Category: RCMI

Ponce Research Institute Receives $2.5 M Grant from the National Cancer Institute

In Collaboration with Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida, Researcher from PHSU’s Ponce Research Institute Receives $2.5 M Grant from the National Cancer Institute

They will study a potential new treatment for breast cancer in Hispanics/Latinas

The National Cancer Institute awarded a $2.5 M grant to a team of researchers led by Dr. Harold I. Saavedra, Ph.D., Professor of the Department of Basic Sciences, Program of Pharmacology at the Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), in collaboration with the Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) in Tampa, Florida.

Other research team members include Drs. Julie Dutil, Ph.D. (PHSU), and Steven Eschrich, Ph.D. (MCC), who are experts on how ancestry influences breast cancer outcomes. Also on the team are Dr. Doug Cress, Ph.D. (MCC), an expert in cancer health disparities in Hispanics/Latinas; Dr. Quincy Mo (MCC), an expert in bioinformatics and biostatistician; and Drs. Marilin Rosa, M.D. (MCC), an expert in breast cancer pathology, and Dr. Roberto Díaz, M.D., Ph.D. (MCC), clinical consultant.

This grant will be used to research a potential new treatment for breast cancer in Hispanic/Latinas, particularly Puerto Rican, by observing a process that occurs at the cellular level, the centrosome-mitotic kinases, where centrosomal abnormalities can lead to a wide range of human diseases, including cancer.

“Our research is based on observations that centrosome-specific kinases are specifically dysregulated in Hispanic/Latinas, possibly leading to higher rates of breast cancer mortality in women of African descent than in non-Hispanic white women. That subtype of cancer tends to relapse and metastasize after chemotherapy and surgery,” explained Dr. Saavedra.

While this isn’t the only determining factor, it has been documented, that women from Puerto Rico, like African American women and women from West Africa, have higher probabilities of being detected with triple-negative breast cancer (a highly aggressive breast cancer subtype), for which there are no biological therapies available.

“The poor prognosis and mortality are in part due to socioeconomic factors and biological reasons, including the detection of breast cancers at later stages, of larger tumors, and higher rates of triple-negative breast cancers,” said Dr. Saavedra.

Therefore, the research team is looking to answer whether it’s possible to develop a novel biological therapeutic approach against this breast cancer subtype, particularly in African descendants, by modifying the tumor growth and its metastatic potential.

The MCC-PHSU U54 partnership would like to thank the Puerto Rico Science Trust and the Ponce Research Institute for providing multiple funds that allowed this grant to happen. For more information on the basis for this research, visit PubMed.gov, a page of the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Ponce Health Sciences University is a university focused on the disciplines of Medicine, Clinical Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health and Nursing. Since 1977, it has developed highly trained professionals in the field of health care. Its educational center in Santurce, offers a Masters in Medical Sciences, a Masters in School Psychology and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. It also has a campus in St. Louis, MO.

Women against breast cancer

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Investigador del Ponce Research Institute de PHSU, en colaboración con el Moffitt Cancer Center en Florida, recibe subvención de $2.5 millones del Instituto Nacional de Cáncer

Estudiarán un potencial nuevo tratamiento para el cáncer de seno en hispanas/latinas

El Instituto Nacional de Cáncer otorgó una subvención de $2.5 millones a un equipo de investigadores científicos liderado por el Dr. Harold I. Saavedra, Ph.D., profesor del Departamento de Ciencias Básicas y Programa de Farmacología de Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU), en colaboración con investigadores del Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) en Tampa, Florida.

Otros miembros del equipo de científicos incluyen a los doctores Julie Dutil, Ph.D. (PHSU), y Steven Eschrich, Ph.D. (MCC), expertos en cómo la ascendencia influye en los resultados del cáncer de seno. También componen el equipo el Dr. Doug Cress, Ph.D. (MCC), experto en desigualdades de salud y cáncer en mujeres hispanas/latinas; el Dr. Quincy Mo (MCC), experto en bioinformática y bioestadístico; la Dra. Marilin Rosa, M.D. (MCC), experta en patología de cáncer del seno y Roberto Díaz, M.D., Ph.D. (MCC), consultor clínico.

Esta subvención se utilizará para investigar un potencial nuevo tratamiento para el cáncer de seno en mujeres hispanas/latinas, particularmente puertorriqueñas, observando un proceso que ocurre a nivel celular, la quinasa mitótica del centrosoma, donde anormalidades centrosomales pueden causar una amplia gama de enfermedades en humanos, incluyendo cáncer.

“Nuestra investigación está basada en observaciones de que la quinasa mitótica del centrosoma está específicamente desregulada en las mujeres hispanas/latinas, lo cual posiblemente resulta en tasas más alta de mortalidad relacionadas al cáncer de seno en mujeres de ascendencia africana, que en mujeres blancas no-hispanas. Ese subtipo de cáncer tiende a reincidir y a propagarse luego de la quimioterapia y la cirugía”, explicó el Dr. Saavedra.

Aunque este no es el único factor determinante, se ha documentado que las mujeres puertorriqueñas, al igual que las mujeres afroamericanas y del oeste de África, tienen más probabilidades de que se les detecte cáncer de seno triple negativo (un subtipo de cáncer de seno altamente agresivo) para el cual no hay terapias biológicas disponibles.

“La pobre prognosis y mortalidad se deben en parte a factores socioeconómicos y razones biológicas, incluyendo la detección del cáncer del seno en etapas más tardías, de tumores más grandes, y de tasas más altas de cáncer de seno triple negativo”, dijo el Dr. Saavedra.

Por tanto, el equipo de investigadores está buscando responder si es posible desarrollar un método terapéutico biológico, novel, para tratar este subtipo de cáncer, particularmente en descendientes de la raza africana, modificando el crecimiento del tumor y su potencial de metástasis.

La alianza MCC-PHSU U54 desea agradecer al Puerto Rico Science Trust y al Ponce Research Institute por proveer fondos que permitieron que esta subvención ocurriera. Para más información sobre las bases de esta investigación visite PubMed.gov, una página del National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

Ponce Health Sciences University es una universidad enfocada en las disciplinas de Medicina, Psicología Clínica, Ciencias Biomédicas, Salud Pública y Enfermería. Desde el 1977, han desarrollado profesionales altamente capacitados en el campo del cuidado de la salud. Su centro educativo en Santurce ofrece una maestría en Ciencias Médicas, maestría en Psicología Educativa y un doctorado en Psicología Clínica. También cuenta con un campo en St. Louis, MO.

November 18, 2022
Presentan hallazgos de 133 nuevas investigaciones científicas en temas de salud

133 nuevas investigaciones científicas fueron presentadas como parte de la 17ma. Conferencia Científica Anual y el Primer Simposio de Disparidades de Salud del Ponce Research Institute (PRI) de Ponce Health Sciences University. Durante el evento, el que se reconocieron 26 de estas, se resaltaron los hallazgos más recientes de aquellas investigaciones relacionadas a las disparidades en salud, y se expusieron los resultados de las investigaciones concurrentes en las áreas de Salud Pública, Ciencias Conductuales y del Cerebro, Ciencias Biomédicas Básicas, estudios y casos clínicos.

Los estudios presentados revelaron hallazgos importantes en cáncer de próstata, cáncer de seno, cáncer cervical, COVID-19, autismo, endometriosis, enfermedades cardiovasculares, VIH, síndrome de estrés postraumático, uso de drogas, desarrollo y capacitación comunitaria, necesidades y resiliencia comunitaria e impacto de desastres naturales en la salud. Durante la actividad, expertos en medicina, nutrición, epidemiología y en investigación de los Estados Unidos y Puerto Rico presentaron temas sobre enfermedades crónicas que afectan significativamente a los hispanos, tales como la diabetes, obesidad, y enfermedades cardiovasculares e hipertensión.

“Estos trabajos permitirán, entre otros, el desarrollo de nuevos proyectos de investigación que ayuden en la prevención de enfermedades, muchas de estas con alta prevalencia en la población de Puerto Rico. Con la exposición de estos trabajos reafirmamos nuestro compromiso en continuar desarrollando futuros profesionales de la salud como aliados en el fortalecimiento de las ciencias en el país”, indicó la Dra. Kenira Thompson, presidenta del Ponce Research Institute y vicepresidenta de Ponce Health Sciences University.

Thompson añadió que, por primera vez, este año, se reconocieron egresados de la universidad y se les otorgó el premio Alumni Research Hall of Honor Award por su compromiso, dedicación, y contribución a las ciencias de la salud. Estos fueron: Dr. Mohammed R. Milad (2003 Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences), Dr. Dennis J. Yang Wu (2008 Doctor in Medicine), Dra. Eida M. Castro-Figueroa (2008 Doctor in Clinical Psychology) y la Dra. Melissa Marzán-Rodríguez (2015 Doctor in Public Health).

ENGLISH VERSION

Ponce Health Sciences University unveils findings of 133 new scientific research on health issues

The Ponce Health Sciences University’s Ponce Research Institute presented 133 new scientific investigations during the institution’s 17th Annual Scientific Conference and the First Symposium on Health Disparities.

The event, which recognized 26 of the studies, highlighted the most recent findings of research related to health disparities, and presented the results of concurrent research in the areas of public health, behavioral and brain sciences.

The studies presented revealed findings in prostate cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, COVID-19, autism, endometriosis, cardiovascular disease, HIV, post-traumatic stress syndrome, drug use, community development and training, community needs and resilience and impact of natural disasters on health.

During the activity, experts in medicine, nutrition, epidemiology, and research from the US mainland and Puerto Rico presented topics on chronic diseases that significantly affect Hispanics, such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases and hypertension.

“These works will allow, among others, the development of new research projects that help in the prevention of diseases, many of which are highly prevalent in the population of Puerto Rico,” said Kenira Thompson, president of the Ponce Research Institute.

For the first time this year, university alumni — Mohammed R. Milad, Dennis J. Yang Wu, Eida M. Castro-Figueroa, and Melissa Marzán-Rodríguez — were recognized and bestowed with the Alumni Research Hall of Honor Award for their commitment, dedication, and contribution to the health sciences, Thompson said.

Source: NimB

May 25, 2022
Científica puertorriqueña recibe importante reconocimiento
La Dra. Vanessa Rivera Amill detectó la primera variante de COVID-19 que llegó a la isla en enero

La Dra. Vanessa Rivera Amill, directora científica de INNO Diagnostics & Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) del Ponce Research Institute, recibió el premio Bajari otorgado por el Fideicomiso para Ciencia, Tecnología e Investigación de Puerto Rico, convirtiéndose en la segunda científica en recibir esta distinción.

Este premio es dirigido a científicos distinguidos en Puerto Rico. Bajarí es una palabra del dialecto taíno que significa alta distinción y representa el camino que los investigadores siguen para innovar y lograr altas distinciones en sus campos.

“Es un premio muy merecido para la Dra. Vanessa Rivera, quien, con sus ejecutorias, conocimiento y dedicación, ha demostrado la importancia de las ciencias en Puerto Rico. En enero de este año, la doctora Rivera, junto a otros científicos de la institución que dirige, detectaron, por primera vez en la isla, una variante del virus SARS-CoV-2 del Reino Unido que causa la enfermedad de COVID-19, dejando en evidencia que nuestros científicos tienen todo lo que se necesita y más, para apoyar los esfuerzos del país en términos de investigación”, indicó el Dr. José Torres, rector de Ponce Health Sciences University.

“La doctora Rivera ha mostrado ser una líder en su campo y su trayectoria académica e investigativa sirven de ejemplo para otros. Nos enorgullece que sea parte de nuestro equipo de trabajo”, expresó la Dra. Kenira Thompson, presidenta de Ponce Research Institute.

La Dra. Vanessa Rivera Amill también supervisa el Programa de Investigación del SIDA y dirige el único programa acreditado por la Organización Mundial de la Salud para servicios de genotipado del VIH en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. Es la investigadora principal de varias subvenciones importantes financiadas por el Centro para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, incluyendo comunidades organizadas para prevenir los arbovirus y un estudio relacionado con subcohortes sobre COVID-19 (COCOVID).

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English Version

Puerto Rican Scientist Receives Recognition for Outstanding Research

Dr. Vanessa Rivera Amill detected the first variant of COVID-19 that arrived on the island in January

Dr. Vanessa Rivera Amill, scientific director of INNO Diagnostics & Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) of the Ponce Research Institute, received the Bajarí Outstanding Research award granted by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust (PRSTRT), becoming the second female scientist to receive this distinction.

Bajarí is a Taíno word that means high distinction and represents the path that researchers follow to innovate and achieve high distinction in their fields. With this award, the PRSTRT seeks to recognize the most exceptional achievements in science, technology, and research in Puerto Rico.

“This is a well-deserved award for Dr. Vanessa Rivera, who, with her performance, knowledge and dedication, has demonstrated the importance of science in Puerto Rico. In January of this year, Dr. Rivera, along with other scientists from the institution she directs, detected, for the first time on the island, a variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from the United Kingdom that causes the COVID-19 disease, demonstrating that our scientists have all that is needed and more, to support the country’s efforts in terms of research,” said Dr. José Torres, chancellor of Ponce Health Sciences University.

“Dr. Rivera has shown herself to be a leader in her field and both her academic and research trajectory serve as an example for others. We are proud to have her as part of our team,” said Dr. Kenira Thompson, president of Ponce Research Institute.

Dr. Vanessa Rivera Amill also oversees the AIDS Research Program and directs the only World Health Organization accredited program for HIV genotyping services in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. She is the principal investigator on several major grants funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, including Communities Organized to Prevent Arboviruses and a sub cohort-related study on COVID-19 (COCOVID).

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December 16, 2021
Get to Know our Ponce-RCMI Team! – Dr. Richard Noel

Dr. Richard Noel is a PHSU investigator from our Ponce Research Institute as part of the Ponce-RCMI Project. He has a partnership role as a PI. Currently responsible for the investigator’s development and the coordination of three major projects: The Research Core, Community Core and the investigators development core.

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His contributions are supporting the ongoing projects to facilitate its progress, organizing a call for applications of the internal pilot project funding, and opening the training program of the investigator development core. But not only does he contribute at a local level, but he is also engaged at the national level where he serves on the organizing committee for the RCMI 2019 National Conference where he is the Chair of the abstract committee for that meeting to be taken place on December 15-19 in Maryland.

As part such an important project Dr. Noel wishes to share with the community that for 34 years, the RCMI program at PHSU is the primary support for biomedical research infrastructure and provides significant funding to individual research projects. The program is responsible for the recruiting of research faculty for the past 30 years and in the next five years is projected to support the addition of 10 new research faculty to PHSU. The RCMI Project sponsor’s a training and career development program for faculty in all PHSU schools and programs and provides research development support for short term projects and projects spanning up to two years.

Also, the RCMI program started a community investigator training program that will promote collaboration of institutional scientists and community leaders to address important areas of health disparity – a first of its kind at PHSU and novel in Puerto Rico for the scope and depth of training that will be available to four cohorts of community leaders. Each of these activities, as well as three major scientific projects, a clinical study of perinatal outcomes for children exposed to ZIKA, a behavioral study of early-life stress related to cancer progression, and a basic science study of developmental stress and addiction effects on adult post-trauma stress, all offer different avenues to get involved.

“There is no substitute for gaining research experience; it is never too late (even final year in college) nor too early (we have outreach to grade school children and each summer host high school students in our labs) to do so. Also, you need to be a serious student – you need strong grades in challenging classes and you need to learn from those classes (not just get good grades)”

November 4, 2019
Get to know our RCMI Team! – Doris Andujar

Doris Andujar

All Scientific projects are conducted by a team’s effort. If your interest relies on regulations and compliances and science, you should get to know Ms. Doris Andujar, MPH. She is the Program Executive Manager responsible for providing administration support to the Principal Investigators (Dr. José Torres and Dr. Richard Noel) in all activities conducted through the RCMI Program at PHSU.

Ms. Andujar ensures federal grant compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations. Assist the principal investigators and core/project leaders with proposal development, grants management (pre-award and post-award), budget management and forecasting, data management, monitoring and evaluation, resolution of accounting problems/errors; and functioning as liaison to federal and non-federal granter agencies and subcontracting institutions. She is also in charge of assisting the PI’s in the development and implementation of collaborative agreements/partnerships with other research-intensive institutions.

Among the important aspects to share with the community upon the RCMI Program; MS. Andujar tells us that NIH funded 11 Research Centers in Minority Institutions Specialized Centers nationally and PHSU – Ponce Research Institute is one of the privileged awardees.

She quotes: “Historically, this funding opportunity is designed to develop and strengthen the research infrastructure necessary to conduct state-of-the-art biomedical research and foster the next generation of researchers from underrepresented populations. The overall goals are to advance the science of minority health and health disparities in multiple disciplines, promote the diversity of the biomedical workforce and reduce health disparities and promote health equity. (NIH News Release 8/23/19; link: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-funds-eleven-research-centers-minority-institutions)”.

As the Program Executive Manager, she states that it’s important for everyone to get to know how the RCMI Program, titled PHSU Specialized Center in Health is the biggest federal grant with a history of over 30 years on PHSU main campus, which she believes to be one of a kind. Also highlights how it’s important for everyone to get to know the contributions upon the RCMI Programs Cores. For example, the laboratory cores AIDS, BRAIN, and MAGIC merged and enhanced to become the Center for Research Resources open to faculty, students, collaborators, and clients at the local, national, and international levels.

She also addresses that the Community Engagement Core founded with the Community-Based Participatory Research model, trains community members, living in Southern Puerto Rico, on research and health education, in addition to providing support to our faculty researchers. And last but not least, the Investigator Development Core known as START (Strategic Academic Research Training Core) established a two-year career development curriculum for post-docs and junior research faculty and funds peer-reviewed pilot projects. These cores support the three full research projects on basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.

It is evident that Ms. Andujar represents a great professional and asset for the RCMI Program. We recognize her commitment and quote her best wishes to future students that want to become future researchers:

“Students, you are the authors of a new chapter in your book of life once you decide to get a graduate degree. Each year at PHSU is not just another year at a new university; it is a new year full of expectations and opportunities you might have never imagined. Research is one of those opportunities that PHSU offers. To excel as a health professional and spearhead a topic of interest in research, you must be disciplined, respectful, perseverant and tenacious, a good citizen, responsible, just, honest, curious, open-minded, committed, and have integrity. Todd Pettigrew, an English Professor at Cape Breton University, adds to these characteristics ambition, humility, and creativity (when he thinks about his best students).

Above all these qualities, for me, the most important is PASSION. Sister Isolina Ferré refers to passion as the inner tickle that leads you to do things regardless of receiving anything in change, just the satisfaction of having had an impact on the life of those that surround you. Passion is what will lead you to achieve your purpose, your goals, starting with learning health competencies, research methods, meeting graduation requirements, and then applying all the knowledge and skills in a research career. If we apply this concept to health sciences overall, it would be to lead us through passion achieving a translational impact from the lab to the bedside and even more important at the population level.

As a colleague, I urge you to be bold. Dare to Be Different, think out of the box and go beyond your limits. It is ok to be afraid, but do not feel powerless. Dare to believe in yourself, in your talents, in your abilities, in your potential to be an excellent student and professional. Dare to have enthusiasm for your education and research, to learn every day, because you never stop learning. Dare to use all the resources offered by the university (including professors and academic counselors). Dare to ask for help, but also dare to help those who need it and teach them your knowledge because you did select a career that builds on teamwork.

Dare to take opportunities for work-study, employment, to volunteer in the various projects and committees in the institution (this is how I started at PHSU, as a volunteer, and today I am the Program Executive Manager of RCMI and Assistant Director of the Office of Research Development). Take a look into Ponce Research Institute and explore what investigations are underway and see how you can be of help. Become a research assistant, present studies at local, national, and international levels. Expose yourself, network, and let people know who you are and what you can do. Also, take-action and develop community initiative activities with your professors and colleagues. Engage community members in your research studies so they can be your advocates locally.

In summary, you have come this far to be a valuable resource that society needs. Don’t give up, fight, and conquer your goals with great fervor. I wish you all great success!!

“Always listen to experts. They’ll tell you what can’t be done, and why. Then do it!”

~Robert A. Heinlein”

November 4, 2019
Subvención de 22 millones de dólares permitirá desarrollar Centro Especializado en Disparidades de Salud

La ayuda también dará continuidad al Programa de Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI)

El Instituto de Salud de Minorías y Disparidades de Salud (NIMHD) de los Institutos Nacionales de Salud (NIH) anunciaron la renovación del Programa Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) en Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU). Esto mediante la otorgación de una subvención de 22 millones de dólares por cinco años adicionales.

Durante los pasados 33 años, el financiamiento a través del Programa de RCMI en PHSU ha sido fundamental en el establecimiento y desarrollo de una infraestructura de avanzada para proseguir investigación científica en las áreas básicas, clínicas y en las ciencias del comportamiento humano. El RCMI ha sido una pieza clave en la transformación de PHSU de una institución esencialmente de enseñanza graduada, a un centro vigoroso de investigación científica. La contribución del Programa ha ayudado a la facultad de PHSU en aumentar el número y la calidad de publicaciones en revistas científicas indexadas de alto prestigio y presentaciones en foros de alta visibilidad tanto a nivel local, nacional, e internacional. Esto, a su vez, ha repercutido en posicionar a la institución a un nivel de competitividad que le ha permitido recibir múltiples subvenciones para investigación y adiestramiento de nuevos científicos biomédicos.

Lideres del Programa RCMI en Ponce Research Institute (PRI)

“Nos sentimos sumamente honrados en que nuestro Programa de RCMI haya sido renovado. Ciertamente, en un panorama actual de tanta competitividad para recibir fondos federales dirigidos a la investigación científica, este éxito constituye una clara evidencia del compromiso incondicional de nuestra facultad y de la calidad del trabajo que ellos realizan día a día. La renovación del Programa nos permitirá establecer un Centro Especializado en Disparidades de Salud en la zona sur de Puerto Rico. Este Centro tiene como propósito principal el promover investigación traslacional (la que lleva los resultados de investigación directamente a la atención médico/paciente) de calidad con un énfasis particular en el área de disparidades de salud a nivel local e internacional”, expresó el Dr. Jose A. Torres-Ruiz, Rector de PHSU e Investigador Principal del Programa.

El Dr. Richard Noel, coinvestigador principal del Programa RCMI expresó que, “Este apoyo financiero es instrumental en nuestros esfuerzos de continuarinvestigando sobre enfermedades que afectan la población de Puerto Rico de forma desproporcionada. Mantener una infraestructura de vanguardia y el fortalecer alianzas con la comunidad son estrategias claves que se impulsarán desde el Centro”.

La propuesta desarrollada del Centro Especializado en Disparidades de Salud “es uno muy relevante a Puerto Rico”, expresó el Dr. Torres-Ruíz, quien explicó que el término “disparidades de salud” es utilizado para referirse a cualquier diferencia prevenible en la salud en poblaciones vulnerables en cuanto a la distribución de ciertas enfermedades, causas de muerte, factores de riesgo, y otros aspectos relacionados a la salud. “Debido a que somos una población predominantemente hispana que reside en una isla, tenemos una mayor carga de algunas condiciones como el cáncer, la diabetes, condiciones neurológicas, entre otras”, expresó el Dr. Torres-Ruíz.

Por su parte la Dra. Kenira Thompson, presidenta de Ponce Research Institute y vice presidenta de investigación en PHSU mencionó que, “Nos sentimos muy orgullosos de nuestro equipo de investigadores que se han unido para conceptualizar e implantar el Centro Especializado en Disparidades de Salud en PHSU. Con este auspicio financiero, continuaremos con nuestrocompromiso incondicional de trabajar firmemente en resolver los retos más apremiantes que impactan la salud de la comunidad hispana”.

Sobre el Centro Especializado en Disparidades de Salud

El Centro Especializado en Disparidades de Salud integrará el peritaje y experiencia de más de 15 facultativos asociados a los diferentes programas académicos de PHSU, además de un número significativo de estudiantes graduados y de personal de apoyo. Este grupo de profesionales contribuirá al mandato nacional de establecer estrategias para prevenir o reducir las incidencias de disparidades en la salud de la sociedad, y de forma muy particular en comunidades desventajadas.

Este Centro propone ofrecer una variedad de servicios y actividades científicas incluyendo el establecimiento de modernas instalaciones físicas y tecnologías impactando la evolución de los proyectos científicos. La implementación de estrategias novedosas va dirigida a cultivar la facultad joven y convertirlos en investigadores altamente competentes para aumentar y mejorar la fuerza laboral en las áreas de prioridad del Centro. Esta infraestructura innovadora del Centro permite promover estudios competitivos que toman en consideración los sectores más vulnerables de la comunidad en relación con el tema de las disparidades de salud que presentan.

El Centro, además, apoyará la implantación de tres proyectos científicos de alto calibre que han sido diseñados para entender de forma más amplia las problemáticas en disparidades de salud en la adicción de sustancias, el efecto de estrés en la proliferación del cáncer, y sobre las consecuencias neurológicas de pacientes pediátricos que fueron expuestos a la infección de ZIKA durante el embarazo. Los resultados que emanen de estos estudios auspiciados por el Centro Especializado de Disparidades de Salud propiciarán información clave para comprender y responder de manera más contundente a los factores que contribuyen a las disparidades en la salud que afectan predominantemente la comunidad puertorriqueña.

Doris Andújar, Administradora del Proyecto RCMI, Kenira Thompson, Presidenta de PRI, Dr. José A. Torres-Ruiz, Rector de PHSU e Investigador Principal del Proyecto RCMI, Dr. Richard Noel, Investigador Principal del Proyecto RCMI

Se informó que este centro será administrado por el Dr. Jose A. Torres Ruiz, rector de la institución, y por el Dr. Richard Noel, director del Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de PHSU. Los doctores Torres Ruiz y Noel fungirán como investigador principal de contacto y coinvestigador principal, respectivamente.

Para más información sobre el programa RCMI y el propuesto Centro de Disparidades de Salud las personas interesadas pueden escribir a: jtorres@psm.edu,

rnoel@psm.edu o dandujar@psm.edu. También pueden llamar al 787-840-2575 ext. 2283.

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October 15, 2019
NIH awarded Ponce Health Science University $4.4M to renovate the Ponce Research Institute facilities.

Today we reflect on the past two years as it is the Anniversary of Hurricane María. During the day, please take some time to remember, as well as how we came together as a community to help rebuild our campus and southcentral Puerto Rico, as well as honor the memory of all of those who lost their lives in the aftermath.

As part of our ongoing work to establish a more robust research enterprise, I am proud and excited to announce that the NIH has awarded PRI $4.4M to restore our main Research Building (Building F). This is a wonderful testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance of our team!! This grant was submitted during the Christmas break in 2018, and required high-level coordination with multiple stakeholders with a very tight deadline/timeline. The grant will allow for an interior remodel of our research labs, as well as the implementation of full off-the grid solar power, and fixed storm window shutters in order to maximize the resiliency of our facility.

We have a two-year timeline for this renovation, so the Project Management Team will soon be contacting all researchers that may be impacted by the project, in order to coordinate activities to maximize productivity as well as mitigate potential interruptions to research activities. We look forward to working with all of you as we proceed with this much-awaited and needed facelift to our research building.

Thanks for your continued efforts towards the growth and expansion of research at our institution. I am proud of what you do!

Kenira Thompson, Ph.D.

Vice President for Research

Ponce Health Sciences University

President, Ponce Research Institute

October 8, 2019