San Juan, Puerto Rico – September 10, 2025: From September 27 to October 3, 2025, a group of six talented Puerto Rican students will travel to Abu Dhabi to represent Puerto Rico at the MILSET International Expo-Sciences, one of the most important global events bringing together students with innovative projects in science, technology, and innovation.

The students will present proposals in the areas of Medicine and Health and Energy, showcasing the potential and commitment of Puerto Rican youth to research and to finding solutions to global challenges.

This group’s participation was made possible thanks to their outstanding performance at the Foro Internacional Ciencia en Puerto Rico (FICEP), an annual event organized by the nonprofit Jóvenes Científicos por Puerto Rico, which promotes young scientific talent and provides opportunities to showcase projects in international settings. This year, the Forum was held in collaboration with Ciencia Puerto Rico and with the support of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, granting accreditations to international fairs in seven countries.

The students representing Puerto Rico in Abu Dhabi are:

• Amanda Mirelis Reyes Nieves – Centro Residencial de Oportunidades Educativas de Mayagüez (CROEM). Project: New variants of a protein that could help prevent diseases

• Samuel Clemente Ralph Vélez – Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola. Project: Hard carbon: a promising option for storing sodium-ion energy

• Aliris Fontánez Santos – University Gardens High School Specialized in Science and Mathematics. Project: Deciphering how neurons regenerate in the sea cucumber

• Paola Sofía Valcárcel Ares – University Gardens High School Specialized in Science and Mathematics. Project: The effect of the noni plant on cancer

• José Julián Rodríguez Muñoz – Escuela Especializada Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. Project: A solar chip that automatically converts energy

• Yariel A. Vega Santos – Escuela Especializada Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. Project: The influence of sports institutions on male self-esteem

Student Paola Valcárcel Ares, who will also travel to Abu Dhabi, presenting her project at FICEP

“This achievement is a testament to the commitment, effort, and talent of our youth, as well as the impact of programs that foster scientific research from an early age,” stated the organization Jóvenes Científicos por Puerto Rico.

The MILSET International Expo-Sciences will bring together hundreds of students from different countries, providing a unique space for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of a global scientific culture.