Welcome Remarks: Dr. Maria Luisa Hernández, President
Student Presentations: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Presentation I
Presenter: Patricia St. Fleur from John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Biography: Patricia St. Fleur is a Cellular and Molecular Biology major with a minor in music. After graduating, she plans to apply to graduate and medical school in the hopes of completing her MD/MPH degrees. She would like her MPH to focus on the social science theories and methods that influence public health issues.
Project: Utilizing Technology to Combat Obesity
Description of the project: Obesity has developed as a major public health problem in Puerto Rico, particularly in the San Juan Metropolitan Region, where overweight and obesity is prevalent. The start of this problem may be traced back to a variety of socioeconomic, cultural, and lifestyle variables that contribute to the increased occurrence of excess body weight in the population. The prevalence of obesity varies by gender, with men being more likely to be overweight (40.4%) compared to women (33.4%), while a higher percentage of women (43.7%) are classified as obese compared to men (37.6%) (Pérez et al.). Current study underlines the critical need for preventative measures and lifestyle changes to reduce obesity in Puerto Rico. Addressing this rising epidemic would need public health measures that encourage physical exercise, diet, and nutrition education. The significant impact of these technologies is its ability to promote consistent physical activity, essential for managing and reducing obesity for not only Puerto Ricans, but for anyone who wants to lose weight. The MyFitnessPal app allows users to track their calories and weight, read detailed nutritional information, and set personalized goals. The Scosche Rhythm 24 fitness bracelet optimizes workouts by accurately tracking heart rate and integrating with over 200 fitness apps. It allows users to monitor their body’s performance and connect with other apps for an enhanced fitness experience. The Nintendo Wii console, with games like Just Dance, encourages regular physical activity through fun and engaging dance routines that can be enjoyed at home with friends and family. These technologies are important to me because they help keep me motivated and consistent on my fitness path. For higher education leaders, these technologies provide effective solutions in addressing and managing a health issue. Additionally, these technologies show developers the necessity of developing user-friendly, engaging, and comprehensive health tools that can enhance public health outcomes.
Presentation II
Presenter: Kevin Lebron, Scholar from the American Heart Association
Biography: Kevin Lebron is a senior at the UPR Cayey majoring in Chemistry. Throughout his undergrad, he had research experience in the fields of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biophysics, Analytical Chemistry, and Biochemistry (University of Puerto Rico, Vanderbilt University, and Penn State University). He is currently working at Hinton’s lab at Vanderbilt University working on aging mitochondria analyzing skeletal muscle cells. Kevin recently presented his poster at the 2nd Annual Brazilian Scientific Journey on Mitochondrial Deregulation in Pertrópolis, Brazil, and at the VSSA Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee. Also, the 2024 Diversity in Health Care Scholarship was awarded on behalf of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.
Project: Prevalence of SNPs Related to Anxiety and Depression among Caribbean Hispanic Cardiovascular Patients
Description of the project: Studies have shown that Hispanics have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) due to low socioeconomic status or limited access to education but lower mortality levels than non-Hispanic people. However, it has been proven that Hispanic cardiovascular patients is followed by an increase in psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, which can supplement the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as inflammation, high blood pressure, and cholesterol, increased cortisol levels, tachycardia, and mortality. Genetic variants within the SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) may influence genetic predisposition to this psychiatric disorder while increasing susceptibility in cardiovascular patients. SNPs are variations within our DNA in which a single nucleotide (Adenine, Tamine, Cytosine, and Guanine) is exchanged with another, causing a different arrangement within our genes. It is still unknown how psychiatric disorders are an influence within cardiovascular patients. A search was made inside our genetic database of cardiovascular patients with the selection of genetic markers identified within the patients and how anxiety and depression influence them. As objectives, blood samples are quantified and subjected to the genotyping process. This process would allow us to determine any influences between psychiatric conditions in cardiovascular patients while analyzing potential genetic variation. At the same time, utilizing bioinformatics techniques would help identify the polymorphisms present in the patient’s genes in the study.
Presentation III
Presenter: John Steven Nicho Wilson from Atenas University
Biography: John Steven Nicho Wilson was born in Florida, USA with Peruvian and Colombian roots. He is 27 years old and is a student in the Associate Degree Program in Nursing Sciences at Atenas University Dr. María Luisa Hernández. He is in his second year of university studies and his goal is to complete a Doctorate as a Nurse Anesthetist.
Project: Technological Innovation for Competency Development in Health Sciences
Description of the project: The primary objective of this project is to transform the teaching and learning process in the field of health sciences by integrating advanced technologies such as clinical simulators, virtual reality, and interactive digital platforms. The aim is to develop key professional competencies in students, such as critical thinking, decision-making in emergency situations, and the ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical contexts, in order to prepare future healthcare professionals to face the challenges of an ever-evolving clinical environment.This objective aligns with the University’s mission to provide high-quality education that is at the forefront of innovation and prepares students to perform effectively and safely in the healthcare sector.