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School of Public Health

  1. Albizu García, Carmen E., M.D.,B.A. (Professor)
    e-mail:calbizu@rcm.upr.edu

    Up-dated Description of Research Interests: We are interested in two major areas of research: health services research and policy research in topics pertaining to drug addiction and its treatment. Given the overlying dependence on incarceration in the US and PR to address illicit drug use, we are focusing our work on the treatment needs and adverse outcomes of drug use among inmates of the PR prison system. We are currently carrying out two studies with prison inmates: a needs assessment for drug addiction treatment and HIV and Hepatitis B/C prevention among inmates in the Puerto Rico prison system and a feasibility study of treatment with Buprenorphine-naloxone for opiate dependent inmates nearing release.

    In addition, two small studies are underway assessing custodial and socio-penal prison staff’s attitudes towards inmate rehabilitation, stigma towards HIV infected inmates, and knowledge about HIV and Hepatitis B and C transmission and manifestations. We are also collaborating with Drs. Cynthia Pérez and Erick Suárez in a household survey to determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C and its correlates in Puerto Ricans 15 years or older. Our work in health services research focuses on providers of mental health services. We are interested in assessing the impact of system changes on provider behavior. We hope to eventually utilize the results of our work with providers to specifically address questions regarding the quality of addiction treatment.
  2. González, Michael J., D.Sc., Ph.D., FACN (Associate Professor)
    e-mail:mgonzalez@rcm.upr.edu

    MAJOR RESEARCH/PROFESSIONAL INTEREST
  1. Cancer Research (RECNAC II Project)
  2. Non-toxic Chemotherapeutic Agents
  3. Nutritional Oncology, Orthomolecular Medicine
  4. Pharmacological Nutrition
RECNAC II is a research initiative aimed to the development of effective, non-toxic cancer treatments. The group is steered by three investigators who suffered a personal loss due to cancer. RECNAC is cancer written backwards, meaning that our ultimate goal is to develop a protocol that will revert the cancer process. RECNAC II project is inspired by Dr. Hugh Riordan’s RECNAC project of the Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning, Wichita, Kansas. RECNAC II has three ongoing pilot projects, one with biological response modifiers (specially vitamin C) as anticancer agents in which preliminary laboratory data obtained has been encouraging. Another study examines the mitochondrial function of malignant cells. The third project The third project deals with how changes in dietary fatty acids affect tumor growth.
  1. Guzmán, Josué, Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail: jguzman@rcm.upr.edu
    http://www.rcm.upr.edu/PublicHealth/bio-epi/BE_J_Guzman.htm

    My research interests are:
  1. Applied statistical theory and methods in biomedical research
  2. Clinical Trials
  3. Survival Analysis
  4. Disease Mapping
  5. Statistical Computing
  6. Probability Samplin
  1. Mansilla Rivera, Imar, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)
    e-mail:imansilla@rcm.upr.edu

    I am interested in the fate and transport of pollutants in the environment and their impact on the communities´ health, exposure assessment to trace elements, community organizing for environmental health, and adverse health outcomes associated with environmental pollutants and hazards. We are currently working on research projects related with:
  1. Exposure to trace elements in children and other susceptible populations
  2. Determination of metals in Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and other estuarine systems.
  1. Miranda, Margarita, Ph.D., M.P.H.E. (Professor)
    e-mail:mimiranda@rcm.upr.edu

    The Institute on Developmental Disabilities has a major role introducing innovation in the service delivery system directed to individuals with developmental disabilities. Best Practices and new service models are developed.

    There are four ongoing major projects:
  1. A Community Intervention alternative to the Development of Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: a Demonstration Project;
  2. Early Intervention Services in an Inclusive Day Care Center;
  3. Self Advocacy and Empowerment of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities in the Puerto Rican Culture: a Demonstration Project;
  4. Health Services for the Elderly with Developmental Disabilities, an Exemplary Service.
  1. Nazario, Cruz María, Ph.D. (Associate Professor)
    e-mail:cnazario@rcm.upr.edu

    I am interested in designing, planning and conducting of clinical epidemiological research in the area of chronic disease, particularly in cancer. I am working in several projects related with breast cancer and in other projects in different areas of public health.

  2. Ortiz, Ana P., M.P.H., Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)
    e-mail:aportiz@rcm.upr.edu

    She is currently collaborating as an investigator in six (6) active grants, from which she is the principal investigator, The Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Schizophrenia: Puerto Rico, 2001-2003). In collaboration with Dr. Erick Suárez, she is mentored epidemiology and biostatistics graduate students in the project: Clinical conditions associated wit environmental exposures: an epidemiologic study of two communities in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico. In addition, she is working in data analysis of cancer registries from PR and the US. With this analysis they are comparing cancer incidence trends in Puerto Ricans and US Hispanics.

  3. Pérez Perdomo, Rosa, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail:rperez@rcm.upr.edu

    I am interested in descriptive and analytical epidemiology of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and end-stage renal diseases. I am also interested in occupational epidemiology and AIDS related topics. We are conducting the following research projects:
  1. Childhood cancer in Puerto Rico, morbidity and mortality trends, 1979-1994.
  2. Low birthweight by census tracks in Puerto Rico, 1996.
  3. End-stage renal diseases in Puerto Rico, morbidity, mortality and survival, United States Renal Data System, 1975-1992.
  1. Rodríguez Sierra, Carlos, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor)
    e-mail:crodriguez@rcm.upr.edu

    I am interested in the determination of trace metals in the environment, particularly in aquatic systems, and in humans. I am also interested in conducting human health risk assessment.

  2. Rosario-Rosado, Rosa V., M.S., Dr.P.H. (Adjunct Professor)
    e-mail:rrosario@cayey.upr.edu

    Dr. Rosario-Rosado is actually working in three research projects at the Neuro AIDS Program under the direction of Dr. Edmundo Kraiselburd:
  1. Monocyte Immunity and HIV-Induced Dementia (Dr. Loyda M. Meléndez, PI) The purpose of this study is to elucidate putative viral and immune factor(s) that are produced in the peripheral immune system that lead to neural injury.
  2. HIV Sensory Neuropathy: Age, Risk Factors and Immunopatholoy (Dr. Carlos Luciano, PI) This study collects important data about determinants of neuropathy among Puerto Rican children and adults.
  3. Pathophysiology of HIV Dementia in Women (Dr. Valerie Wojna, PI) This study is directed to evaluate whether an association exists between gonadal hormone dysfunction and HIV associated dementia. The clinical and epidemiological relevance of these projects are: they are innovative since they collect unique neurological data in a well-defined minority population; they are part of a collaborative effort between UPR, the Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
  1. Sánchez-Ayendez, Melba, Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail:msanchez@rcm.upr.edu
  1. Gerontology
    Social and gender differences in aging; older adults in Puerto Rico; access to and utilization of health care services among elderly Puerto Ricans, informal support systems of older adults; elderly and middle-aged women; familial primary caregivers to the older adult; the family in later life; women and health; cultural aspects of aging and old age; middle aged women and social aspects of adaptation to menopause; middle-aged women and care-giving to family members; social components in the utilization of health services
  2. Health promotion and health literacy
    Cultural aspects of health promotion programs, cancer communication, breast cancer health promotion programs; health promotion programs for the elderly; health promotion programs for low-literacy Spanish-speaking women
  1. Santos Ortíz, María del Carmen, Ph.D. (Associate Professor)
    e-mail:msantos@rcm.upr.edu

    My research work is related to women's health, human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, pediatric asthma, school psychology, health psychology, health promotion and education, adolescents and elderly people. Women's health research has been more in the area of sex workers and women with HIV/AIDS. Variables such as: socio-demographic factors, quality of life, preventive and risk behaviors, gender issues, and safer sex and sexual practices are being studied.

    I am also working with older people, sexual practices, and HIV/AIDS knowledge and risk perception. I am interested in evaluating health promotion and education activities. One area of concern is how this activity contributes to promote and maintain healthy behavior.

  2. Vélez, Carmen Noemí, Ph.D. (Professor)
    e-mail:cvelez@rcm.upr.edu

    My research interests range from prevention to interventions concerning HIV risk behaviors. I have been involved as a Principal Investigator in a three year, CDC funded study of high school adolescents and their mothers. The study investigated family related factors associated with protective and risk factors for HIV behaviors. Analyses of this data set is ongoing. I am also involved in a project geared towards developing and refining an intervention strategy to reduce HIV risk behaviors among adolescents. In addition I currently serve as consultant on two projects dealing with the empowerment of HIV+ women and gay men. In 1996 I collaborated with a larger study of patients receiving services mandated by the Ryan White Act. The part of the study I was responsible for entailed interviewing patients as well as providers about needs and satisfaction with services provided and received.

  3. Vera, Mildred, Ph.D. (Associate Professor)
    e-mail:mvera@rcm.upr.edu

    My research work has aimed at the study of social, psychological and biological aspects that impact the physical and mental health status of disadvantaged populations in the island. Specifically, my research interests have addressed the following areas:

  1. The study of risk factors for HIV infection among adolescents residing in high risk areas is an area of priority. This project examines the impact of adolescents' social networks on their HIV risk behaviors.
  2. Major research efforts have targeted the health status of Puerto Rican women. We have examined the prevalence of HIV infection and other STDs for women involved in prostitution and injected drug users. We propose to obtain a better understanding of the risk and protective behaviors among this population.
  3. The use of mental health services among Puerto Ricans residing in poor areas is another area of interest. We have bee involved in a longitudinal study of help
  4. Seeking behavior for mental health problems among and islandwide representative sample of residents of poor areas in the island. We further propose to examine the impact of health care reform in the use of mental health services among our study population.
Back to Research Interests Main Page
Contact:
Emma Fernández-Repollet,Ph.D.
Program Director
RCMI Program
Room 621-A, 6th. floor
Main Building, Medical Sciences Campus
GPO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067
Email: efernandez@rcm.upr.edu
Telephones:
Voice (787) 763-9401
FAX (787) 758-5206


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