Associate Dean for Biomedical Sciences

Departments

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Studies

Anatomy

• Mammalian CNS molecular and cellular changes linked to reproductive health after exposure to androgens during puberty

• Visual system nerve regeneration in vertebrates

• Central pattern generators and control of locomotion in mammals

• Mammalian functional morphology and biomechanics and neural control of locomotion and posture

• Steroid effects on CNS synaptic physiology, neural structure, and behavior

• Macromolecular structure and function of skeletal and cardiac muscle

• Aging of vertebrate visual systems

• Mammalian visual system; expression of neuroactive substances in the circadian visual system

• Cellular basis of natural behavior patterns in invertebrates; neuropeptides

• Sexual dymorphism and the role of mGlu receptors in regulating anxiety and emotional memory in the mammalian CNS

• Neural basis of aggressive behavior in a crustacean model

• Skeletal aging and functional morphology of non-human primates
  

Biochemistry

• Cell signaling and Angiogenesis, Dolichol Cycle and Cell Cycle Dynamiscs, Glycorprotein Biochemistry, Catecholamine Homeostasis, Breast Cancer, Glucose Transporter, and Type I Diabetes.

• Hormonal Regulation of Gene Expression; Genetic Diseases affecting Puerto Ricans.

• Molecular & Genetic Alterations during Tumorigenesis.

• Mechanisms of Lens Aging and Cataract Formation; Redox Active Components in Aqueous Humor; Oxidative Stress; Protein Biochemistry.

• Molecular and Environmental Toxicology.

• Nutritional Epidemiology.

• Modulation of Eukaryotic transcription by Stressor Agents.

• Function of Myosin II in Yeast.

• Biochemical and Pharmacological Processes of Antiretroviral and Anticancer Drugs.
  

Microbiology and Medical Zoology

• Signal transduction involved in mycobacterium-macrophage interactions.

• Pathobiology of Cryptococcus neoformans, yeast susceptibilities to antimycotic agents, environmental fungal allergens and fungal contamination in buildings.

• Characterization of mites antigens involve in allergic reactions and asthma. Production of monoclonal antibody.

• Characterization of T- and B-cell epitopes of multiple antigenic peptides for a Fasciola/Schistosoma cross-reactive vaccine. Humoral and cellular immune response against a novel Fasciola hepatica vaccine candidate delivered as recombinant or DNA vaccine.

• Antigenicity and ultrastructure of medically important nematodes, parasite host communication and Wolbachia symbionts of filariae.

• Design and evaluation of DNA vaccines against human and simian immunodeficiency viruses. Research in NeuroAIDS.

• Immune functions and pathogenesis of HIV infections. Mechanisms of apoptosis in HIV-infected cells.

• Development of Dengue DNA vaccines. Crossprotection among flaviviruses in the mouse model.

• Immunology of human immunodeficiency virus; Proteomics of HIV inhibitory factors in placental macrophages; Monocyte immunity and HIV dementia.

• Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in gram-positive cocci, Helicobacter pylori and gram negative bacilli. Molecular characterization of β -lactamases and Molecular Epidemiology.

• The mechanisms involve in signal transduction in the regulation in the expression of dimorphism in fungi utilizing Sporothrix schenckii as a model system.

• Molecular mechanisms of drug resistance in malaria; Plasmodia parasite biology; Genetic manipulations in rodent malaria; “In vivo” testing of potentials anti-malarials.

• Molecular characterization of horizontal transfer of β-lactamase plasmids in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

• Molecular mechanisms and epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance in Gram negative bacteria. Experimental therapies for HIV/AIDS infected patients (AIDS Clinical Trials Unit).
  
  

Pharmacology and Toxicology

• Oxidative stress, mitochondrial DNA repair, aging, neurodegeneration.

• Molecular, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of head and neck cancer; detection biomarkers for treatment and prevention.

• Heart pharmacology, Renin Angiotensin System Cell Communication.

• Role of T-cells in Diabetes Mellitus; Development of Transgenic Animal Models.

• Toxicology, chemical carcinogenesis, biomarkers, and risk assessment.

• Modulation of neurotransmitter uptake and release in experimental neurological models.

• Computer simulation of pharmacokinetics; contagious diseases.

• Biomarkers of head and neck cancer; clinical and molecular epidemiology of head and neck cancer.
  

Physiology

• Neuroscience: Nervous System Development & Regeneration; Neuroendocrinology of Reproduction; Neurophysiology of Drug Addiction.

• Cardiovascular Physiology: Vascular Wall Biology; Heart Failure and Artheriosclerosis.

• Respiratory Physiology: Airway Smooth Muscle Physiology.

• Endocrine Physiology: Sex Steroids and Drug Abuse.

• Exercise Physiology: Exercise Physiology and Aging.

• Cellular and Molecular Physiology: Glia Cells Caveolae; Molecular Aspects of Spinal Cord Regeneration; Molecular Genetics of Aging.