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Education

Medical Degree (M.D.)
Universidad Libre de Colombia, Cali, Colombia

Doctor in Philosophy Basic Medical Sciences - Physiology (Ph.D.)
University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama

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Licensure and Certifications (Current)

M.D. physician license, Reg. # 215/97, re-certified by el Colegio Médico Colombiano.

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Biography

Diego F. Alvarez, M.D., Ph.D., is the Assistant Dean of Pre-Clerkship Curriculum at the Floyd School of Medicine. Dr. Alvarez joined the school in August of 2026 from the University of Houston, Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, where he served as a Clinical Professor of Physiology. Dr. Alvarez is a medical educator, clinical professor, and translational scientist advancing competency-based medical education and vascular biology. With more than two decades of experience, he designs integrated curricula that connect foundational sciences, clinical reasoning, simulation, case-based learning, Entrustable Professional Activities, and programmatic assessment.

Dr. Alvarez is a founding department chair and curriculum leader who has built medical education infrastructure and innovative, time-flexible foundational-science curricula. He helped establish the curriculum at Sam Houston State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, contributing to full COCA accreditation and strong student performance on national standardized examinations. He has also served as a curriculum leader for the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and as a consultant to the University of Northern Colorado College of Osteopathic Medicine.

His NIH- and American Heart Association–supported research examines pulmonary edema, endothelial barrier dysfunction, vascular injury, and neurovascular disease. His laboratory has identified therapeutic targets, including TRPV4-related pathways now under clinical evaluation for pulmonary edema. Dr. Alvarez has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and has received multiple teaching and scholarly awards.

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Alvarez has trained more than 20 graduate students and supported junior faculty in achieving promotion and tenure. His interests include using AI-tailored agents to strengthen clinical reasoning in medical education. He is also the founder of Pulse4Life, a community cardiovascular screening initiative that expands access to preventive care.

Click here to read Dr. Alvarez’s ORCID

Click here to read Dr. Alvarez’s scholar list and metrics @ Google Scholar