Dr. Yelitza A.R. Rodriguez

Yelitza Rodriguez, PhD, is a passionate scientist originally from Puerto Rico. She’s really curious, resilient, and wants to make science more fair. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, where she first became involved in basic research in the field of neuroscience, specifically studying how sex steroids and glucocorticoids influence addictive behaviors.

Her scientific adventure took her to Mobile, Alabama, where she sharpened her skills as a research tech, studying mitochondrial DNA maintenance and repair. These early experiences fueled her passion for discovery and led her to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of South Alabama, focusing on Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) signaling in cancer and tumor blood vessel growth.

Wanting to connect science to real patient outcomes, Yelitza shifted into clinical research, working closely with underrepresented communities dealing with mild cognitive impairment. That’s when she found her real calling in Alzheimer’s research. Today, she’s part of Dr. Amy Nelson’s team, looking at how blood-brain barrier problems contribute to Alzheimer’s and hunting for new ways to fight neurodegeneration and new therapeutic targets.

Outside work, Yelitza loves reading fantasy novels, dancing, and hanging out with family and friends. She’s also super passionate about mentoring and helping more people get involved in science in the future. She's also passionate about advocating for greater representation in science, particularly for students from underrepresented communities like hers.