Dr. Portocarrero is Full Professor in the Academic Department of Social and Political Sciences and Member of the Research Center at the Universidad del Pacífico. He holds a D. Phil. in Sociology from the University of Oxford, a Magister in Sociology with a Specialization in Population, and a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences with a Specialization in Sociology from the Universidad Pontificia Catolica del Perú.

He has been an Academic Visitor at the University of Oxford Latin American Centre, Researcher on the Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project, Member of the Philanthropy Leadership Program in the Americas, director of the Leadership and Social Development Program in Latin America/Andean Region, Member of the Board of Directors of the Network for the Development of the Social Sciences in Peru, Director of the Peruvian team in the Social Enterprise Knowledge Network (SEKN), Member of the AVINA Advisory Council, and Visiting Researcher at the Harvard University PASCA Program and at St. Antony's College (University of Oxford, United Kingdom), among other academic activities.

Past positions at the Universidad del Pacifico include President (2019-2024 and 2009 - 2014), Director of the Research Center (1999-2004) and President of the University Press (1991-2014).

Economic and social history, third sector, volunteering and philanthropic activities in Peru and Latin America, corporate social responsibility, social capital and democracy.