The Hispanic Clinical and Translational Research Education and Career Development (HCTRECD) program at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-MSC) has a documented track record of increasing diversity in clinical and translational research by supporting research career development of Hispanics since 2002. Our program consists of formal research training (Phase I) through an established institutionally supported post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Research (MSc). We have already enrolled 89 health professionals from multiple disciplines, including medicine, occupational therapy, audiology, dental medicine, nursing, pharmacy and psychology, among others. These scholars have become leaders in clinical and translational research and health disparities and have produced 150 peer revie wed publications and 62 grant submissions on topics that disproportionately affect Hispanics. The most qualified graduates from Phase I compete to receive additional support for advanced clinical research experiences through Phase II. We have been successful in supporting 10 phase II scholars who have moved on to become independent clinical researchers. In addition, our program has contributed new knowledge on how to recruit and train professionals from underrepresented groups through active leadership in national programs and a productive publication record. The research that has been supported by the HCTRECD has added important knowledge to relevant areas of health disparities research among Hispanics including cancer, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, infant/maternal health, and mental health. The purpose of this renewal application is to develop and implement innovations that will strengthen our program. These enhancements will lead to more Hispanics entering the clinical and translational research workforce and t o new knowledge on how to reduce health disparities. Our proposed improvements are based on what we have learned from our 14-year trajectory training Hispanic clinical researchers. The overall goal of the HCTRECD program is to increase the number of Hispanics performing clinical and translational research while also increasing the knowledge on the causes and interventions that can help reduce health disparities. In order to continue pursuing this goal, we will now achieve the following specific aims: 1) Enhance the didactic program by providing our scholars with individualized training on advanced research tracks such as precision medicine, patient centered methodologies, population health and clinical trials and 2) Enrich the mentored research experiences to address the individual clinical and translational research skills needs of our scholars.

Public Health Relevance

The Hispanic Clinical and Translational Research Education and Career Development (HCTRECD) program at the University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-MSC) will continue to increase the number of Hispanics performing clinical and translational research while also increasing the knowledge on the causes and interventions that can help reduce health disparities. In order to continue pursuing this goal, we will enhance the didactic program by providing our scholars with individualized training on advanced research tracks such as precision medicine, patient centered methodologies, population health and clinical trials. We will also enrich the mentored research experiences to address the individual clinical and translational research skills needs of our scholars.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Education Projects (R25)
Project #
2R25MD007607-16
Application #
9340480
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMD1-XLN (J1))
Program Officer
Das, Rina
Project Start
2002-09-24
Project End
2022-01-31
Budget Start
2017-06-01
Budget End
2018-01-31
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$481,062
Indirect Cost
$31,368
Name
University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
Department
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
948108063
City
San Juan
State
PR
Country
United States
Zip Code
00936
Yordan-Lopez, Nicole; Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Marrero-Ortiz, William et al. (2018) Challenges and Opportunities After Hurricane Maria: University of Puerto Rico Medical Students' Perspectives. J Grad Med Educ 10:382-384
Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Botton, Mariana R; Scott, Stuart A et al. (2018) Pharmacogenetic association study on clopidogrel response in Puerto Rican Hispanics with cardiovascular disease: a novel characterization of a Caribbean population. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 11:95-106
Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Núñez-Medina, Hector; Scott, Stuart A et al. (2018) Effect of cilostazol on platelet reactivity among patients with peripheral artery disease on clopidogrel therapy. Drug Metab Pers Ther 33:49-55
Yordan-Lopez, Nicole M; Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Marshall-Perez, Lorraine et al. (2018) Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis of the Tricuspid Valve in a Male Patient with Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Cureus 10:e2695
Lopez-Candales, Angel; Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Osterman-Pla, Anthony D et al. (2018) A Reminder From the Devastation Hurricane Maria Left Behind. Cureus 10:e2038
Estape, Estela S; Quarshie, Alexander; Segarra, Barbara et al. (2018) Promoting Diversity in the Clinical and Translational Research Workforce. J Natl Med Assoc 110:598-605
Lopez-Candales, Angel; Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Menendez, Francisco Lopez (2018) Are Measures of Left Ventricular Longitudinal Shortening Affected by Left Atrial Enlargement? Cardiol Res 9:1-6
Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Tomassini-Fernandini, Jonnalie C; Cuevas, Angelica et al. (2018) Clinical Relevant Polymorphisms Affecting Clopidogrel Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: Insights from the Puerto Rico Newborn Screening Program. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15:
Hernandez-Suarez, Dagmar F; Rodriguez-Ruiz, Christina; Malavé-Sánchez, Melanie et al. (2018) Adapt and Evolve: How our Internal Medicine Residency changed in Hurricane Maria. P R Health Sci J 37:3-4
Ralat, Sandra I; Depp, Colin A; Bernal, Guillermo (2018) Reasons for Nonadherence to Psychiatric Medication and Cardiovascular Risk Factors Treatment Among Latino Bipolar Disorder Patients Living in Puerto Rico: A Qualitative Study. Community Ment Health J 54:707-716

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