RCMI
PHSU Specialized Center in Health Disparities
Over the past 39 years, funding through the RCMI Program at PHSU has been instrumental in the establishment and development of advanced infrastructure. The RCMI has been a key part in PHSU’s transformation from an essentially graduate education institution to a vigorous scientific research center. The Program’s contribution has helped PHSU’s faculty to increase the number and quality of publications in high-prestige indexed scientific journals in high-visibility forums both locally, nationally, and internationally. This, in turn, has impacted the positioning of the institution at a level of competitiveness that has allowed it to receive multiple grants for research and training from new biomedical scientists.
“We are extremely honored that our RCMI Program has been renewed. Certainly, in a current landscape of so much competitiveness in receiving federal funds for scientific research, this success is clear evidence of the unconditional commitment of our faculty and the quality of the work they do every day. The renovation will allow us to establish and develop a Specialized Center on Health Disparities in the southern part of Puerto Rico.
“We are extremely honored that our RCMI Program has been renewed. Certainly, in a current landscape of so much competitiveness in receiving federal funds for scientific research, this success is clear evidence of the unconditional commitment of our faculty and the quality of the work they do every day. The renovation will allow us to establish and develop a Specialized Center on Health Disparities in the southern part of Puerto Rico.
The main purpose of this Center is to promote translational research (which brings research results directly to quality medical/patient care) with a particular emphasis on the area of health challenges at the local and international level.
Our goal is to address health challenges in vulnerable populations in terms of the distribution of certain diseases, causes of death, risk factors. We are primarily focused on cancer, diabetes, neurological conditions, among others.
Our goal is to address health challenges in vulnerable populations in terms of the distribution of certain diseases, causes of death, risk factors. We are primarily focused on cancer, diabetes, neurological conditions, among others.
About Us
The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program at PHSU is dedicated to advancing biomedical and behavioral research by fostering an inclusive and innovative research environment. Our mission is to enhance research capacity, support cutting-edge scientific discoveries, and address health disparities affecting minority populations.
With state-of-the-art facilities, expert faculty, and robust research support services, the RCMI program provides investigators with the resources they need to excel. We offer funding opportunities, technical assistance, and interdisciplinary collaborations that strengthen research infrastructure and promote impactful discoveries.
Through our commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community engagement, we strive to bridge gaps in healthcare research and improve health outcomes. Whether you are a researcher, student, or community partner, we invite you to join us in driving scientific progress and making a meaningful difference.
With state-of-the-art facilities, expert faculty, and robust research support services, the RCMI program provides investigators with the resources they need to excel. We offer funding opportunities, technical assistance, and interdisciplinary collaborations that strengthen research infrastructure and promote impactful discoveries.
Through our commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community engagement, we strive to bridge gaps in healthcare research and improve health outcomes. Whether you are a researcher, student, or community partner, we invite you to join us in driving scientific progress and making a meaningful difference.
Our Goals
The major goal of the proposed Center is to elevate and build upon the established and competent RCMI Center that aims to improve community health
Specific Aims
- Enhance Ponce Health Sciences University’s (PHSU) research capacity to conduct world-class basic biomedical, behavioral, population and/or clinical/health services research.
- Enable all levels of investigators at the recipient institution to become more successful in obtaining competitive extramural support, especially from NIH, for research on diseases and conditions that disproportionately impact populations health.
- Foster an institutional environment conducive to the research career development and enhancement for post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty, and early-stage investigators.
- Enhance the tools for and conduct of research generally and specifically for improving health.
- Establish sustainable partnerships with community-based organizations to promote research efforts and the dissemination of research findings.
RCMI Newsletters
Check out our latest issues!
Administration Core
Center for Research Resources (CRR)
Vanessa Rivera-Amill, PhD
Professor, Director of CRR, Associate Dean of Biomedical Sciences
vrivera@psm.edu
vrivera@psm.edu
Mary S. Rodriguez Rabassa, PsyD
Co-Investigator of the POPZE II, Co-Investigator of the CRR
marodriguez@psm.edu
marodriguez@psm.edu
James Porter, PhD
Professor, RISE Program Associate Director, Co-Director of CRR.
jporter@psm.edu
jporter@psm.edu
Community Engagement Core (CEC)
Julio Jiménez Chávez, MD
Core Leader, Community Engagement Core, Psychiatrist, Professor
jckimenez@psm.eduMelissa Marzan Rodriguez, DrPH
Administrative and Outreach support of all CEC’s activities
mmarzan@psm.eduEida Castro, PsyD, MS
Associate Professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences
ecastro@psm.eduLuisa M Morales Torres, DrPH
Co-Investigator Community Health Education Component (HEC)
lmorales@psm.eduAxel Ramos, PhD
Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychologist
axelramos@psm.edu
axelramos@psm.edu
Fernando J. Rosario Maldonado, MPH
Community Engagement Core Coordinator, U54 Coodinator for PHSU
frosario@psm.eduStrategic Academic Research Training Core (START)
Recruitment Core
Margarita Bonilla Claudio, DMD, PhD
Assistant Research Professor at Ponce Health Sciences University
mbonilla@psm.eduMelissa Marzan-Rodriguez, DrPH
Administrative and Outreach support of all CEC’s activities
mmarzan@psm.edu
mmarzan@psm.edu
Wilfredo De Jesús Rojas, MD, FAAP, MSc
Assistant Professor - Respiratory Physiology
Marcos J. Ramos Benitez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Basic Sciences
Normarie Torres-Blasco
Assistant Research Professor, School of Behavior and Brain Sciences
normarietorres@psm.edu
normarietorres@psm.edu
Research Full Projects
James Porter, PhD
Professor, RISE Program Associate Director, Co-Director of CRR.
jporter@psm.edu
jporter@psm.edu
Anixa Hernandez
Laboratory Supervisor
Eida Castro, PsyD, MS
Associate Professor in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
ecastro@psm.eduIdhaliz Flores Caldera, PhD
Professor of Basic Sciences
iflores@psm.edu
iflores@psm.edu
Vanessa Rivera-Amill, PhD
Professor, Director of CRR, Associate Dean of Biomedical Sciences
vrivera@psm.edu