Departments

Biomedical Sciences Graduate Studies

Research Interests from the Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology:

• 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.