Esteban Rosario Sánchez was born and raised in Puerto Rico. His experience with the lush landscapes of Puerto Rico nurtured his curiosity about the natural world. After attending a STEM-focused public high school in Puerto Rico, he continued his education at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao. There, he earned a dual degree in Biology, specializing in Microbiology and Wildlife Management.

During his time in Humacao, Rosario Sánchez had the opportunity to contribute to significant research projects. He worked in Dr. Denny Fernandez's Ecology and Quantitative Analysis lab, focusing on tree diversity and ecology. Additionally, he collaborated with Dr. Ariel Diaz in his entomology lab.

In the summer of 2022, Rosario Sánchez deepened his research experience through Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) at the Blandy Experimental Farm, affiliated with the University of Virginia. Under the guidance of Dr. Allyson Degrassi and Dr. Patrick Crumrine, he conducted pivotal research on freshwater turtles.

These experiences inspired Rosario Sánchez to pursue graduate studies at the University of New Mexico. Currently, he is collaborating with Dr. Lisa Barrow in her Amphibian and Reptile Biodiversity Lab—his graduate research centers on the impact of climate change on freshwater turtles in their natural ecosystems.