Celebrating 31 Years of Neuroscience Excellence:
Highlights from the Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference 2023
The hosting institution of the 31st Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference was the Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC), School of Medicine, chaired by Dr. David Rivera-Aponte. The organizing committee included esteemed members from various institutions, such as Dr. Mark Miller, Dr. Carmen Maldonado, Dr. Emmanuel Cruz, and Dr. Zaira Mateo.
The event took place at the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus (UPRB), marking another successful opportunity for fostering communication and collaboration among students and faculty dedicated to neuroscience research. With approximately 300 participants, various plenary sessions, and a showcase of 75 posters, the event was a hub for intellectual exchange.
Plenary sessions featured distinguished speakers: Dr. Daniel Colón from Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Bianca Jones from Columbia University, Dr. Mark Harnett, and Dr. Pedro Feliciano from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Their contributions added depth and insight to the conference discussions.
An exciting addition to this year’s event was the inaugural neuro art section, allowing participants to showcase paintings, designs, and unique fluorescent microscopy images in an art exhibition. This creative initiative expanded the conference’s scope, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience.
Furthermore, the conference organizers acknowledged the valuable partnership with the UPRB, which enabled the event to be hosted for the first time in that institution, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the scientific community.
The Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference would not have been possible without Dr. Vesna Eterovic, Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the RCMI Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at the UCC, and Dr. Richard Orkand, from the UPR Puerto Rico Neuroscience Institute.
In 1992, following a research seminar Dr. Eterovic, Dr. Orkand, Dr. Pedro Ferchmin, and Dr. Richard Hann from the UCC Department of Biochemistry discussed the idea of organized an annual Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference. Roughly six months later, on November 13, 1992, the First Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference was held at the UCC in Bayamón.
As the conference continues to evolve, the Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference remains a vital platform for advancing neuroscience research, fostering collaboration, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. The continued success year after year symbolizes the enduring commitment of the scientific community to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering a legacy that transcends time.
The hosting institution of the 31st Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference was the Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC), School of Medicine, chaired by Dr. David Rivera-Aponte. The organizing committee included esteemed members from various institutions, such as Dr. Mark Miller, Dr. Carmen Maldonado, Dr. Emmanuel Cruz, and Dr. Zaira Mateo.
The event took place at the University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Campus (UPRB), marking another successful opportunity for fostering communication and collaboration among students and faculty dedicated to neuroscience research. With approximately 300 participants, various plenary sessions, and a showcase of 75 posters, the event was a hub for intellectual exchange.
Plenary sessions featured distinguished speakers: Dr. Daniel Colón from Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Bianca Jones from Columbia University, Dr. Mark Harnett, and Dr. Pedro Feliciano from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Their contributions added depth and insight to the conference discussions.
An exciting addition to this year’s event was the inaugural neuro art section, allowing participants to showcase paintings, designs, and unique fluorescent microscopy images in an art exhibition. This creative initiative expanded the conference’s scope, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of neuroscience.
Furthermore, the conference organizers acknowledged the valuable partnership with the UPRB, which enabled the event to be hosted for the first time in that institution, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the scientific community.
The Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference would not have been possible without Dr. Vesna Eterovic, Professor of Biochemistry and Director of the RCMI Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience at the UCC, and Dr. Richard Orkand, from the UPR Puerto Rico Neuroscience Institute.
In 1992, following a research seminar Dr. Eterovic, Dr. Orkand, Dr. Pedro Ferchmin, and Dr. Richard Hann from the UCC Department of Biochemistry discussed the idea of organized an annual Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference. Roughly six months later, on November 13, 1992, the First Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference was held at the UCC in Bayamón.
As the conference continues to evolve, the Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference remains a vital platform for advancing neuroscience research, fostering collaboration, and inspiring the next generation of scientists. The continued success year after year symbolizes the enduring commitment of the scientific community to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and fostering a legacy that transcends time.
Submitted Abstracts
Hispanic Caregivers’ Challenges and Barriers When Facing Type 1 Diabetes in their Adolescent Offspring
Mónica C. Nieves-Molina, HSDG, Amanda S. Varona-Negrón, HSDG, Carlos, J. Ríos-Miranda, HSDG, Sebastián A. Quintana-Rodriguez, HSDG, Alejandra S. Cuff-Morales, HSDG, Paola M. Rivera-Arroyo, HSDG, Laura La Luz-Barrios, HSDG, Marleana M. Rolón-Sanfeliz, [...]
Increased BDNF expression in the hippocampus of male and female rats in the extinction of morphine place preference
Authors: Richiez-Mateo Wilma V. 1, Torres-Rodríguez Cristal M.3, Lloret-Torres Mario2, Bonilla-Rullan Pedro3, Pagán-Ayala Roxsana2, Hernández-Román Leslievette3, Barreto-Estrada Jennifer2. Affiliations: 1Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico-Bayamón Campus 00959-1919; 2Department of Anatomy [...]
Investigating Protein Candidates Associated with Susceptibility to Stress-Induced Extinction Impairment in Female Rodents: A Proteomic Analysis
Nashaly Irizarry-Méndez B.S, Yesenia Rivera-Escobales M.Sc, Yelitza Acosta-Pierantoni B.S, Anixa Hernandez, Maria Colon and James Porter Ph.D Ponce Health Sciences University, Ponce Research Insititute, Ponce, Puerto Rico INTRODUCTION: Exposure to stress [...]
Localization of Neuropeptide Y Expression in the Nervous System of Biomphalaria glabrata, an Intermediate Host for Schistosomiasis
Natalia N. Morales-Pagán, Solymar Rolón-Martínez, Lee O. Vaasjo, Alana Rivera-Dominguez, Dina P. Bracho-Rincón, and Mark W. Miller 1 Institute of Neurobiology and 2 Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto [...]
Localization of the Neuropeptide Sensorin in Biomphalaria glabrata, an Intermediate Host for Schistosomiasis
Authors/Affiliations: Lynnette A. Martínez-Rivera1, Ivana del Valle1, Dina P. Bracho-Rincón1, and Mark W. Miller, PhD1 1Institute of Neurobiology, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, PO [...]
Long Term Memory formation process in an approach to the inhibition of DNA repair
Felipe Rosa- Colon1, Fanfan Noel1, Tugrul Giray1, Martin Giurfa2, Gabriela Giurfa2 1University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus 2Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier Keywords: Long-term memory, honey bees, DNA [...]
Multiple sequence alignment of Sod1 Cu/Zn Superoxide dismutase family and mutant Sod1-G93A protein associated to Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Neishaliz Cotto-Heredia, BS Introduction: Over 100 missense mutations in SOD1 gene have been identified in a subset of familial Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). This gene encodes for an antioxidant enzyme, superoxide [...]
Neurodegeneration associated behavior defects and Mitophagy in Caenorhabditis elegans mutant sod-1G85R as an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis model. Authors/affiliations
Authors/affiliations: Ufarry Alvarado, Axel*1, Zaidi Pons, Malik*1 and Torres Ortiz, Ceidy1,2 Department of Biomedical Sciences1, Department of Natural Sciences2, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto Rico. Introduction: Amyotrophic Lateral [...]
Opioid abuse disorder is one of the cognitive disorders that significantly affects the CNS, and its sustained use may lead to drug dependency despite harmful consequences.
Authors: 1Rosado-Rodríguez, Fabiana Z., 2Richiez-Mateo, Wilma, 3Torres-Lloret, Mario E, 3Barreto-Estrada, Jennifer L. Affiliations: 1Department of Psychology, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, 00925-253, 2Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, [...]
Potential brain-specific activation of the transcription factor Nrf2/CncC by the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in Drosophila larvae
Luna Segarra Alonzo1, Cecilia Fadhel1, Angelie Nuñez Colón1, Imilce A. Rodríguez-Fernandez1 1College of Natural Sciences, Department of Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Introduction: The gut microbiota is composed of [...]
Psychiatric Comorbidity Increases Psychosocial and Diabetes-Related Difficulties Among Depressed Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes
Paola M. Rivera-Arroyo, HSDG, Sebastián A. Quintana-Rodríguez, HSDG, & Eduardo Cumba-Avilés, PhD Institute for Psychological Research, College of Social Sciences, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, San Juan, Puerto Rico [...]
Regulation of STREX-BK Expression and Lipid Raft Association
Mario E. Lloret-Torres1, Stephanie Palacios2, Katherine Cordero Padilla1,3, Jordan, G.A. Yudowski1,3, Steven N. Treistman3 andCristina Velázquez-Marrero1,3 1University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan P.R.; 2University of Puerto Rico, Biology [...]
