San Juan Bautista School of Medicine Marks Successful 9th Interdisciplinary Research Symposium with Strong Institutional Collaboration and Student Excellence

San Juan Bautista School of Medicine is proud to share that on April 3^rd, 2025, we celebrated our 9th Interdisciplinary Research Symposium with great enthusiasm and over 150 attendees. Dr. Yaritza Inostroza, Chair of the 9th Organizing Committee, coordinated the event with the support of Dr. Shirley Valentin, Dr. Linda Perez-Laras, Mrs. Maggie Gonzalez, and the SJBSM Students Council. A special mention goes to Ms. Fabiola Rodriguez from the Nursing program for her artistic contribution to the announcement.

Dr. Yocasta Brugal, SJBSM President, and Dr. Estela S. Estape, Research Center director, thank the 9^th Organizing Committee, the presenters, evaluators, and attendees for contributing to the Symposium’s success and for making it once again a memorable occasion for networking and collaboration. We thank our distinguished plenary speakers for sharing their perspectives regarding The Road to Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention: The Intersection Between Research and Evidence-based Practice: Yaritza Inostroza, Ph.D., Rosa Janet Rodriguez-Benitez, PhD, MPH, MSc (representing Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Gomez, MPH, MD), and Gloria Ossa, APRN, AGNP-C.

We had 79 poster presentations, 42 (53%) from SJBSM and 37 (47%) from academic institutions and hospitals. Research collaboration among institutions and hospitals in the poster presentations was significant. As such, we were honored to welcome presenters and participants from 5 UPR campuses (Medical Sciences Campus, Rio Piedras, Cayey, Mayaguez and Humacao), Ponce Health Sciences University, Universidad Central del Caribe, InterAmerican University, Ana G. Mendez University, and Manati Medical Center, UPR Pediatric Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital and other hospitals and affiliates. We are pleased to share the poster presentations with the highest evaluation scores, listed by first, second, and third place in each category, with the presenting author(s), collaborating institution(s), and title.

 

 

Basic Sciences

 

1. Rolando Irizarry Álvarez (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus): The effects of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein on α7-nAChR expression in monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs)
2. Deiver Suárez Gómez (University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez): Sex Differences in Gene Expression of Schizophrenia and Autism: A Meta-Analysis in Blood and Brain Using Bioinformatics
3. José Muñiz Hernández (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Ponce Health Sciences University & University of Texas Health Sciences University): Ciliary Dynamics in Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia: Physical Characterization of the RSPH4A Founder Mutation

Clinical Research

 

1. Karina García Martínez (PR Women and Children’s Hospital: Pediatrics Residency Program): Will the application and implementation of the modified Philadelphia criteria reduce the number of unnecessary lumbar punctures in infants between 30 to 60 days old with fever in our ER?
2. Gabriela Ortiz Márquez (Ponce Health Sciences University): Evaluating Neutrophil Activation and NETosis in an Asthma Patient
3. Francisco González Landrón (Ponce Health Sciences University & University of Texas, MD Anderson): Understanding the Effect of NKTR-255 on Circulating Lymphocyte Levels Post-Radiotherapy

Case Reports

 

1. Yandy García, Adrián Naoun (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine & Caguas Mennonite Hospital): Ruptured Ovarian Cyst-Induced Hemoperitoneum Complicated by Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Antithrombin III Deficiency
2. Alondra Meléndez Cruz (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine & Caguas Mennonite Hospital): The Riddle of Rigidity: Diagnosing Stiff Person Syndrome
3. Adriana Pérez Vega (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe & University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus): Potter’s Sequence and Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease, Enduring Beyond the Neonatal Period

Behavioral Research

 

1. Linda Pérez Laras (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine): Interdisciplinary Learning Meets Translational Science: The Puerto Rico Health Justice Center’s Role in Empowering Graduate Students in Doing Trauma-Informed and Victim-Centered Research
2. Adriana de Jesús Rosado (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine): Integrating Transmedia Storytelling in Medical Education: Enhancing Clinical Reasoning and Empathy in Future Physicians
3. Alexandra Pujols Astacio (San Juan Bautista School of Medicine & UPR- Medical Sciences Campus): Geospatial Analysis of Access to Care of Obstetrical Emergencies in Puerto Rico

We thank all the authors for sharing their exciting research findings, offer our congratulations, and look forward to celebrating the 2026 San Juan Bautista School of Medicine 10^thInterdisciplinary Research Symposium!