ #summeratbrown #precollege #brown #brownprecollege #stem #scicomm #sciencecommunication #teaching #class #professor #summercourse #microbephd #PhD #phdstudent #phdcandidate #academia #gradstudent #gradschool
May 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I can't wait to teach my first class this summer!! 🥺❤️ #summeratbrown #precollege #brown #brownprecollege #stem #scicomm #sciencecommunication #teaching #class #professor #summercourse #microbephd #PhD #phdstudent #phdcandidate #academia #gradstudent #gradschool
The 2024 Calendar was too cute to get rid of!! Wonder if they have any for 2025? 🥺 #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #fisher #fisherscientific #biotech #Calendar #gallerywall #decor
May 19, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The 2024 Calendar was too cute to get rid of!! Wonder if they have any for 2025? 🥺 #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #fisher #fisherscientific #biotech #Calendar #gallerywall #decor
#GradStudentTravel Day 6: My thoughts on Poland 🇵🇱 #Poland #warsaw #vistula #phd #phdcandidate #phdlife #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #conference #stem #science #conferencetravel #warsawa #polish #microbephd
May 2, 2025 at 11:57 AM
#GradStudentTravel Day 6: My thoughts on Poland 🇵🇱 #Poland #warsaw #vistula #phd #phdcandidate #phdlife #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #conference #stem #science #conferencetravel #warsawa #polish #microbephd
#GradStudentTravel Day 5: Royal Castle Warsaw. The music is Chopin too!! #warsaw #tourism #eurosummer #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #microbephd #phd #warsawa #royalcastle #chopin
May 1, 2025 at 12:59 PM
#GradStudentTravel Day 5: Royal Castle Warsaw. The music is Chopin too!! #warsaw #tourism #eurosummer #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #gradstudentlife #microbephd #phd #warsawa #royalcastle #chopin
#GradStudentTravel Day 4: Old Town #phd #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #stem #research #conference #conferencetravel #microbephd #warsaw #tourism #eurosummer #oldtownwarsaw
April 30, 2025 at 11:53 AM
#GradStudentTravel Day 4: Old Town #phd #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #stem #research #conference #conferencetravel #microbephd #warsaw #tourism #eurosummer #oldtownwarsaw
Excited to host Dr. Gertrude Nonterah at #BrownU for a SACNAS seminar!
Open to all BrownU grads, postdocs, faculty, & staff!
Date: May 8th, 2025
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: To be sent to RSVPs
RSVP: tinyurl.com/BoldPhD
For additional questions or doubts: sacnas@brown.edu
#scicomm #academicsky
Open to all BrownU grads, postdocs, faculty, & staff!
Date: May 8th, 2025
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: To be sent to RSVPs
RSVP: tinyurl.com/BoldPhD
For additional questions or doubts: sacnas@brown.edu
#scicomm #academicsky
April 27, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Excited to host Dr. Gertrude Nonterah at #BrownU for a SACNAS seminar!
Open to all BrownU grads, postdocs, faculty, & staff!
Date: May 8th, 2025
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: To be sent to RSVPs
RSVP: tinyurl.com/BoldPhD
For additional questions or doubts: sacnas@brown.edu
#scicomm #academicsky
Open to all BrownU grads, postdocs, faculty, & staff!
Date: May 8th, 2025
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Location: To be sent to RSVPs
RSVP: tinyurl.com/BoldPhD
For additional questions or doubts: sacnas@brown.edu
#scicomm #academicsky
This year, I was #STEMPenPals with a 5th grader that had NO interest in science.
But in his last letter, he told me how much he loved the experiments he was now doing in science class🔬
Now another 🇵🇷 boy knows science is an option for him!! Knowledge is power ✊🏾🔥
Thank you #LPS!!
#scicomm
But in his last letter, he told me how much he loved the experiments he was now doing in science class🔬
Now another 🇵🇷 boy knows science is an option for him!! Knowledge is power ✊🏾🔥
Thank you #LPS!!
#scicomm
April 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
This year, I was #STEMPenPals with a 5th grader that had NO interest in science.
But in his last letter, he told me how much he loved the experiments he was now doing in science class🔬
Now another 🇵🇷 boy knows science is an option for him!! Knowledge is power ✊🏾🔥
Thank you #LPS!!
#scicomm
But in his last letter, he told me how much he loved the experiments he was now doing in science class🔬
Now another 🇵🇷 boy knows science is an option for him!! Knowledge is power ✊🏾🔥
Thank you #LPS!!
#scicomm
#GradStudentTravel is back!! #PhD #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #microbiome #conference #conferencetravel #warsaw #Poland #warsawa #palaceofcultureandscience #sightseeing #marriedlife
April 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
#GradStudentTravel is back!! #PhD #phdstudent #phdcandidate #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science #research #stem #microbiome #conference #conferencetravel #warsaw #Poland #warsawa #palaceofcultureandscience #sightseeing #marriedlife
Go follow them for more info! 🥰🔥🔬 RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrn3A9kVLuPP-BOsR60KzCnpzzaaeEjclMbtuGOiyX_5QWEQ/viewform #scicomm #scicommworkshop #sciencecommunication #workshop #zoom #microbephd #phd #phdcandidate #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science
April 24, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Go follow them for more info! 🥰🔥🔬 RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrn3A9kVLuPP-BOsR60KzCnpzzaaeEjclMbtuGOiyX_5QWEQ/viewform #scicomm #scicommworkshop #sciencecommunication #workshop #zoom #microbephd #phd #phdcandidate #phdstudent #gradschool #gradstudent #academia #science
I was invited to give a presentation about my thesis at the 1st Advancements of Microbiology conference in Warsaw, Poland! 🇵🇱🦠
I'm so grateful for these wonderful opportunities to represent Puerto Rico abroad ❤️🇵🇷🥺 Can't wait to see what comes next. 👏🏾🔥
#microsky #advmicro25 #scicomm #microbephd
I'm so grateful for these wonderful opportunities to represent Puerto Rico abroad ❤️🇵🇷🥺 Can't wait to see what comes next. 👏🏾🔥
#microsky #advmicro25 #scicomm #microbephd
April 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I was invited to give a presentation about my thesis at the 1st Advancements of Microbiology conference in Warsaw, Poland! 🇵🇱🦠
I'm so grateful for these wonderful opportunities to represent Puerto Rico abroad ❤️🇵🇷🥺 Can't wait to see what comes next. 👏🏾🔥
#microsky #advmicro25 #scicomm #microbephd
I'm so grateful for these wonderful opportunities to represent Puerto Rico abroad ❤️🇵🇷🥺 Can't wait to see what comes next. 👏🏾🔥
#microsky #advmicro25 #scicomm #microbephd
I illustrated this feature of Dr. Zach Labe's story. He was recently fired from #NOAA because of the #EOs. This is the life-saving science being destroyed.
More stories at: silencedsciencestories.com
#scicomm #sciart #theycantfirescience #silencedsciencestories #academicsky #zachlabe
More stories at: silencedsciencestories.com
#scicomm #sciart #theycantfirescience #silencedsciencestories #academicsky #zachlabe
March 16, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I illustrated this feature of Dr. Zach Labe's story. He was recently fired from #NOAA because of the #EOs. This is the life-saving science being destroyed.
More stories at: silencedsciencestories.com
#scicomm #sciart #theycantfirescience #silencedsciencestories #academicsky #zachlabe
More stories at: silencedsciencestories.com
#scicomm #sciart #theycantfirescience #silencedsciencestories #academicsky #zachlabe
I'm teaching a #scicomm course for #Summer@Brown 2025
If you're a high school student interested in taking college-level courses, then you should check this out. There are 230+ classes, including mine 😊🔬📚🇵🇷 #teaching #AcademicSky #brownu
Learn more: catalog.precollege.brown.edu/detail/CEMS0...
If you're a high school student interested in taking college-level courses, then you should check this out. There are 230+ classes, including mine 😊🔬📚🇵🇷 #teaching #AcademicSky #brownu
Learn more: catalog.precollege.brown.edu/detail/CEMS0...
March 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
I'm teaching a #scicomm course for #Summer@Brown 2025
If you're a high school student interested in taking college-level courses, then you should check this out. There are 230+ classes, including mine 😊🔬📚🇵🇷 #teaching #AcademicSky #brownu
Learn more: catalog.precollege.brown.edu/detail/CEMS0...
If you're a high school student interested in taking college-level courses, then you should check this out. There are 230+ classes, including mine 😊🔬📚🇵🇷 #teaching #AcademicSky #brownu
Learn more: catalog.precollege.brown.edu/detail/CEMS0...
It's #ReadersDigestion Friday! My new Substack series where I share book/podcast reviews twice a month 🥰✨️❤️📚
Follow my stack for more! open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#booksky #stem #scicomm #BookReviews
Follow my stack for more! open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#booksky #stem #scicomm #BookReviews
February 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
It's #ReadersDigestion Friday! My new Substack series where I share book/podcast reviews twice a month 🥰✨️❤️📚
Follow my stack for more! open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#booksky #stem #scicomm #BookReviews
Follow my stack for more! open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#booksky #stem #scicomm #BookReviews
¡Estoy muy emocionade de compartir esta charla para Científicos al Servicio en Línea! 🌍📡🦠✨
¡No se la pierdan!
#OrgulloUPR #Microbioma #CienciaPaTodes #Neurociencia #SaludMental #Investigación #STEM #CienciaBoricua #CientíficosAlServicio #CienciaPR #microsky #academicsky #scicomm
¡No se la pierdan!
#OrgulloUPR #Microbioma #CienciaPaTodes #Neurociencia #SaludMental #Investigación #STEM #CienciaBoricua #CientíficosAlServicio #CienciaPR #microsky #academicsky #scicomm
February 26, 2025 at 2:45 PM
¡Estoy muy emocionade de compartir esta charla para Científicos al Servicio en Línea! 🌍📡🦠✨
¡No se la pierdan!
#OrgulloUPR #Microbioma #CienciaPaTodes #Neurociencia #SaludMental #Investigación #STEM #CienciaBoricua #CientíficosAlServicio #CienciaPR #microsky #academicsky #scicomm
¡No se la pierdan!
#OrgulloUPR #Microbioma #CienciaPaTodes #Neurociencia #SaludMental #Investigación #STEM #CienciaBoricua #CientíficosAlServicio #CienciaPR #microsky #academicsky #scicomm
First post on Substack is officially out!✍️
If you are interested in getting book reviews to your inbox 📥 then subscribe for free! 😊
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#book #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #scicomm #booksky
If you are interested in getting book reviews to your inbox 📥 then subscribe for free! 😊
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#book #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #scicomm #booksky
February 25, 2025 at 2:50 PM
First post on Substack is officially out!✍️
If you are interested in getting book reviews to your inbox 📥 then subscribe for free! 😊
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#book #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #scicomm #booksky
If you are interested in getting book reviews to your inbox 📥 then subscribe for free! 😊
open.substack.com/pub/microbep...
#book #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #scicomm #booksky
The @ucsusa.bsky.social is hosting a great webinar tomorrow that all scientists should attend!
Register here: secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-02-26...
#Microsky #academicsky #phd #gradschool #stem #science #unionofconcernedscientists
Register here: secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-02-26...
#Microsky #academicsky #phd #gradschool #stem #science #unionofconcernedscientists
February 25, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The @ucsusa.bsky.social is hosting a great webinar tomorrow that all scientists should attend!
Register here: secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-02-26...
#Microsky #academicsky #phd #gradschool #stem #science #unionofconcernedscientists
Register here: secure.ucsusa.org/a/2025-02-26...
#Microsky #academicsky #phd #gradschool #stem #science #unionofconcernedscientists
Healthcare and similar fields continue to be restricted in their ability to participate in #DEI and #genderaffirmingcare
Feeling seen is feeling safer in an already nerve-wracking environment. Removing this will cause irreparable harm to the Dr.-patient relationship
doi.org/10.7326/G22-...
Feeling seen is feeling safer in an already nerve-wracking environment. Removing this will cause irreparable harm to the Dr.-patient relationship
doi.org/10.7326/G22-...
February 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Healthcare and similar fields continue to be restricted in their ability to participate in #DEI and #genderaffirmingcare
Feeling seen is feeling safer in an already nerve-wracking environment. Removing this will cause irreparable harm to the Dr.-patient relationship
doi.org/10.7326/G22-...
Feeling seen is feeling safer in an already nerve-wracking environment. Removing this will cause irreparable harm to the Dr.-patient relationship
doi.org/10.7326/G22-...
Today is our 8 year anniversary! ❤️ 💕 It seems like yesterday that we both walked into that Biology exam 2 hours early. How different our lives would be if we weren't both incredibly nervous college freshmen 🤣 Here's to many, many more years together ❤️ Te amo 😘 #HappyValentinesDay #valentine
February 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Today is our 8 year anniversary! ❤️ 💕 It seems like yesterday that we both walked into that Biology exam 2 hours early. How different our lives would be if we weren't both incredibly nervous college freshmen 🤣 Here's to many, many more years together ❤️ Te amo 😘 #HappyValentinesDay #valentine