Assistant Professor 
Ph.D.,2023, Universidad Central del Caribe
ORCID ID# 0000-0002-5782-6490
Academic Department(s)
Microbiology and Immunology
Research Area
Polysaccharide peptide (PSP), HIV-1, Immunology, Virology, Adaptive and Innate Immune Systems, Oncology, Glioblastoma, Chemotherapeutic Agents, Cell Survival and Proliferation, Cellular and Molecular Biology, ERI.
Research Interest
Dr. Alvarez’s research centers on the antiviral, immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects of natural compounds particularly Polysaccharide peptide (PSP). His early work demonstrated that PSP form Coriolus versicolor restricts HIV-1 entry in innate immune cells and significantly impedes infection. His laboratory is currently extending these findings to investigate how PSP modulates adaptive immune responses in T cells, aiming to uncover potential therapeutic strategies to target HIV-1 infection.
In addition, Dr. Alvarez Rivera is investigating ERI-based compounds as immune boosters in the adaptive immune immunity with the implication to understand how ERI influences adaptive immune signaling in T-cells.
Dr. Alvarez Rivera also leads a project evaluating the anticancer potential of PSP and ERI in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) in a time- and dose- dependent manner in comparison to current on-going chemotherapeutic treatments. His team uses highly malignant glioblastoma cell lines to investigate whether these compounds can induce cell death and suppress tumor proliferation for novel integrative treatments in neuro-oncology.
Current Projects
- PSP-mediated HIV-1 restriction in adaptive immune cells
- ERI-driven enhancement of T-cell immunity
- PSP and ERI cytotoxicity in high malignant glioblastoma models
Availability for Students
Yes
Publications
Publications NCBI Link
Contact Information
Universidad Central del Caribe
P.O. Box 60327
Bayamón, PR 00960-6032
Tel.: (787) 798-3001 x2090
e-mail: eduardo.alvarez@uccaribe.edu