Fernando Rivera

Fernando I. Rivera, PhD, is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Central Florida's College of Sciences. His research focuses on medical sociology, disaster resilience, and race/ethnicity dynamics. He leads interdisciplinary studies on Puerto Rican health disparities, disaster preparedness, and community integration. Rivera's NSF-funded work examines disaster resiliency and rural community recovery, emphasizing social and economic indicators. His research spans health equity, environmental justice, and institutional responses to crises such as Hurricane Maria and the pandemic.

• University Affiliation: University of Central Florida
• School: College of Sciences
• Department: Sociology

Key research areas include the sociocultural determinants of health among Latino populations, disaster vulnerability, and the role of social capital in recovery. His work bridges sociology with public health, environmental science, and policy analysis. Rivera has published extensively on topics ranging from hurricane impact assessments to acculturation stress in youth.

His recent articles analyze compounding disasters in Puerto Rico, climate migration patterns, and institutional responses to crises. Rivera collaborates with policymakers to translate research into actionable strategies for resilient communities.