2026-2027 HTI Scholars

First Level Scholars:

Maria Carolina Alderete

Drew University

Credentials:

BS, University of Buenos Aires / MAR, Drew University / PhD, Drew University (present) 

Field of Study: 

Religion and Society

Denomination: 

Catholic

Elmer Amaya

Emory University

Credentials:

MDiv, Wake Forest University School of Divinity / PhD, Emory University (present) 

Field of Study: 

Practical Theology

Denomination: 

No Affiliation

Nehemiah Lebrón-Gómez

Princeton Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BE, University of Puerto Rico / MAR Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico / ThM Princeton Theological Seminary / PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study: 

World Christianity

Denomination: 

Pentecostal

Anabella Martinez

Southern Methodist University

Credentials:

BS, University of Texas in Dallas / MDiv, Baylor University / PhD, Southern Methodist University (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Culture

Denomination: 

Catholic

Amy LeiLani Tobey

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Credentials:

AA, Chemeketa Community College / BS, George Fox University / MBA, Marylhurst University / MDiv, Pacific School of Religion / MA, Pacific School of Religion / PhD, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (present) 

Field of Study: 

Pastoral Theology, Personality, and Culture

Denomination: 

United Church of Christ

Armondo Vega Ortiz

Vanderbilt University

Credentials:

BE, University of Puerto Rico / MAR Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico / ThM Candler School of Theology, Emory University / PhD, Vanderbilt University (present)

Field of Study: 

Hebrew Bible & Ancient Isreal

Denomination: 

Disciples of Christ

Second Level Scholars:

Jonathan W. Campoverde

Southern Methodist University

Credentials:

BS, Texas A&M University / ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary / MDiv, Southern Methodist University / PhD, Southern Methodist University (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Culture

Denomination: 

Methodist

Marcos Canales

Fuller Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, Point Loma Nazarene University / MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary / PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study: 

Practical Theology

Denomination: 

Nazarene

Lorenny Diaz

Harvard University

Credentials:

BA, New York University / MTS, Harvard Divinity School / PhD, Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (present) 

Field of Study: 

Practical Theology 

Denomination: 

Christian unaffiliated 

Armindo Ferreira

Baylor University

Credentials:

BA, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil / BM, North Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary / BME, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil / MM, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil / PhD, Baylor University (present)

Field of Study: 

Church Music

Denomination: 

Baptist

James V. Riofrio

Drew University

Credentials:

BA, University of Connecticut / MDiv, Duke Divinity School / ThM, Duke Divinity School / PhD, Drew University (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Society

Denomination: 

Methodist

Eve Marie Schwartz

Emory University, Candler School of Theology

Credentials:

BA, College of The Holy Cross / MDiv, Harvard Divinity School / PhD, Emory University (present)

Field of Study: 

Practical Theology

Denomination: 

Catholic

Third Level Scholars:

Claudia Marcela Alvarez Hurtado

Princeton Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, Universidad Nacional de Colombia / MDiv, Boston University / PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Society

Denomination: 

Methodist

Jeffrey Bamaca

Claremont Graduate University

Credentials:

BA, Vanguard University / MAT, Fuller Theological Seminary / PhD, Claremont Graduate University (Present) 

Field of Study: 

New Testament and Early Christianity

Denomination: 

Non-Denominational

David Javier Bayardo

Oblate School of Theology

Credentials:

BA, Saint Joseph Abbey and Seminary College / MDiv, The University of Saint Thomas / MATS, The University of Saint Thomas / PhD, Oblate School of Theology (present)

Field of Study: 

Christian Spirituality

Denomination: 

Catholic

Colton R. Bernasol

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, Wheaton College / MTS, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary / PhD, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study: 

Theology

Denomination: 

Pentecostal

Fellipe dos Anjos

Drew University

Credentials:

BA, Methodist University of São Paulo, Brazil / MA, Methodist University of São Paulo, Brazil / PhD, Drew University (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Society

Denomination: 

Baptist

Juan Martínez Benavides

Drew University

Credentials:

BArch, Universidad Albert Einstein/ MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary/ Diploma, Carey Theological College/ MA, Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas/ PhD, Drew University (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Society

Denomination: 

Non-Denominational

David Enrique Miranda

Yale University

Credentials:

BA, Villanova University  / MA, University of Notre Dame / MTS, Boston College / PhD, Yale University (present)

Field of Study: 

Theology

Denomination: 

Catholic

Milca Rivera

Baylor University

Credentials:

BA, University of Central Florida / MDiv, Asbury Theological Seminary / PhD, Truett Seminary at Baylor University (present)

Field of Study: 

Preaching

Denomination: 

Disciples of Christ

Breno Nunes de Oliveira Seabra

Emory University

Credentials:

BA, Seminário Martin Bucer / MDiv, Western Theological Seminary / PhD, Emory University (present)

Field of Study: 

Theological Studies

Denomination: 

Non-Denominational

Ricardo E. Uriegas

Dallas Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BS, Texas A&M University / ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary / MDiv, Southern Methodist University / PhD, Southern Methodist University (present)

Field of Study: 

Religion and Culture

Denomination: 

Methodist

Yaheli Vargas-Ramos

Drew University

Credentials:

BA, University of Puerto Rico / MAR, Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico / ThM, Vanderbilt University / PhD, Drew University (present)

Field of Study: 

Theology and Economics

Denomination: 

Pentecostal

Fourth Level Scholars:

Luis N. Alvarado

University of Chicago

Credentials:

BA, Columbia University / MA, University of Chicago Divinity School / PhD, University of Chicago (present)

Field of Study: 

Systematic and Philosophical Theology

Denomination: 

Catholic

Hannah Baz-Garza

Yale University

Credentials:

BA, Abilene Christian University / MAR, Yale Divinity School / PhD, Yale University (present)

Field of Study: 

Biblical Studies

Denomination: 

Non-Affiliated

Kimberly Melgoza

Iliff School of Theology

Credentials:

BA, University of Southern California / MAR, Yale Divinity School / PhD, University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology (present)

Field of Study: 

Indigenous Religions

Denomination: 

Non-Affiliated

Rebecca Mendoza

Harvard University

Credentials:

BA, University of Oregon / MDiv, Harvard Divinity School / PhD, Harvard University (present)

Field of Study: 

Cultural and Historical Studies of Religions

Denomination: 

Chicanx and Indigenous Traditions 

Laura Marcela Montoya Cifuentes

Emory University

Credentials:

BA, Universidad Nacional de Colombia / MDiv, Boston University / PhD, Emory University (present)

Field of Study: 

Practical Theology

Denomination: 

Non-Denominational

Cristian Antoni Piazzetta

Harvard University

Credentials:

BTh, Adventist University of Sao Paulo / MTS Harvard Divinity School / PhD Harvard University (present)

Field of Study: 

Biblical Studies

Denomination: 

Seventh Day Adventist

Paniel Reyes Cárdenas

Oblate School of Theology

Credentials:

BA, Universidad Panamericana, Mexico / MPhil University of Sheffield, United Kingdom / PhD, University of Sheffield, United Kingdom / Oblate School of Theology (present)

Field of Study: 

Philosophy and Religious Experience, Mysticism

Denomination: 

Eastern Orthodox

Nataly Lucia Romero Matia

Boston University

Credentials:

BA, Universidad Bíblica Latinoamericana, Peru / BA, Universidad Alas Peruanas, Peru / MDiv, Boston University School of Theology / PhD, Boston University (present)

Field of Study: 

Biblical Studies

Denomination: 

Methodist Church of Peru

Eric Daniel Villalobos

Emory University

Credentials:

BA, University of California Santa Barbara / MA, University of London, England / PhD, Emory University (present)

Field of Study: 

Cultural and Historical Studies of Religions

Denomination: 

Bah’a’i Faith

Fifth Level Scholars:

Matthew Arakaky

Duke University

Credentials:

 BA, University of Virginia / MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary / MA, The University of Chicago / PhD, Duke University (Present)

Field of Study:

Biblical Studies

Denomination:

Church of God (Cleveland, TN)

Guilherme Brasil de Souza

Princeton Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, Southern Adventist University / MAR, Yale Divinity School / PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary (Present)

Field of Study:

Religion and Societies

Denomination:

Seventh-day Adventist

Fernando Berwig Silva

Southern Methodist University

Credentials:

BA, Universidade Estadual do Paraná, Brazil / MSM, Southern Methodist University /Ph.D., Southern Methodist University (Present)

Field of Study:

Religion and Culture

Denomination:

Lutheran

Amanda Rachel Bolaños

Duke Divinity School

Credentials:

BA, Boston College / MA, University of Notre Dame / MTS, Duke Divinity School / ThD, Duke Divinity School (present)

Field of Study:

Christian Theological Ethics

Denomination:

Catholic

Luis Javier De Prada

Boston University

Credentials:

BA, Barry University / MA, Barry University / PhD, Boston University (present)

Field of Study:

Practical Theology

Denomination:

Roman Catholic

Jibreel Delgado Trabal

Graduate Theological Union

Credentials:

BA, University of South Florida / MA, University of Arizona / PhD, Graduate Theological Union (present)

Field of Study:

Cultural and Historical Studies of Religion

Denomination:

Muslim

Stephen Di Trolio

Princeton Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, University of Valley Forge / MDiv, Princeton Theological Seminary / PhD, Princeton Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study:

History

Denomination:

Assembly of God

Damien Domenack

Drew University

Credentials:

MDiv, Vanderbilt Divinity School / ThM, Vanderbilt Divinity School / Ph.D., Drew University (present)

Field of Study:

Ethics and Social Theory

Denomination:

Santero Priest (santeria), Unitarian Universalist

Leslie Garrote

Baylor University

Credentials:

BA, Tulane University/ MA, The City College of New York/ M.Ed, Covenant College/ MATS, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary/ Ph.D., Baylor University (present)

Field of Study:

History

Denomination:

Episcopal

Stephanie Valeska Lopez Griswold*

Claremont Graduate University

Credentials:

BA, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee / MA, San Diego State University / PhD, Claremont Graduate University (Present)

Field of Study:

History

Denomination:

Roman Catholic

Katherine Guerrero*

Yale University

Credentials:

BA, The University of Texas at Austin / MDiv, Duke University / PhD, Yale University (present)

Field of Study:

Theology

Denomination:

United Methodist

Joryán Hernández

University of Notre Dame

Credentials:

BA, University of Florida / MDiv, Vanderbilt Divinity School / PhD, University of Notre Dame (present)

Field of Study:

Ethics and Social Theory

Denomination:

Roman Catholic

Jacob Leal

Boston University

Credentials:

BA, Vanguard University of Southern California / MTS, Duke Divinity School / PhD, Boston University (present)

Field of Study:

Theology and Philosophy

Denomination:

Baptist

Evelmyn Ivens

Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, California State University, Los Angeles / MATS, North Park Theological Seminary / PhD, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (Present)

Field of Study:

Theology

Denomination:

Evangelical Covenant Church

Paola Marquez Leones

Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary

Credentials:

MDiv, Drew Theological School, PhD, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study:

Christian Education

Denomination:

Methodist

Michelle Elizabeth Navarrete

Emory University

Credentials:

BA, North Central College / MA, Evangel University / MA, Wheaton College / PhD, Emory University (present) 

Field of Study: 

Biblical Studies

Denomination: 

Non-Denominational

Amirah A. Orozco

University of Notre Dame

Credentials:

BA, Boston College/ MTS, Boston College/ PhD, University of Notre Dame (present)

Field of Study:

Systematic and Philosophical Theology

Denomination:

Roman Catholic

Jacob Palma

Fuller Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BA, Christian Life College / MDiv, Urshan Graduate School of Theology / PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study:

Missiology

Denomination:

United Pentecostal Church International

Natalie Readnour

Southern Methodist University

Credentials:

BA, Austin College / MDiv, Boston University School of Theology / PhD, Southern Methodist University (present) 

Field of Study:

Religion and Culture

Denomination:

Non-Denominational

Adriana Rivera

Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BS, Indiana University Bloomington / MDiv, McCormick Theological Seminary / PhD, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (present)

Field of Study:

Christian Education

Denomination:

Pentecostal

Izak Santana

University of Chicago Divinity School (Present)

Credentials:

 BA, Hardin-Simmons University / MDiv, Harvard Divinity School / PhD, The University of Chicago Divinity School (Present)

Field of Study:

Systematic and Philosophical Theology

Denomination:

Baptist

KMarie Tejada

Boston University

Credentials:

AA, Hostos Community College / BA, Hunter College / MDiv, Harvard Divinity School / STM, Boston University / PhD, Boston University (Present)

Field of Study:

Latin American Religions

Denomination:

Pentecostal/Charismatic

René Velarde

Fuller Theological Seminary

Credentials:

BS, Indiana Wesleyan University / MA, Fuller Theological Seminary / PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary (Present)

Field of Study:

Missiology

Denomination:

Non-Denominational

Eunice Villaneda-Bolaños

Claremont School of Theology

Credentials:

BA, California State University, Northridge / MA, California State University / PhD, Claremont School of Theology (Present)

Field of Study:

Religion and Socities

Denomination:

Disciples of Christ

David Zamora

Wheaton College

Credentials:

BA, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia / GradCert, Universidad del Rosario, Colombia / MDiv, Trinity School for Ministry / PhD, Wheaton College (Present)

Field of Study:

Biblical Studies

Denomination:

Anglican Church of North America

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