The Organizing Committe of the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus' 34th Annual Research and Education Forum, is pleased to announce the winners of its Research Student Competition.

Abstracts available at: http://foro2014.rcm.upr.edu/?q=abstractpdf

Oral Presentations - Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Public Health (Dr.PH) Doctorates

1st prize

A-020    Insights into the bHLH Transcription Factor TWIST2 and the Impact of Q119X Mutant in Puerto Ricans

Presenter: Carmelo Orengo Mercado, MS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry

Mentor: Carmen Cadilla, PhD

2nd prize

A-049    Tamoxifen Neuroprotective effects during Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Presenter: Jennifer M. Colón, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology

Mentor: Jorge D. Miranda, PhD

3rd prize

A-023    Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Signaling Regulation by Grape Polyphenols in Breast Cancer  

Presenter: Amílcar Rivera

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry

Mentor: Suranganie Dharmawardhane, PhD

Oral Presentations– Certificates and Fellows

1st prize

A-043    Obesity Induces Transcriptomic Changes Enhancing Cancer Hallmarks and Tumor Metabolism

Presenter: Enrique Fuentes Mattei, PhD

Institution: The University of Texas, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology

Mentors: Mong-Hong Lee, PhD & Sai-Ching Yeung, PhD

2nd prize

A-008    Assessment of Occlusal Vertical Dimension UsingTwo Clinical Methods

Presenter: Sylvia Sobrecuevas, DMD

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Prosthodontics

Mentor: Augusto Elías Boneta, DMD, MS

3rd prize

A-062    Evaluation of Dental Desensitization Protocol in a Group of Autistic Children in Puerto Rico

Presenter: Natalia Martínez Godas, DMD

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, Pediatric Dentistry Residency

Mentor: Elaine Pagán DMD, FAAPD

Oral Presentations – Professional Doctorates

1st prize (vacancy)

2nd prize

A-048    Parent-Physician Communication About Surgical Outcomes According to Hypospadias Severity

Presenter: Joanne Díaz Rodríguez, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Medicine

Mentor: Juan Carlos Jorge, PhD

3rd prize

A-009    Nutrient Intake and Gingivitis in 12 Year Old Puerto Ricans

Presenter: Frances M. Herrero, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Dental Medicine

Mentor: Omar García, DrPH

Oral Presentations – Master

1st prize (vacancy)

2nd prize (tied)

A-027    Dementia Prevention: The Next Public Health Priority in Puerto Rico

Presenter: Luis G. Díaz Logroño, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, Graduate School Public Health, Department of Gerontology

Mentor: José R. Carrión-Baralt, PhD

A-029    Invisibility: The Art of Avoiding Working with Violence Among Vulnerable Populations in the Mass Media

Presenter: Sergio Fabián Santiago Calderón, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, Graduate Public Health

Mentor: Víctor E. Reyes-Ortiz, MS, PhDc

3rd prize (tied)

A-047    An Analysis of Hypospadias According to Social Class in Puerto Rico

Presenter: Alexandra M. Canabal Montalvo, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health

Mentor: Luis A. Avilés, PhD

A-065    Percepción de riesgo de un grupo de mujeres de la comunidad universitaria del RCM-UPR y alrededores

Presenter: Miriam Ruiz Rapale, BA

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Health Education

Oral Presentations -  Undergraduate

1st prize

A-024    The Role of PhoP-PhoQ in the Regulation of Salmonella Intestinal Invasion and Pathogenicity.

Presenter: Sherley M. Rosa Santiago

Institution: University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla

Mentor: Carlos R. Ruiz Martínez, PhD

2nd prize (vacancy)

3rd prize

A-040    Enhancing the Chemosensitivity of Endometrial and Ovarian Cancer Using an Adenosine Receptor Agonist

Presenter: Carolina García

Institution: University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Department of Biology

Mentor: Russell R. Broaddus, MD, PhD (The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center)

Poster Presentations - Philosophy (Ph.D.) and Public Health (Dr.PH) Doctorates

1st prize

A-205    Quantitative Detection of Bacteria Pro-Inflammatory Genes Directly in Human Stool Samples

Presenter: Ramon Gómez Moreno, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry

Mentor: Abel Baerga Ortiz, Ph.D.

2nd prize

A-220    Mitochondrial DNA Damage and Mitochondrial Function During Acute Oxidative Stress induced by H2O2

Presenter: Yaria Arroyo

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Physiology

Mentor: Carlos A. Torres Ramos, PhD

3rd prize (tied)

A-262    Detection of Hydrogen Peroxide-induced Mitochondrial DNA Damage in H9c2 Cardiomyocytes

Presenter: Adlín R. Rodríguez Muñoz, MS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, Department of Physiology

Mentor: Carlos A. Torres-Ramos, PhD

A-269    Deep Brain Stimulation of the Ventral Sriatum Impairs Extinction of Morphine-place Preference

Presenter: Freddyson J. Martínez-Rivera, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology

Mentor: Jennifer Barreto, PhD

Poster Presentations - Certificates and Fellows

1st prize (tied)

A-127    Recurrent Malignant Triton Tumor in a Patient with NF-1: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Presenter: Mara L. Fernández, MD

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

A-274    Presence of Blood Glucose Derangement in Patients that Developed  Acute Coronary  Syndrome

Presenter: Raúl Calderín, MD

Institution: University of Puerto Rico , Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, Internal Medicine- Geriatrics Fellowship

2nd prize

A-118    Isolated Acute Abducens-Nerve Palsy Induced by Vincristine Neurotoxicity in a Pediatric Patient

Presenter: Franchesca García, MD

Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine

Mentor: Malen Echevarría, MD

3rd prize

A-112    Mantle Cell Lymphoma Mimicking B-cell Prolymphocytic Leukemia

Presenter: Raisa I. Balbuena-Merle, MD

Institution: University of Puerto Rico , Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Poster Presentations – Professional Doctorates

1st prize (vacancy)

2nd prize

A-178    Recommendations to Dental Professionals on a Social Level for Increasing OCS: A Qualitative Approach

Presenter: Daniel Díaz Rubayo

Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Dental Medicine

Mentor: Augusto Elías Boneta, DMD, MSD

3rd prize

A-166    Characterization of the Relationship Between Weight and Periodontal Disease in PR Adolescents.

Presenter: Leila Soto Villamil

Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, School of Dental Medicine, Pre doctoral Program

Mentor: Lydia M. López del Valle DMD, MPH

Poster Presentations – Master

1st prize

A-250    Obesidad, ambiente físico percibido y Estilos de vida en la comunidad Juana Matos, Cataño, PR

Presenter: Emily E. Ortiz Rolón, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico , Medical Sciences Campus, Graduate School of Public Health, Nutrition Program

Mentor: Winna T. Rivera Soto, MPH, PhD

2nd prize

A-180    Association Between Metformin® and Breast Cancer in 30-79 Year Old Women from San Juan Puerto Rico

Presenter: Carola T. Sánchez

Institution: University of Puerto Rico - Medical Sciences Campus, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Mentor: Cruz M. Nazario, PhD

3rd prize (tied)

A-088    Patrones espaciales y temporales del dengue en Puerto Rico: Una amenaza continua

Presenter: Lisandra Rosario Molina

Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health

Mentor: Pablo A. Méndez Lázaro, MS, PhD

A-254    Características y Percepciones  del Ambiente Alimentario en la Comunidad Juana Matos en Cataño, PR

Presenter: Karla M. Santos-Ocasio, BS

Institution: University of Puerto Rico , Medical Sciences Campus, Graduate School of Public Health, Nutrition Program

Mentor: Winna T. Rivera Soto, MPH, PhD

Poster Presentations – Undergraduate

1st prize

A-221    Clinical Mutation Proline-21 as a Sructure-function Probe of SRY

Presenter: Dalilah Reyes

Institution: University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, Department of Biology

Mentor: Michael Weiss, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A. (Case Western Reserve University, Department of Biochemistry)

2nd prize

A-091    Identification of Putative IL-3 3’UTR-interacting miRNAs in Jurkat T-cells

Presenter: Laura Y. Torres Cruz

Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Deparment of Biology

Mentor: Carlos I. González, PhD

3rd prize

A-276    Clinical Validation of the ICDAS for the Detection of Interproximal Dental Caries

Presenter: Anelisse Rivera-Vélez

Institution: University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, Department of Oral Biology

Mentor:  Evangelia Morou-Bermúdez, PhD