RCMI Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus

Dr. Barbara Alving and Dr. Sidney McNairy, Jr.

Twentieth Anniversary of the RCMI Program Recognized at the 131st National Center for Research Resources Council Meeting

The National Center for Research Resources Council recognized in its 131st meeting the Twentieth Anniversary of the RCMI Program. The meeting was held at NIH Building 31 on September 15, 2005. In her opening remarks, NCRR Acting Director, Dr. Barbara M. Alving, recognized the uniqueness and special contributions of the RCMI Program, as well as the outstanding leadership of Dr. Sidney A. McNairy, Jr. since its inception in 1985.

The RCMI Anniversary Session initiated with a presentation by Dr. Henry Lewis, Principal Investigator at Florida A & M, entitled: "THE RCMI PROGRAM – AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE".

As part of the Anniversary Session, three RCMI investigators shared with the audience their research accomplishments in the following areas:

• LOCUS CONTROL REGIONS AND CHROMATIN-BASED GENE REGULATION IN T LYMPHOCYTES
  Dr. Benjamin Ortiz, Hunter College
  
• WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV: RESEARCH, CARE AND INSPIRATION
  Dr. Carmen Zorrilla, UPR Medical Sciences Campus
  
• CELLULAR CHOLESTEROL HOMEOSTASIS AND HIV: ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING OF VIRUS BIOLOGY AND IDENTIFICATION OF NEW THERAPEUTIC TARGET
  Dr. James Hildreth, Meharry School of Medicine

The presentations were received with enthusiasm and the investigators were praised for their contributions to improve human health.

Program Directors and Principal Investigators of the nineteen RCMI institutions attended the meeting. The University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus was represented by Principal Investigator, Dr. José R. Carlo and Program Director, Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet.

By,

EFR

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

Voice (787) 763-9401

FAX (787) 758-5206