News 2005-2006
2005-2006
4th International Wolbachia Conference
Approximately one hundred investigators, post doctoral fellows and graduate students from five continents and eighteen countries, ranging from Brazil to Sudan, Australia to Holland came to Puerto Rico for the 4th International Wolbachia Conference that was held at the Paradisus Resort, June 24-29, 2006.
Dr. José G. Conde, Associate Director of the RCMI Program and Director of the Center for Information Architecture in Research, Named Co-chair of the ResearchChannel Internet2 Working Group
Dr. José G. Conde, Associate Director of the RCMI Program and Director of the Center for Information Architecture in Research, was named Co-chair of the of the ResearchChannel Internet2 Working Group on April 5, 2006. Dave Devereaux-Weber, Network Engineer at the Division of Information Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, is the other co-chair of the group.
Construction Phase of the Molecular Science Building of the University of Puerto Rico Announced in a Special Ceremony
The University of Puerto Rico aims to construct a 152,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art research facility for the Molecular Sciences, which has strong potential for economic development opportunities in Puerto Rico. This building will provide the arena for cutting-edge research in the molecular and other related sciences, and will contribute to Puerto Rico’s development in Science and Technology, helping to make the Island a competitive player in the growing economy of knowledge.
Dr. Walmor De Mello appointed International Mentor of the American Heart Association
Dr. Walmor De Mello, Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology at the School of Medicine, was appointed International Mentor of the American Heart Association. The American Heart Association is in the process of establishing a new International Mentoring Program for young physicians and scientists located outside the United States.
Re-engineering the Partnership: Submit of the University- Industry Congress
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, attended the Re-engineering the Partnership: Submit of the University-Industry Congress hosted by the Government-University- Industry Research Roundtable held at the National Academy of Sciences on April 25, 2006.
RCMI Program Directors Meeting Organized by Howard University
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, RCMI Program Director and Dr. José G. Santiago, Associate Program Director attended the Spring Meeting of the RCMI Program held at the Embassy Suites Hotel at the Chevy Chase Pavilion on April 24, 2006. The meeting was organized by Howard University.
Puerto Rico Conference Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Emma Fernandez-Repollet, Director of the RCMI Program and Vice President for Research and Technology was a guest speaker at the Puerto Rico Conference for Investment and Development. The conference was organized by the PR Chamber of Commerce as a forum in which investors and entrepreneurs were able to learn about the excellent opportunities our island offers to operate a successful business. Dr. Fernandez-Repollet participated in the session "Research and Development: A Unique Partnership with the Academic Area".
RCMI Program Director Emma Fernández-Repollet attended the Biotechnology Industry Organization Expo-2006 in Chicago
During April 7-12, 2006, Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Vice President for Research and Technology and RCMI Program Director, attended the Biotechnology Industry Organization meeting in Chicago, IL. She joined a delegation of the University of Puerto Rico, including President Antonio Garcáa Padilla and Chancellors, José R. Carlo, Gladys Escalona de Motta, Jorge Vélez Arocho, Hilda Colón and Ram Lamba.
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet Chairs Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Special Emphasis Panel for the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) at the NIH
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Vice President for Research and Technology and RCMI Program Director, chaired the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) Special Emphasis Panel held on March 14 and 15, 2006 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The grant applications covered a broad range of technical areas from microbiology, cellular and molecular biology, stem cells, genetics, nutrition, cancer, to neuroscience and endocrinology, and many other areas.
Dr. Fernandez-Repollet participates in the “Forum for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The New Frontiers in Economic Development”
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Director of the RCMI Program and Vice President for Research and Development, participated as one of the invited panelists in the Forum for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The New Frontiers in Economic Development sponsored by the Puerto Rico Techno-Economic Corridor (PRTEC) and the Puerto Rico Economic Development Company (PRIDCO). The Forum was held in the Mayaguez Resort and Casino on March 10, 2006.
Dr. José G. Rigau Pérez visits University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus and the Sigma Xi Scientific Society sponsored the visit of Dr. José G. Rigau, member of the Academia Puertorriqueña de la Historia on April.
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus receives Rick Tarleton, PhD, Professor from the University of Georgia
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus sponsored the visit of Dr. Rick Tarleton, Professor from the University of Georgia, on April 5, 2006.
Graduate Student from the UPR Medical Sciences Campus selected to represent the RCMI Program at the 56th Meeting of Nobel Laureates
Raissa Menéndez-Delmestre, a Ph.D. student in the department of Physiology, has been selected as one of the graduate students that will represent the RCMI Program at the 56th Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Lindau, Germany June 25-30, 2006.
Center for Information Architecture Staff Participate in GCRC’s Annual Meeting
Staff from the Center for Information Architecture in Research (CIAR) attended the General Clinical Research Center's National Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, on April 15-18, 2006.
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus Receives Dr. Hugh B. Nicholas Jr. from Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus sponsored the visit of Dr. Hugh B. Nicholas Jr., Senior Scientific Specialist from the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center on August 19, 2005. Dr. Nicholas presented the seminar Changing substrate specificity by remodeling domain interfaces in glutathione transferases.
Nicolas Linares-Orama, Ph.D. Appointed to NIH Director's Council of Public Representatives
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has selected Nicolas Linares-Orama, Ph.D to serve as member of the Director’s Council of Public Representatives (COPR). Since 1999 COPR has advised the NIH Director on issues of public importance.
Xth RCMI International Symposium
The First Planning Meeting for the Xth RCMI International Symposium was held on December 6-7, 2005 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The meeting was attended by Dr. Emma Fernández and Dr José Conde from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus; Dr. Eddy Ríos, Universidad Central del Caribe, and Dr. Yasuhiro Yamamura, Ponce School of Medicine.
Dr. Carmen Zorrilla Named to NIH's Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) announced today the appoint ment of Dr. Carmen Zorrilla, Professor in the Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, to the agency’s Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health (ACRWH).
Dr. Ulrich Mueller, Licensing Director, Office of Technology Transfer at MD Anderson offers seminar at the University of Puerto Rico
Dr. Ulrich Mueller, Director of Licensing at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas University presented a seminar about "Maximizing Commercialization Strategies for University-based Technologies" on February 23, 2006. The seminar was sponsored by the Vice Presidency for Research and Technology in an effort to disseminate information about technology transfer and the commercialization of intellectual property.
DHS Secretary designates Dr. Glorisa Canino as a member of the National Advisory Mental Health Council
Dr. Glorisa Canino, Director of the Behavioral Sciences Research Institute was designated by the Secretary of the Department of Health Services of the United States, to serve as a member of the National Advisory Mental Health Council at the National Institutes of Health.
Five Doctorates in Philosophy awarded during the XXXIXth Commencement Ceremony of the Medical Sciences Campus
The University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-MSC) celebrated its XXXIXth Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 3, 2005 at the Rubén Rodríguez Coliseum in Bayamón, PR. The ceremony was officiated by President Antonio García Padilla and Chancellor José R Carlo.
Lesbia Hernández, Dean of the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy
Dr. Lesbia Hernandez has been named Dean of the School of Medicine effective February 18, 2006. Dr. Hernández a graduate from the University of Puerto, Rico School of Pharmacy, obtained her PharmD. degree at the University of Michigan. In addition, Dr. Hernández has an M.P.H. degree from the University of Puerto Rico, School of Public Health.
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Director of the RCMI Program, attended the February meeting of the Government University Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR)
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet, Director of the RCMI Program, attended the February meeting of the Government University Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington DC. Dr. Fernández-Repollet attended the meeting as a guest of Dr. Wayne C. Johnson, Vice President for University Relations Worldwide, Hewlett-Packard Company.
Dr. Walter Frontera, Dean of the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Dr. Walter Frontera a pioneer in health, exercise and aging research at Harvard University has been recruited as the new Dean of the School of Medicine. Dr. Frontera a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine was also the Earle P and Ida S Charlton professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard’s Medical School.
Dr. Sylvette Ayala inaugurates his research laboratory in the Department of Pharmacology
On January 27, 2006, Dr. Sylvette Ayala, inaugurated her research laboratory at the UPR Medical Sciences Campus. Dr. Ayala joined the faculty of the Department of Pharmacology in December, 2005.
Dr. Daniel Colón’s article highlighted by the Nature Structure and Molecular Biology journal
The most recent publication of Puerto Rican investigator Daniel Colón, Damon Runyon Postdoctoral Fellow, at Stanford University was highlighted in the cover of the February, 2006 issue of the Nature Structure and Molecular Biology journal.
RCMI 20th Anniversary Symposium at Hunter College
A one-day symposium entitled "Minorities, Race, Genomics and Health Inequities: What are the Connections?" was held at Hunter College on Friday, December 9th, 2005 in Room 714 HW, located in the West Building at Hunter College.
Dr. Marco A. Sánchez, Research Assistant Professor from Oregon Health and Sciences University visits University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus sponsored the visit of Dr. Marco A. Sánchez, Research Assistant Professor from the Oregon Health & Sciences University on November 15-16, 2005.
“Structural Analysis Quickstart” seminar and workshop held at the Medical Sciences Campus
The NCBI mini-course "Structural Analysis Quickstart", co-sponsored by the RCMI AIDS and Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus, the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and the Center for Information Architecture in Research, was celebrated on December 2, 2005 at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus (MSC).
Dr. Paul Bayman, Professor of the Department of Biology, UPR-Rio Piedras visits UPR-Medical Sciences Campus
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus and the Sigma Xi Scientific Society sponsored the visit of Dr. Paul Bayman, Professor of the Department of Biology, UPR-Rio Piedras on November 1st, 2005.
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet elected to the Board of the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust
The Puerto Rico Science, Technology & Research Trust (S&T Trust), a non-profit institution that defines and implements the Island’s public policy for science & technology research & development, announced the composition of its Board of Trustees. Motivated by the government's desire to diversify Puerto Rico’s economy, the S&T Trust is charged with implementing an integrated model for S&T that drives economic development on the Island.
Andrew Waters, PhD, Professor from Leiden University Medical Centre visits University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus sponsored on January 26, 2006 the visit of Dr. Andrew Waters, Professor and internationally recognized scientist from Leiden University.
Dr. Emma Fernández-Repollet Nominated by NCRR to Serve on the Advisory Committee that Will Evaluate the BRIN/INBRE Program
Dr. Emma Fernandez-Repollet has been invited to participate in the NCRR Advisory Committee that will evaluate the BRIN/INBRE Program. This program is a major component of NIH's Institutional Development Award (IDeA) initiative, and is designed to enhance the research capacity and competitiveness of institutions located in IDeA-eligible states (i.e., those states that have traditionally been less successful in competing for NIH grant awards).
RCMI Program Directors Meeting
The Directors of the RCMI Program met on December 10, 2005 at Hunter College, NY. Dr. Robert Dottin, RCMI Program Director, hosted the meeting which was held at the President's Conference Room, located in the East Building at Hunter College.
University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus receives Dr. Blanca P. Ayala, Research Assistant Professor from Oregon Health and Sciences University
The RCMI AIDS and Emerging Infectious Diseases Program at the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus sponsored the visit of Dr. Blanca P. Ayala, Research Assistant Professor from the Oregon Health & Sciences University on November 17-18, 2005.
Governor Signs Proclamation of Biotechnology Week
The Secretary of Economic Development and Commerce and Executive Director of PRIDCO, Hon. Jorge P. Silva Puras, delivered the Governor’s Proclamation acknowledging the initiation of the Biotechnology Week which will extend from September 19-23, 2005.
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.
RCMI Principal Investigators Meeting
Principal Investigators of the RCMI Program met in Bethesda, MD. on September 14, 2004. The meeting was organized by Dr. T. Joan Robinson, Principal Investigator at Morgan State University. Dr. Barbara Alving, Acting Director, NCRR and Dr. Dr. Sidney A. McNairy, Jr., Associate Director, NCRR, Division of Research Infrastructure greeted the participants from the nineteen RCMI institutions.
