Over 180 Health and Science Research Projects Presented at the 19th PHSU–PRI Scientific Conference and 3rd RCMI Symposium on Health Disparities

More than 180 health and science research projects were presented during the 19th PHSU–PRI Scientific Conference and the 3rd RCMI Symposium on Health Disparities, hosted by Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) and the Ponce Research Institute (PRI) in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The event brought together 540 participants, including students, researchers, faculty, and experts from the scientific community, to share findings and promote knowledge in both local and global health issues.

The program featured oral presentations and scientific posters covering topics such as basic sciences, public health, psychology, clinical studies, and case reports. In addition, specialized panels were held on cancer, community health, and disparities in clinical research. The event took place at the PHSU Academic Tower and Auditorium in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

“The science being conducted in Puerto Rico, at institutions like PHSU and the Ponce Research Institute, has global impact. The discoveries generated here not only advance our understanding but also contribute tangible solutions to pressing public health challenges around the world,” said Dr. Kenira Thompson, President of the Ponce Research Institute.

During the forum, the most outstanding research projects of this year’s edition were recognized:

Basic Sciences

Poster

1. Ediancarlos Hernández-Cordero/PHSU: Altered ciliary morphology and enhanced NETosis in RSV-exacerbated neutrophilic asthma: A case-control study

2. Luis M. Rivera-Pérez/PHSU: The role of chronic stress in the dysregulation of the hypothalamus during ovarian cancer progression

3. Dorca E. Marcano-Jiménez/PHSU: Pre-Existing DENV Immunity Induces NS1 Immune Complex Formation and Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Release

Oral Presentation

1. Yobet A. Perez Perez/PHSU: The influence of fear conditioning on cocaine and sucrose seeking behavior in rats

2. Yadiel A. Rivera-López/PHSU: Chronic stress drives ovarian cancer via myeloid-derived suppressor cells infiltration and notch signaling pathway activation

3. Joel A. Orengo Orengo/PHSU: AURKA and AURKB co-inhibition as a therapeutic strategy to decrease early metastasis in TNBC

Behavioral Health (Psychology)

Poster

1. Johanny Díaz Rodríguez/PHSU: Severity of Insomnia and Coping Strategies in Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

2. Paola Del Río-Rodríguez/PHSU: Cancer related cognitive decline, trauma and potential psychological risk factors among breast cancer survivors: A narrative review

3. Christian Arroyo Rivera/Mayagüez Medical Center: The Prevalence of depression in patients and proportion of those patients who are undergoing pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy at the MMC Family Express Clinic

Oral Presentation

1. Juan José Derieux Cruz/PHSU: Developing and Implementing a Community Engagement Program for Prostate Cancer Screening in southeastern Puerto Rico

2. Valery Rivera/PHSU: The discussion of language and vocabulary related to suicide in Puerto Rican adolescents who have a history of suicidal ideation or behavior

3. Aracelis Pérez/PHSU: Relationship Between Celiac Disease, Cognition, and Mental Health: All of Us Database

Clinical Cases

Poster

1. Luis G. Ortíz-Torres/Manatí Medical Center: Severe skin lesions associated to Multiple Myeloma Therapy

2. Juan J. López Fontanet/Manatí Medical Center: Radiation Pneumonitis: The Silent Killer

3. Nicole E. Cortinas Colón/Mayagüez Medical Center: Fusarium osteomyelitis in an immunocompromised 14-year-old male: a rare complication of invasive fusariosis

Oral Presentation

1. Rebeca Bayron Adames/Manati Medical Center: Syncytial variant of nodular sclerosis Hodgkin lymphoma: A Case Report

2. Jose Diaz Albelo/Mayaguez Medical Center: Chromoblastomycosis and the Complexities of its Presentation, Diagnosis and Treatment

3. Karen Armaiz Sanchez/Manati Medical Center: From Routine Visit to Terminal Diagnosis: Uncovering Mesothelioma

Clinical Trials

Poster

1. Manuel A. Frau/PHSU: Impact of Ogilvie Syndrome Outcomes in Absence of Standard Protocols: Single-Center Experience in Puerto Rico

2. Fernando A. Ojeda Fonseca/St. Luke's Episcopal Medical Center: Assessing post-hysterectomy pain relief management of general versus combined general and regional anesthesia

3. Rebeca Bayron Adames/Manatí Medical Center: Establishing Sleep-Bundle Protocol to Improve Self-Reported Sleep Quality in Intensive Care Unit Patients

Oral Presentation

1. Jason Alers/Hospital Bella Vista: Factors associated with poor outcomes in patients hospitalized with sepsis

2. Rafael A Brito Sanchez/Centro Medico Episcopal St. Lucas: The RID Score for BPH: Using the novel Rezum Injection Density score to predict Water Vapor Transurethral Therapy Success, a prospective cohort study

3. Diana de Frias Manati/Medical Center: Long Haulers at the North area of Puerto Rico: A survey

Public Health

Poster

1. Damian U. Nwaneri/PHSU – St. Louis: Is obesity a risk factor to kidney injury and essential hypertension in black African children? A community-based comparative study

2. Ivanna B. Lorenzo Pérez/PHSU: Health status and community assessment at Ponce Health Sciences University

3. Kathiana M. Colón Cotto/PHSU: Arboviral diseases in communities from Ponce, Puerto Rico: a focus on risk factors, signs and symptoms

Oral Presentation

1. Eduardo J Zavala-Mendoza/UPR: Toward a Comprehensive and Evidence-Informed Response: Needs Assessment for Opioids, Stimulants, and Polysubstances in Puerto Rico

2. Jeannie M. Aguirre Hernández/PHSU: Protecting Our Seniors: A Cross-Sectional Study of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Uptake, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Among Adults Aged 60 and Older in the Sentinel Enhanced Dengue Surveillance System (2019-2024)

3. Bryan A. Diaz Font/PHSU: Distribution of Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes affected by environmental and climatological factors in Ponce, Puerto Rico.