Adriana Piñero Torres, Research Assistant

Researcher, policy analyst, and advocate specializing in participatory action research (PAR), public policy, and sustainability. Currently in her fourth year at the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, she has worked with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and served as a Public Policy Advisor in a U.S. Congressional campaign.

As President of the General Student Council, she has led initiatives to strengthen student representation, academic advocacy, and institutional accountability, ensuring student voices are prioritized in decision-making processes. Selected for the Fundación Botín Public Service Program at Madrid, Spain, and the University of los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, she has gained extensive training in governance and institutional leadership.

She has conducted NSF-funded research focused on community-driven solutions in Puerto Rico, using participatory action research to address local challenges. She is also leading a research project in collaboration with local governments and organizations to enhance policies and infrastructure. Her work integrates policy innovation and community engagement.