Research

Research

Ponce Research Institute is a 501 c.3 non-profit entity that provides the research infrastructure support for an exceptional group of scientists and research staff.  Our researchers are committed to solving some of the most pressing health challenges facing Hispanic communities, in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, infectious diseases, women’s health, community-based research, and e-health initiatives. PRI provides modern research facilities that foster collaborative, integrative research.  We have various ongoing collaborations within Puerto Rico, as well as with many institutions in the U.S. mainland, including a 10 year partnership with Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa.  We are leaders in clinical research in southwestern Puerto Rico, and have participated in over 275 Phase 1-Phase 4 clinical trials.  Our institutional strategic plan includes additional expansion of our research team and facilities in the next five years.  In doing so, we will not only contribute to an important body of research that will serve Hispanics across the U.S., we will also bring an influx of investment and job opportunities to our community.  I encourage you to explore the Ponce Research Institute and feel free to contact us if you need additional information.

Our Mission

Our research team is dedicated to ongoing research in the Basic, Behavioral, Public Health, and Clinical Sciences. Our mission is to make a difference by solving health disparities through groundbreaking, innovative and relevant research that has a global impact on health care.

Our Main Goal

 Strengthen and expand research activities to diversify the scientific work and reduce health disparities.

Kenira J. Thompson, Ph.D. President, Ponce Research Institute Vice-President of Research, PHSU

Welcome to the Ponce Research Institute

The Ponce Research Institute (PRI), in collaboration with the Ponce Health Sciences University, has a longstanding commitment towards conducting research that addresses Hispanic health disparities to improve the lives of the communities we serve.

PRI is dedicated to the highest standards of integrity in fulfilling its mission to grow, strengthen, promote, and safeguard our research enterprise. Our goal is to advance the excellence of research, scholarship, and creative activity in Puerto Rico by providing central services in research policy, compliance, contract development and negotiation, technology transfer, economic development, research administration, and communications. From proposal development to technology transfer, our offices assist PHSU-PRI investigators at every stage of the research process.

Given the complexity of the challenges we currently face, solutions require innovation, expertise, and infrastructure. Collaborations that engage multiple disciplines and cross the borders of the academic programs at PHSU, our affiliated hospitals as well as other partners, will leverage our strengths to produce significant outcomes. Whether we are engaging in team science with other institutions or launching joint ventures with private or public sectors, forming new partnerships is one of our priorities.

And while we have much of which to be proud in terms of research accolades, we are also very proud of the broader influence and impact our research (and service) is having on our communities. PRI and PHSU are recognized as pillars of southcentral Puerto Rico and are commonly called upon to use their knowledge for social, cultural and economic development, as well as relief efforts in time of need.

PRI researchers are viewed as trusted and reliable partners, who translate their research and mobilize their knowledge to ensure it’s placed in the hands of those who can put it to its best use. They are innovators and thought leaders, as demonstrated by their publications in leading journals, prestigious awards, and success in acquiring external funding. We will continue to expand our research enterprise with the addition of new faculty researchers, and new academic and industry collaborations.

I am proud and extremely lucky to lead such an amazing organization, with creative researchers whose work radiates throughout our community and has a major effect on our daily lives.

I encourage you to become a regular visitor to our website to learn more about the PRI.  My team and I look forward to meeting you and providing exceptional service in support of your research endeavors.

Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance is the process of following state, federal, and institutional laws or regulations relevant to research conducted with human subjects, animal models, and biohazards. Ponce Research Institute is doing so with integrity and in a safe, compliant, and ethical manner. Our institute counts with the following resources for investigators to comply with laws and regulations:

IRB is formally designated to review and monitor research involving human subjects. In general, a human subject is a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual or (2) identifiable private information.
The purpose of IRB review is to assure, both in advance and by periodic review, the appropriate steps are taken to protect the rights and welfare of humans participating as subjects in the research. To accomplish this purpose, the IRB reviews all research protocols and related materials (e.g., human subjects education, research proposals, informed consent documents, and investigator brochures) to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects of research.

Learn More

The IACUC is responsible for the oversight of the Animal Care and Use Program and its components as described in the Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Its goals are to: ensure the humane care and use of animals used in research; comply with government guidelines and regulations; and, maintain flexibility to meet the needs of the institution. To accomplish this purpose the IACUC reviews and monitors all animal protocols, veterinary care and emergency/crisis plans, provides advice on animal environment, housing and management, assesses personnel qualifications and training, and conducts regular review of the Program and facilities.

Learn More

Institutional Biosafety Committee

The PHSU Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) oversights for the implementation of safe practices in research, concerning the use of biological material that might represent a hazard for those handling it during research projects. The use of potentially hazardous biological materials in research is highly regulated by the federal agencies, the National Institute of Health (NIH), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Hazardous biological materials are those with the capacity to expose people to get in contact with infectious organisms, toxins, and recombinant nucleic acids, that may cause disease or an adverse effect to their health.
The IBC evaluates all the proposed projects where potential biological hazards are present, to guarantee the identification of the hazardous material and who may be at risk of exposure. They review the safety protocols designed to prevent exposure and the equipment available for protection. By evaluating the research protocols, the committee also ensures that all research projects at PHSU are in compliance with the institutional policies about Biosafety courses, Bloodborne Pathogens courses, protocols for Post-exposure Prophylaxis and HBV vaccination.

Programs & Partnerships ​

Research Areas

Discover research activities, initiatives, and projects.

Researchers

  • Neurosciences Division
  • Cancer Biology Division
  • Women’s Health Division
  • Mental Health Division
  • Infection Diseases Division
  • Community Outreach Division
  • Clinical Trials Research Division
  • Health Informatics Division
  • Health Disparities Division

Clinical Trials Research Division

Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate medical, surgical, behavioral, or public health interventions on people. They are the method used to find out if a new treatment is safe and effective in people, like a new drug/vaccine, diet, exercise, or medical device. Also, Clinical trials offer the opportunity to learn if a new treatment has less harmful side effects than the current standard treatment.
Community members are welcome to volunteer and participate in our clinical trials carried out at the CAIMED Center and Clinical Research Office (CRO).
At PHSU, we are committed towards improving patient care and therapeutic outcomes.  Our ambulatory clinical research center (CAIMED) is one of the largest clinical research centers in Southern Puerto Rico. At CAIMED we conduct clinical trials, which allow researchers to determine how safe and effective a new drug or treatment is. Our clinical studies involve patient volunteers, and allow us to improve patient care, provide access to the latest treatment options, and reduce the financial burden of health care. Clinical research aims to provide useful information that will improve the future of medicine and patient care. For more information on specific terms used in clinical research, please go to the Glossary of Terms section in ClinicalTrials.gov

CAIMED
Clinical Research Office

Volunteer participants are essential for clinical research to happen.  If you would like to improve medical care for future generations, or if you have a certain disease or illness; experience with a certain disease through friends or family, or have an interest in science, perhaps you could become a volunteer.

You have a choice to volunteer for a clinical study. If you agree to volunteer, our highly qualified staff will inform you on the study, and the potential risks involved. You will decide if you want to participate, and once you are in a study, you may leave it at any time.

IN THE NEWS

MORE STORIES