The team that makes our museum possible
Committed to History
Our Dedication to Preserve and Share Puerto Rico’s History
Our board of directors and collaborators work tirelessly to make the museum a space that shares knowledge and fosters appreciation for Puerto Rico’s rich and extensive history.
Become a Volunteer Today!
Join the museum’s team and contribute to the well-being of our archipelago, our communities, and the legacy of natural history in Puerto Rico!
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Assist in setting up exhibits.
Participate in collecting and handling samples.
Organize materials in the museum library.
Support the implementation of guided tours.
Contribute your academic expertise to the museum's programming.
Assist in developing community events.
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Development of transferable skills and experiences
Opportunities to build professional networks
Possibility of obtaining a letter of recommendation
Recognition on MHNPR Volunteer Day
There will be snacks available!
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Must be at least 18 years old.
Coordinate the volunteering experience with museum staff.
Be available and committed to volunteering for a minimum of one hour per week.
Have your own transportation to get to the museum and its activities.
Board of Directors & Collaborators
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Maribel Ramirez
Business Entrepreneur
President & Founder, Natural History and Conservation Museum of Puerto Rico.
She is the visionary founder of Puerto Rico’s first Natural History and Conservation Museum, dedicated to uniting education, sustainability, and cultural identity to inspire future generations.
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Dr. Jorge Vélez Juarbe
Paleontologist
Vice President & Co-Founder, Natural History and Conservation Museum of Puerto Rico
Associate Curator of Marine Mammals at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, is a Puerto Rican paleontologist whose research has led to over 30 new species discoveries and 50 scientific publications.
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Dr. Michael González Cruz
Sociologist
Secretary, Natural History and Conservation Museum of Puerto Rico
A sociologist and professor at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, he holds a Ph.D. from Binghamton University and focuses his research on the relationships between environment, society, and culture in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
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Dr. Hernán Santos
Geologist
Facilitator / Collaborator & Co-Founder, Natural History and Conservation Museum of Puerto Rico
An associate dean and geology professor at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, he researches paleontology and Caribbean geology, focusing on Cretaceous to Miocene biostratigraphy and Puerto Rico’s fossil record.
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Emilia Quiñones-Otal, PhD
Associate Professor
Museum Advisory
An associate professor and director of the Humanities Department at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, with a Ph.D. in Art History and over 16 years of experience curating contemporary art and contributing to international publications.
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José M. Pérez Irizarry
Geologist
Scientific Coordinator and Administrator
Majored in Geology from the University of Puerto Rico – Mayaguez Campus and completed post-baccalaureate degree from East Carolina University focusing on air/soil quality affecting impacted communities and hydrogeology and storm water management in drainage basins.
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Frank Suárez Román
Botanist/Educator
Coordinator of Educational Activities
He is a botanist and educator from Aguadilla with two master's degrees from Purdue University and the University of Michigan. He seeks to collaborate with our communities and visitors to co-create locally based educational experiences and thus contribute together to the natural history of Puerto Rico.
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Eduardo J. Cruz
Collaborator
A Geologist working on his master degree on fethered dinasaurs in China, he has participated in paleontological expeditions across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, contributed to research on Mesozoic birds and Caribbean paleofauna, and collaborates with the Field Museum of Chicago and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
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Zorali De Feria Alvarez
Museum Executive professional and academic experienced directing museum. She has a Phd in Business Adminstration and a Master in Museology.