Ricardo Rossello

Ricardo Rosselló Nevares is a scientist, politician and entrepreneur. He served as governor of Puerto Rico from 2017-2019. Rosselló holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan. He finished his post-doc research at Duke University in Neuroscience, where he focused on reprogramming stem cells and the vocal learning pathway. His academic career includes significant contributions to stem cell research and regenerative medicine.

Rosselló was elected President of the New Progressive Party in 2016, created to champion statehood for Puerto Rico and enact reforms. After his election as Governor in 2017, he oversaw relief efforts following the devastation of Hurricane Maria and led the country through a severe financial crisis. Rossello led the largest municipal restructuring in the history of the US and had the lowest unemployment rates in the history of Puerto Rico. He reduced the size of government by 20%, and had the first year of economic growth in more than a decade. He built a strong human rights record with significant economic reforms benefiting marginalized citizens, along with increased protections for women and LGBT individuals and couples.

Rossello currently serves as CVO of The Regenerative Medicine Institute, offering cutting-edge research into longevity and cellular aging. He was a tenure-tracked professor at the University of Puerto Rico’s Medical Campus and is currently an adjunct professor at George Mason University, lecturing on reform dynamics and crisis leadership. He also became the first-ever directly nominated public official in Puerto Rico’s history when he was elected to the inaugural class of the Puerto Rico Congressional Delegation.

Rossello is a 4-time Puerto Rico junior tennis champion, and he served as team captain for M.I.T.’s tennis team. He is a member of the Triple 9 Society, Helliq Society, Mensa International, and 4sigma Society. He has published two books: Un Mejor Puerto Rico es Posible in 2012; and The Reformer’s Dilemma and the Need for a Radical Middle,published June 2024, in which he examines his experiences as Governor through a critical lens to explore the challenges to reforms.

Rossello has been married to Beatriz Areizaga Rosello since 2012. The couple have two children, Claudia Beatriz and Pedro Javier.