Scientific Day Highlights Innovation in Precision Nutrition, Omics, and Artificial Intelligence
Shaping the Future of Chronic Disease Management Through Precision Nutrition, Omics, and AI.
Event Overview
On May 6, the Alliance celebrated its 15th Scientific Day, bringing together faculty, researchers, students, and community collaborators to showcase advances in clinical and translational research. This year’s program focused on innovative approaches to the prevention and management of chronic diseases in Puerto Rico and beyond.
The event emphasized the continued impact of chronic conditions—including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease—which remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Puerto Rico. Presentations explored how emerging tools such as metabolomics, proteomics, dietary biomarkers, and artificial intelligence can help improve disease prevention, personalize health recommendations, and promote better health outcomes across diverse communities.
Shilpa N. Bhupathiraju, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Assistant Professor of Nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, presented
“From Cells to Communities: Omics-Informed Precision Nutrition for Cardiometabolic Disease.”
A major theme throughout the day was the promise of precision nutrition: moving beyond population-based dietary recommendations toward approaches that reflect each person’s unique biological, metabolic, and environmental profile. Speakers also highlighted the importance of validating biomarkers, integrating high-resolution biological data with community-based research, and ensuring that innovation helps reduce—not widen—gaps in health outcomes.
Featured Speakers and Project Presenters
The program included a plenary presentation and Alliance-supported project presentations highlighting the breadth of clinical and translational research being advanced across participating institutions.
Speaker and Presenter Gallery
Awards and Recognitions
Scientific Day also celebrated outstanding scientific contributions through poster awards, scientific productivity awards, and a special professional trajectory recognition.
Award Recipient Gallery
Yisel M. Cantres-Rosario, PhD
Scientific Day Activities
Through oral presentations, poster sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions, participants shared a wide range of research efforts that reflect collaboration, innovation, mentorship, and a shared commitment to improving health in Puerto Rico and beyond.
Event Gallery
Looking Ahead
As the Alliance celebrates 30 years of the Clinical Research Center, Scientific Day served as a meaningful reminder of the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and sustained investment in research infrastructure. The event underscored the Alliance’s commitment to advancing scalable, innovative, and equitable solutions for the prevention and management of chronic diseases.
The Alliance is supported by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences under Award No. P50GM133807.
