Delegation from the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus Visits Washington DC

From Left:Dr. Eric Hoffman, Dr. Carmen Cadilla, Dr. José Rodríguez-Orengo, Dr. José R. Carlo and Dr. Emma Fernández

On November 4th, 2002, Dr. José R. Carlo, Chancellor of the UPR Medical Sciences Campus visited several sites in the Washington D.C. area of importance to research development. The Chancellor was accompanied by Dr. Emma Fernández Repollet, Dr. José Rodríguez-Orengo and Dr. Carmen Cadilla. The group visited the Research Center for Genetic Medicine at the Children’s National Medical Center. The Director of the Center, Dr. Eric Hoffman, received the group and provided an overview of the on-going research activities at the Center. The discussion focused on the requirements for developing a proteomics center and potential collaborations if such a facility is established at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus. The group also met with Dr. Jill G. Joseph, Director of the Center for Health Services and Community Research, whose mission it is "to investigate optimal methods for delivering preventive services and health care to children and their families".

From Left:Dr. Carmen Cadilla, Dr. José Rodríguez-Orengo, and Dr. Eric Hoffman

At their visit to the Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library at Howard University, the group toured this world-class research facility accompanied by Library Director, Dr. Larry S. Ellis. This Library is a unique health information resource for Howard University’s medical, dental, pharmaceutical, nursing and allied health sciences faculty as well as students and is also a resource for individual patients, healthcare providers, members of the local Washington, D.C. community, and professionals and researchers around the globe. Resources such as video conferencing and distance learning labs allow students and instructors to interact with other medical universities and hospitals. The telemedicine center enables local physicians to share data and discuss cases with physicians at remote sites. The Library is fully outfitted for multimedia presentations, including conference areas designed for advance computer graphic presentations.

During the visit to the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, the Chancellor and the investigators met with Ms. Claire D. Cornell, Director Federal Grants Division, to share research initiatives being conducted at the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus. Ms. Cornell expressed great interest in the concept for developing a clinical proteomics center and was very supportive of the initial efforts that Dr. Rodríguez-Orengo has made in regarding this initiative.

As a result of this visit, Ms. Cornell arranged for a meeting with Hon. Ramón Cantero Frau, Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce. In this meeting, the President of the University, the Chancellor of the Medical Sciences Campus as well as several investigators shared details of the research initiatives being developed at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus that could have a dramatic impact on the economic development of Puerto Rico.

Hon. Ramón Cantero Frau

We are confident that these initiatives will result in a productive collaboration between the government, the academic and the industry sectors in Puerto Rico.

Emma Fernández-Repollet, Ph.D.
RCMI Program

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: e.fernandez@upr.edu

Voice (787) 763-9401

FAX (787) 758-5206