Ashley-Ann Hernandez, a Latina Scientist From Puerto Rico, Reshapes the Way We Think About Oral Health

Ashley Ann Hernandez, a Latina Scientist From Puerto Rico, Reshapes the Way We Think About Oral Health
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The rhythm of early mornings in Puerto Rico, surrounded by farmland and a culture of self-reliance, formed the first outlines of Ashley-Ann Hernandez’s understanding of health. That upbringing sharpened her instinct for observation and gave shape to the questions she would later pursue in laboratories far from home.

In conversation with BELatina News, she spoke about her work as part of the Colgate research team behind the Colgate Total Active Prevention System, a three product innovation designed to help get ahead of oral health problems before they start. Informed by years spent studying the mechanics of how things work and why they matter, every answer was filled with passion. “I’ve always been curious about how things are made and work which naturally led me to science,” she said. “While science is a technical field, it also fuels creativity in understanding the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind the products that make a real difference in people’s lives.”

A Childhood Shaped by Labor and Early Lessons

Ashley-Ann’s introduction to health came through labor, not language. In the rural stretches of Puerto Rico, staying well meant staying ready. Movement was constant. Bodies carried weight. Work demanded endurance. Those who grew up there knew that strength was earned, not inherited. “Growing up in the rural side of Puerto Rico with farmland and agriculture, I gained an early understanding of the physical labor that kept my family and neighbors strong and healthy,” she said.

School became the space where oral health entered the conversation, thanks to Colgate sponsored programs that framed brushing as more than routine. They made it relevant. They made it urgent. “This early exposure, combined with later joining Colgate, highlighted how often the crucial link between oral and overall health is overlooked,” she explained. That connection now anchors the science she practices. Her research, far from abstract, returns to the households she knows and the people she imagines standing at the sink, unsure which product to trust.

Innovation Requires Cultural Fluency and Ashley-Ann Is Proof of This

Ashley-Ann’s work reaches global audiences, though her point of view remains grounded in the specificity of her own community. It is there she finds clarity about what matters. “Navigating my role as a Latina scientist gives me both pride and a sense of responsibility,” she said. “Knowing I represent a community that has historically been underrepresented in STEM motivates me to inspire others to pursue their own passion.”

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Meet Latina Scientist Ashley-Ann Hernandez. We love supporting Latinas doing big things, especially Latinas in STEM. 💜@Colgate US #fyp #parati #puertorico #stem #stemtok #latinatok

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That sense of purpose became visible at the launch of the Colgate Total Active Prevention System in Miami. Ashley-Ann shared both her scientific role and her cultural story, allowing attendees to understand the human dimensions behind the formula. “My favorite part of this event was connecting with other Latinos and engaging in empowering conversations about making a difference in areas that could benefit from more diversity,” she said.

The product line itself addresses oral health through a preventative lens, combining a reformulated toothpaste with stabilized stannous fluoride, a high density toothbrush, and a mouthwash that delivers 24 hour active protection against bacteria with twice daily use. According to Colgate’s research, the system is “15x more effective at fighting the root cause of many oral health problems*” such as gingivitis and cavities. And yes. Ashley-Ann personally worked on creating this alongside a team equipped with other remarkable scientists.

Ashley Ann, a Latina Scientist From Puerto Rico, Reshapes the Way We Think About Oral Health

Still, for Ashley-Ann, the innovation is not confined to a lab result. “When developing new products, I always picture my own loved ones using them,” she said. “It gives me a sense of purpose and pride to know Colgate can positively change lives and create brighter futures for everyone, from starting at the sink.”

Future Generations and the Power of Presence

Even though Ashley-Ann speaks often of representation, she defines it through function rather than symbol. She believes young Latinas deserve to see themselves reflected in the rooms where formulas are written, data is tested, and health standards are set. “We belong in spaces where big decisions are made and impactful work happens,” she said. “My greatest hope is that it sparks their curiosity, builds their confidence, and shows them that their unique life experiences are not just valuable, but needed.”

Her approach to science is shaped by a multicultural lens, sharpened by a lifetime of navigating different worlds and expectations. “It’s helped me create innovations that are not only scientifically effective but also culturally relevant and accessible to the consumers we support,” she said. This fluency, cultural and professional, allows her to imagine futures others have overlooked.

June marks National Oral Health Month, and for Ashley-Ann, the timing is extremely important due to its strategic influence. After all, it marks a moment to act. “It’s the perfect time to take charge of your oral care routine and try out the Colgate Total Active Prevention System,” she said. “It’s designed to offer people an effective daily prevention routine that addresses bacteria, the root cause of many oral health problems like gingivitis and cavities, to name a few.”

Today, Ashley-Ann’s mission remains clear: serve families with tools that work, built by someone who understands them. Not from a distance, but from within.

*such as gingivitis and cavities by reducing bacteria buildup in 6 weeks starting in week 1 when used together, vs non-antibacterial fluoride toothpaste and flat trim toothbrush 

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