Each year, a great number of Puerto Rican scientists are distinguished with prestigious prizes and awards. In Puerto Rico, the United States and in many parts of the world, Puerto Rican scientific talent makes itself known. Being the only network of Puerto Rican scientists in the world, it is our job to celebrate the achievements and recognitions of the members of our community. Share these stories by using #cerebrosboricuas

Have you asked yourself why our fears resurged? This has been the question that has guided the research of the neuroscientist Gregory Quirk and his group from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus to obtain the prestigious MERIT award of the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Dr. Quirk, director of the Laboratory of Fear Learning in the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, has lead to studies that aim to understand how fears from anxiety disorders from traumatic experiences could be extincted.  The excellence and oustanding record in his research led him to become the first researcher in Puerto Rico to obtain this prestigious award granted by one of the most important institutes that support biomedical research.

This highly competitive award provides long-term funding support to highly succesful researchers in areas of special importance in biomedical research whose trajectory in science is of great promise.  It brings them the opportunity to continue executing their research programs in a outstanding and creative manner without the burdens associated with grant submission for funding support.

Thus, only researchers leaders in thier fields, such as Dr. Quirk, are recognized with this award supporting their research and providing economic stability to undertake projects that may lead to major breakthroughs. This highly selective group corresponds to less than 5% of NIH-funded researchers.

Congratulations to Dr. Quirk!