CURRICULUM VITAE ESTELA S. ESTAPE , MT, PhD, FASAHP ...

CURRICULUM VITAE 

ESTELA S. ESTAPE , MT, PhD, FASAHP 

PMB 369, Rio Hondo Avenue # 90 

Bayamón, Puerto Rico 00961 

(As of September, 2009) 

EDUCATION 

B.S. in Chemistry, Magna Cum Laude, Catholic University of Puerto Rico Ponce, (May 

1971) 

Medical Technology, Magna Cum Laude, Catholic University of Puerto Rico Ponce, 

(August, 1971) 

PhD., Pharmacology and Toxicology, Cum Laude, University of Puerto Rico, Medical 

Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico (June, 1983) 

Fellow of the National Institutes of Health (Heart, Lung and Blood Institute) 

Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences 

Campus, School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico (August 1980 - August 1983) 

Post-doctoral Training in Electrophysiological Techniques applied to isolated lens; 

Mentor: Dr. Oscar Candia, Professor of Ophthalmology, Physiology and Biophysics and 

Director of Research, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York (1989) 

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE 

Instructor, Medical Technology School Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Puerto 

Rico (August 1975 - June 1978) 

Instructor, College of Health Related Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, University 

of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico (August 1978 - June 1984) 

Director, Medical Technology Program, College of Health Related Professions, Medical 

Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico (September 1984 

- June 1985)

Curriculum Vitae 

Estela S. Estapé Garrastazu, MT, PhD 

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Interim Director, Department of Collaborative Medical Programs, (Medical Technology, 

Nuclear Medicine Technology, Cytotechnologist, Radiological Technology, Ophthalmic 

Technicians, Emergency Medical Technology), College of Health Related Professions, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (July 1985 - July 1986) 

Assistant Professor, College of Health Related Professions, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, 

Río Piedras, Puerto Rico (July 1984 – June 1987) 

Director, Medical Technology Program, College of Health Related Professions, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, Puerto Rico 

(August 1986 – May 1987) 

Associate Professor, College of Health Related Professions, 


Río Piedras, Puerto Rico (July 1987 – June 1992) 

Full Professor, College of Health Related Professions, 


Río Piedras, Puerto Rico (July 1992 – Present) 

Interim Director, Department of Collaborative Medical Programs, College of 

Health Related Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, 

Río Piedras, Puerto Rico (March 1994 – January 1995) 

Director, Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 

School of Health Professions, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, (May 1994 – Present) 

Dean, School of Health Professions, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico 

(January 1995 – Present) 

Faculty Advisor and Sponsor for Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI), 

National Institutes of Health, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, 

(1990-1991; 1993 – Present) 

Director, Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research and Graduate Certificate 

in Clinical Research, Joint programs, School of Medicine and School of Health 

Professions Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico ( August, 2001- 

Present) 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 

Medical Technologist (ASCP), Hospital San Lucas, Ponce, Puerto Rico



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(August 1971 - May 1972) 

Medical Technologist (ASCP) Champlain Valley & Physician's Hospital 

Medical Center, Plattsburgh, New York (July 1972 - June 1975) 

Pharmacologist, Merit Review Investigator of the Veterans Administration, 

San Juan Veteran's Hospital Research Service (October 1986 - 1998) 

President, Pharmacology and Toxicology Consultant Services (DBA) 

(1993 - 2007) 

Toxicology Consultant, Clendo Reference Clinical Laboratory (1993 - 2007) 

Consultant for the Health Service Research and Development Center for 

Hispanic Studies, Veterans Administration Medical Center, 

San Juan, Puerto Rico (1993 - 1998) 

Member, College of American Pathologists (CAP) Inspection Team, 

Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (1997 - Present) 

Laboratory Inspector and Consultant, National Laboratory Certification Program - 

SAMSHA, Research Triangle Institute (1998 - 2008) 

Director, Clinical Laboratory and Forensic Toxicology Expert Consultant Services, 

School of Health Professions Intramural Practice, Medical Sciences Campus, University 

of Puerto Rico (January 2008- Present). 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE 

Effect of cyclic nucleotides and calcium on intercellular communication in the heart, 

Ph.D. Thesis, Mentor: Dr. Walmor De Mello, Department of Pharmacology and 

Toxicology, Medical Sciences Campus , University of Puerto Rico (1981-1983) 

Vanadium oxyions , (1984-1985) 

a) Interference with phosphate determination 

b) Development of a calorimetric method 

c) Effect on electrical properties of cardiac muscle 

d) Effect on cardiac Na+-k+-ATPase activity 

Research Assistantship for Graduate Student Program, 1984-1986 

Hormonal regulation of intercellular communication in the heart 

(Electrophysiological studies: active and passive electrical properties), (1983-1986)



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Whole lens and localized ionic transport in normal and cataractous rat lenses, San Juan 

Veteran's Hospital Research Service, Merit Review Investigator (1986 - 1998) 

Member, Master Thesis Committee of Nadia Fernández, Dept. of Pharmacology and 

Toxicology , School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, 

1987 

Electrophysiological properties of normal and cataractous rat lenses utilizing the shortcircuit 

current technique (1989-1998) 

Mentor, PhD Thesis Committee of Nadia Fernández, Dept. of Pharmacology and 

Toxicology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, 

Proposal: "Characterization of anterior lens surface potassium transport 

by the short-circuit technique in hypertensive rats." (1992 - 2000) 

Quantitative determination of Serum Citrate by Spectrophotometry (1995) 

Quantitative determination of lead in blood and urine by Atomic Absorption - 

Graphic Furnace with Deuterium Background correction and OSHA certification 

for the clinical laboratory (1995) 

Forensic Confirmation of cocaine, cannabinoids, opiates, amphetamines and PCP 

by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry (1995-1998) 

Possible role of an endogenous Digoxin-like immunoreactive factor (DLIF) in 

cataractogenesis associated with hypertension (1993-1998) 

Co-Mentor, PhD Thesis, Ivette Torres Negrón, Department of Pharmacology and 

Toxicology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico 

(1996 - 1998) 

Principal Investigator, Research Project, "Digoxin-Like Immunoreactive Factor (DLIF): 

Potential Marker for Stroke-Proneness” Clinical Research Center, Medical Sciences 

Campus, University of Puerto Rico. (1998-1999) 

Co-mentor, PhD Thesis Committee, Patrick M. Jeanville, Pharmacology and Toxicology 

Dept., Brown University Graduate School, Providence, Rhode Island. Proposal: "Direct 

Injection and Generic Fast Gradient Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry 

techniques for the simultaneous determination of cocaine and its primary metabolites in 

human urine" (1998 - 2000) 

Mentor, graduate research projects, Master in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 

College of Health Related Professions, Medical Sciences Campus, University of 

Puerto Rico (1998 - 1999):



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Doris E. Rodríguez - "Mobile clinic evaluation and Classification of 

diabetes using the new cut-off value" 

Pablo Toyens Quintana - "Prevalence of spontaneous abortions in 

Medical technologists working in Puerto Rico" 

Brenda Ramos - "Possible relationship between ABO subgrouping 

and HDL levels in ambulatory patients" 

Co-mentor, graduate research project, Master in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 


Puerto Rico (1998 - 1999): 

Angel Rivera Cuba - "Effect of acetaminophen-diphenhadramine 

ingestion on the immunoassay for cocaine in urine" 

Mentor, graduate research projects, Master in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 


Puerto Rico (1999- 2003 ): 

Mayra L. López – “Correlation study between homocisteine, cholesterol 

and glucose levels in the blood” 

Diana Concepción – “Incidence and Prevalence of drugs of abuse in suicidal 

Cases in Puerto Rico” 

Radamés Pellot – “Fatalities associated with cocaine and alcohol consumption 

In Puerto Rico” 

Member, Doctoral Thesis Committee of Migdalia Martínez, Education School, Río 

Piedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico. Proposal: Need assessment for the 

development of a Ph.D. program in Health Related Sciences by distance learning. (1999 

– 2002) 

GRANTS APPROVED AND FUNDED 

Intercellular communication in the heart, Minority Access to Research Career, 

National Institutes of Health, Faculty Fellowship (1980-1983) 

Research Assistantship Program, Medical Sciences Campus, University of 

Puerto Rico, Principal Investigator (1983 -1986)



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Biomedical Research Support Grant, Medical Sciences Campus, 

University of Puerto Rico, Principal Investigator (1983-1984) 

Evaluation of cataracts in genetically hypertensive rats, American Heart 

Association, P.R. Chapter, Collaborator (1985-1987) 

Renal Sub-group, Research Center in Minority Institutions, National Institutes 

of Health, Investigator, Faculty Advisor and Sponsor (1986-1991) 

Initial characterization of a new model of genetic hypertension in rats with 

superficial glomeruli, American Heart Association, P.R. Chapter, 

Collaborator (1988-1991) 

Cataracts and hypertension, SUBE, MBRS Program, National Institutes of Health, 

Associate Investigator, (1989-1991) 

Evaluation of cataracts in hypertension: Lens ionic conductance (0001), 

Merit Review Program, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., 

Principal Investigator (1989-1990) 

Evaluation of cataracts in hypertension: Lens ionic conductance (0002), 


Co-Principal Investigator (1990-1992) 

Cataracts in hypertensive rat: Lens Na+ and K+ transport properties (0003), 


Co-Principal Investigator (1992-1997) 

"Digoxin-Like Immunoreactive Factor (DLIF): Potential Marker for Stroke-Proneness", 

RCMI- Clinical Research Center, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico 

Principal Investigator (1998 - 1999) 

Planning Grant, Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research, National Institutes 

of Health 1R21AR48043 Principal Investigator (2001-2002) 

Development & Implementation, Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research, 

National Institutes of Health 1R25RR17589, Principal Investigator (2002-2007). 

Transatlantic Health Science Consortium, U.S. Department of Education, Funding for the 

Improvement of Post-secondary Education (FIPSE Grant P116J030041), Implementation 

of an International Program in Clinical Laboratory Science, Collaborator (2003-2006). 

K12 Master of Science in Clinical Research Program, Mayo College of Medicine, 

Rochester; partnership with UPR-CRECD post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical 

Research program for the advancement of scholar’s career, Collaborator ( 2005-2010)



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Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health , 

National Center for Research Resources ( NCRR), Clinical Research Education and 

Career Development ( CRECD) Program, R25RR17589, Principal Investigator (2007- 

2012). 

RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN), NIH National Center for Research 

Resources ( NCRR) , P20 RR 022762 , UPR Co-principal Investigator, Network 

Education and Dissemination Cluster Co-Chair ( 2007-2010). 

Hispanics in Research Capability: SoHP and SoM Partnership (HiREC) , National Center 

on Minority Health and Health Disparities Endowment Programs, National Institutes of 

Health, 2S21MD001830-04, Co-Principal Investigator, ( 2008-2013). 

ARRA administrative supplement for CRECD grant R25 RR017589, National Center for 

Research Resources ( NCRR), Clinical Research Education and Career Development 

( CRECD) Program, Principal Investigator ( 2009-2011) 

RECOGNITIONS 

Honor Scholarship Award, Catholic University, Ponce, Puerto Rico (1967-1971) 

MARC Faculty Fellowship, National Institutes of Health, (National Heart, Lung, 

and Blood Institute) (1980-1983) 

International Society of Physiology Travel Grant. To attend XXIX Congress of 

the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Sidney, Australia (1983) 

Approval of Sabbatical Leave to obtain training in Lenticular Electrophysiological 

Techniques and Set-up a research laboratory in the San Juan Veterans Hospital (1989) 

Performance Award for Outstanding Rating, Department of Veteran’s Affairs 

(1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997) 

Distinguished Professor in Research, College of Health Related Professions, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (May 1990) 

Distinguished Professor in Research, College of Health Related Professions, 

for the Program “Ciencia y Mujer en Iberoamérica” (September 1992) 

Recognition given by the Board of Directors, College of Medical Technology 

of Puerto Rico, for outstanding achievements in Clinical Laboratory Science 

(November, 1996) 

Summer Research Conference Scholarship, Federation of American



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Societies for Experimental Biology (August, 1997) 

Cultural Pluralism Award, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions 

(October, 1999). 

Full member, Toxicology, American Academy of Forensic Sciences (1999-present) 

Invitation by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to serve on 

the Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages of the Health 

Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), (2000- 2004). 

Invitation by the Haworth Press, Inc. to pre-review the publication of the book: Allied 

Health-Practice Issues and Trends in the New Millennium (November, 2003). 

Invitation by Dr.Gualberto Ruano, President and CEO, Genomas, Inc and Editor of the 

Scientific Journal of Personalized Medicine to participate as a presenter for the clinical 

laboratory sciences in the Workshop “Reality Pharmacogenomics: Implementation 

scenarios for the real world”, AACC Annual Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo, Los 

Angeles, California, July 25-29, 2004. 

Invitation by the Board of Directors of the Association of Schools of Allied Health 

Professions to become a Fellow of the Association - FASAHP (October, 2004) 

Invitation by the American Heart Association, Puerto Rico Chapter, to be a member of 

the Board of Directors (November, 2004). 

Invitation by the Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration, Department of Health and Human Services to serve on the Drug Testing 

Advisory Board ( September, 2005- present ) 

Invitation by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office 

of the President to represent the United States in the “ Reunión de la Comisión 

Interamericana para el Control del Abuso de Drogas de la Organización de los Estados 

Americanos, CICAD/OEA “, Santiago, Chile , June 5-7, 2007 

Invitation by NIH, NCRR to be a Plenary Speaker at the Cancer Health Disparities 

Summit, “Cancer Health Disparities Research: Addressing the Challenges through 

Education and Training”, Bethesda, Maryland, July17-18, 2007. 

Invitation by NIH, NCRR to participate in Peer Reviewer Meeting of R25 (CRECD) 

applications, January 23, 2008 

Invitation by NIH, NCRR to be one of six Moderators to participate in the workshop 

entitled “Defining Core Competencies in Clinical and Translational Science", Bethesda, 

Maryland, January 30-31, 2008.



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EDITORIAL, ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES 

President, Puerto Rico Higher Education Advisory Council for the Establishment 

of a Medical Technology Program in Sacred Heart University (1984) 

Member, Editorial Board, Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal, 

Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (1986-1995) 

Member , Puerto Rico Higher Education Advisory Council for the Accreditation 

of the Sacred Heart University (1988-1991) 

Member and Liaison Officer, Organizing Committee of the 8 th Scientific Congress, 

Interamerican Society of Hypertension (1988-1989) 

Member and Scientific Advisor, Subcommittee on Research in Animal Subjects, 

Veterans Administration Hospital, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 1988-1991 

Member, Subcommittee on Research in Human Subjects, Veterans Administration 

Hospital (1989-1995) 

Chairman, Subcommittee on Research in Animal Subjects, Veterans Administration 

Hospital (1991-1998) 

Member, Institutional animal Care and Use Committee, Medical Sciences Campus, 

University of Puerto Rico (1991-1999) 

Coordinator, Subcommittee to evaluate criteria for promotion of Institutional 

Investigators, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (1991) 

Consultant for the Health Service Research and Development Center for Hispanic 

Studies, Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Juan, Puerto Rico (1993-1998) 

Member, Research Committee, American Heart Association, Puerto Rico Chapter 

(September 1994-1998) 

Member, Research and Development Committee, Veterans Administration Hospital 

(June 1994-1999) 

Member, Research Committee, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions 

(1998 - 2000) 

Consultant , Puerto Rico Higher Education Advisory Council , accreditation of a 

bachelor degree in Science with concentration in Pre-Medical Technology at the 

Interamerican University, Guayama, Puerto Rico (1993 - 1995)



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Member, Chancellor's Advisory Board for Research, Medical Sciences Campus, 

University of Puerto Rico (1995 - Present) 

Member, Government Relations Committee, Association of Schools of Allied Health 

Professions (1995 - 2000) 

Organizer, First Florida Section American Association of Clinical Chemistry 

Symposium at the 2 nd Congress of Medical Technology, San Juan, Puerto Rico 

(April, 1996) 

Member, Task Force on Science Policy, Association of Academic Health Centers 

(1995-1997) 

Representative of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions and 

the University of Puerto Rico at the Second Planning Meeting for the establishment 

of the National Association of Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools, 

San Francisco, California, May 1996. 

Coordinator, 1st Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions, 

San Juan, Puerto Rico ( October 8-10, 1996) 

Member, Organizing Committee for the 2 nd World Congress of Allied Health 

Professions, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, Wolverhampton, 

England, July, 1997 (October, 1996 - July 1997) 

Member, Editorial Board, Journal of Allied Health, Association of Schools of Allied 

Health Professions (1997 - 2003) 

Member, Board of Directors, Puerto Rico-Heart Association (1997 - 2003) 

Coordinator, 2 nd Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions in conjunction with 

1999 Winter Meeting of Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions; January 26- 

29,1999 San Juan, P.R., (1997 - 1999) 

Member, Organizing Committee, National Coalition of Hispanic Health and Human 

Services Organization, 12 th Biannual National Conference, June 10-13, 1998, San Juan, 

P.R. (1997 - 1998) 

Member, Organizing Committee for the 1999 Meeting of the Society of Forensic 

Toxicology, Oct. 1999, San Juan, P.R. (1997 - 1999) 

Member, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate Research Committee, American Heart Association 

(1998 - 2000) 

Member, Board of Directors, Florida/Puerto Rico American Heart Association (1999 - 

2001)



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Coordinator, 3 rd Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and World Congress 

III of Health Professions, March 26-30, 2001, San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Member, Editorial Board, Puerto Rico Health Science Journal, Medical Sciences 

Campus, University of Puerto Rico (1999 - 2003) 

Member, Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary Community-based linkages, HRSA 

(2000 - 2003) 

Member, Board of Directors, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (2000 

– 2003) 

Member, Board of Directors, New Alliances Consortium of Nursing and Allied Health 

for International Cooperation (2002 – 2005) 

Member, Board of Directors, Association of Southern Allied Health Deans at Academic 

Health Centers (2002 – 2004) 

Coordinator, 4 th Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and 1 st 

Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico December 6-8, 

2004. 

Member, Internal Advisory Committee, RCMI-Clinical Research Center, Medical 

Sciences Campus (2004 – Present) 

Member, Community Advisory Board, Puerto Rico-Heart Association (2004- 2006) 

Member, National Alliance to Build Allied Health Research Capacity ( 2004- Present) 

Member, UPR National Center for Research Resources-NINDS Steering Committee 

(January 2005- Present) 

Member, Advisory Committee to the PR Governor for the evaluation of the impact of the 

PR health reform on health professions education (April, 2005-2006) 

Member, Finance Committee, Association of Clinical Research Training Programs 

(August, 2005- March 2006) 

Member, Drug Testing Advisory Board, SAMSHA, DHHS (September, 2005- Present) 

Member, Health Disparities Advisory Committee on Research and Research 

Infrastructure for the Capacity Advancement in Research Infrastructure (UPRSD: 

CAiRI): University of Puerto Rico School of Dentistry (December, 2005- Present)



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Member, Board of Directors, Association of Clinical Research Training Programs 

(ACRT), April, 2006- present). 

Member, External Advisory Board, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, Mayo 

Clinic, Minnesota, April 2007- present. 

Liaison, Clinical Ligand Assay Society ( CLAS) , International Meeting, El 

Conquistador, Fajardo, May 16-19, 2007. 

Coordinator, 5 th Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and 2 nd 


2007. 

Member, Executive Program Committee, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders in Clinical 

and Translational Research, Association for Clinical Research Training (ACRT) Annual 

Meeting, Washington DC, March 25 &26 , 2008. 

LICENSURES 

American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) - License #079613 

Colegio de Tecnólogos Médicos de Puerto Rico - License #1069 

Colegio de Químicos de Puerto Rico - License #1601 

NPI Number: 20319660 

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES 

Association of Clinical Research Training ( ACRT) 

Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) 

Southern Association of Allied Health Deans at Academic Health Centers 

North American Consortium of Nursing and Allied Health for International Cooperation 

National Alliance for Hispanic Health 

International Association of Forensic Toxicologists 

American Academy of Forensic Sciences 

Society of Forensic Toxicology 

Clinical Laboratory Management Association 

American Association for Clinical Chemistry 

American Association of Bioanalysts 

International Association for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring/Clinical Toxicology



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PUBLICATIONS 

1. Estapé, E. and De Mello, W.C.: Cyclic nucleotides and calcium. Their role in the 

control of cell communication in the heart. Cell Biology International Reports 7(2), 

91-97,1983. 

2. Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Cangiano, J.L., and Martínez-Maldonado, M.: 

High Vanadate inteferes with Fiske and Subarrow determination of inorganic 

phosphate. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 

Vol. 183, 268-272, 1986. 

3. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Estapé, E., Cangiano, J.L., Irizarry, J.E., Martínez-Maldonado, 

M: Lenticular rubidium uptake in hypertensive "cataract-prone" salt-sensitive rats. 

J. Hypertension 6: 5243 - 245, 1988. 

4. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Fernández-Repollet, E., Estapé, E., Torres-Negrón, I., 

Cangiano, J.L., Martínez-Maldonado, M.: A new model of genetic hypertension 

in rats with superficial glomeruli. J. Hypertension 6: 529 - 32, 1988. 

5. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Berríos-Cabán, G., Estapé, E., Irizarry, J.E., Cangiano, J.L., 

Martínez-Maldonado, M.: Prevention and reversal of cataracts in Dahl salt-sensitive 

rats through sodium restriction. Inv. Ophth. and Visual Sci. Vol. 30(11): 2356-2360, 

1989. 

6. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Estapé, E., Rodríguez, A., Ramos, V., Irizarry, J.E., Cangiano, 

J.L., and Martínez-Maldonado, M.: Lenticular rubidium uptake and plasma renin 

activity in weanling "cataract-prone" salt-sensitive rats. Hypertension 15 (Supl. I): 

I144-Il48, 1990. 

7. Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., and Candia, O.A.: Characterization of active and 

passive Na+ and K+ transport in normal rat lens by short-circuiting technique. Curr 

Eye Res 11-2:189-193,1992. 

8. Estapé E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Cangiano, J.L., Candia, O.A.: Increased dietary 

NaCl intake influences lens transport properties in Sprague-Dawley rats. Curr Eye 

Res 14: 159 - 162, 1995. 

9. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Estapé, E., Fernández, N., Irizarry, J.E., Cangiano, J.L. and 

Candia, O.A. Altered short-circuit current in adult cataract-prone Dahl hypertensive rats. 

Hypertension 28: 440-444, 1996. 

10. Estape E, Torres-Negron I, Firpo A, Valdes R Jr. Digoxin-like immunoreactive factor 

(DLIF): a potential marker for stroke- proneness? Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (abstract) 

;19 (5):573, 1997.



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11. Estapé, E and Soto de Laurido, L. Las profesiones relacionadas con la salud: Un 

modelo de desarrollo académico en la Universidad de Puerto Rico. El desarrollo de 

Técnicos en Salud – Un desafío para la calidad. Organización Panamericana de la Salud. 

Washington, D.C. PAHO, c 1999. 

12. Jeanville PM, Estapé ES, Needham SR and Cole MJ. Rapid 

Confirmation/Quantitation of Cocaine and Benzoylecgonine in urine utilizing High 

Performance Liquid Chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of the 

American Society of Mass Spectrometry, 11:3: 257-263, 2000. 

13. Needham SR, Jeanville PM, Brown PR and Estapé E. Performance of a pentafluoro- 

Phenylpropyl stationary phase for the electrospray Ionization / High Performance Liquid 

/ Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry / Mass Spectrometry Assay of Cocaine and its 

metabolite ecgonine methyl ester in human urine. Journal of Chromatography. B, 

748:77-87, 2000. 

14. Jeanville, PM., Estapé E., Needham, SR., Woods, JH., Baird, TJ. Direct 

Determination of Ecgonine Methyl Ester and Cocaine in Rat Plasma, Utilizing On-line 

Sample Extraction Coupled with Rapid Chromatography/Quadrupole Orthogonal 

Acceleration Time-of-Flight Detection. J. Pharm. and Biomed. Anal, 23: 897-907, 2000. 

15.Jeanville, PM., Estapé E., Torres-Negrón, I, E., Martí, A. Rapid 

confirmation/Quantitation of ecgonine methyl ester, benzoylecgonine, and cocaine using 

on-line extraction coupled with fast HPLC and Tandem Mass spectrometry. J. of 

Analytical Toxicology, 25: 1-7, 2001. 

16. Jeanville PM, Estapé E and Torres-Negron I. The affect of liquid chromatography 

eluents and additives on the possitive ion Responses of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and 

ecgonine methyl ester using electrospray ionization. Int. J. of Mass Spectrometry, 

227:247-258, 2003. 

17. Estape ES and Rodriguez-Orengo JF. Creation of two multidisciplinary clinical 

research academic programs at a minority academic health center. Clinical Research 

Perspectives, Association of Clinical Research Training Program Directors, Vol. 1: Issue 

2 , p3, July 2004. 

18. Estapé ES, Rodríguez-Orengo JF and Scott VJ. Development of Multidisciplinary 

Academic Programs for Clinical Research Education. Journal of Allied Health , Vol. 34 

No 2, e55-e70, Summer 2005 . 

19. Segarra B, Estape E., Multi-institutional Video Conference Seminars – University of 

Puerto Rico Perspective. Clinical Research Perspective, Association for Clinical 

Research Training, Vol 5, Issue 1, March 2008.



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20. Estape E, Frontera W., Clinical Research Degree Programs –UPR Medical Sciences 

Campus, MEMO, Pharmaceutical Industrial Association (PIA) , Vol 12, Issue 10, 

October 2008. 

ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS 

Estapé, E and De Mello, WC: Effect of Theophylline on the spread of electronic 

activity in heart. Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for 

Experimental 

Biology (FASEB), Chicago, Illinois, Federation Proceedings, 41-5, 1505, 1983. 

Estapé, E and De Mello, WC: Effect of cyclic AMP on the electrical coupling of heart 

cells. Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society, Honolulu, Hawaii, The 

Physiologists 

25 - 5, 197, 1983. 

Estapé, E and De Mello, UC: Effect of cyclic GMP on the electrical coupling of heart 

cells, XXIX Congress of the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Sydney, 

Australia, 

Proceedings Vol. XV, 49. 1983. 

Cangiano, JL, Estapé, E, Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Bachier, C and Martínez- 

Maldonado, M: Vanadate interferes with fiske and Subarrow determination of inorganic 

phosphate. 

Annual Meeting of FASEB, Anaheim, California, Federation Proceedings 44, 502, 1985. 

Estapé, E, Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Cangiano, JL and Martinez-Maldonado, M: A simple 

colorimetric method for determination of micromolar quantities of vanadium in water. 

Annual Meeting of FASEB, Anaheim, California, Federation Proceedings 44, 502,1985. 

Estapé, E, Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Cangiano, JL and Martínez-Maldonado, M: 

Variability of indirect blood pressure in anesthetized Rhesus monkeys: Dependence on 

blood pressure level. Annual Meeting of FASEB, Anaheim, California, 

Federation Proceedings 44, 502,1985. 


Vanadium oxyions interfere with Fiske and Subarrow determination of inorganic 

phosphate. 7 th International Congress on Phosphate and Other Minerals, Marville, 

France, Mineral Electrolyte Metal, Vol. 5:323,1985. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Cangiano, JL, Berríos Cabán, G, Estapé, E and 

Martínez-Maldonado, M: Chronic sodium restriction prevents cataract formation in 

Dahl salt-sensitive rats. Hypertension, Vol. 9:5, 533, 1987.



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Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Cangiano, JL, Estapé, E and Martínez-Maldonado, M: 

Reversal of cataracts in Dahl salt-sensitive rats by acute sodium restriction. Book of 

Abstracts of the 10 th International Meeting of Nephrology, 1987. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Estapé, E, Irizarry, JE, Cangiano, JL and Martínez-Maldonado, 

M: Lenticular ionic fluxes in "cataract prone" salt-sensitive rats. The FASEB 

Journal, Vol. 2:5, A966,1988. 


Evidence of a generalized ion transport defect in salt-sensitive rats. Annual Meeting of 

FASEB, Las Vegas, Nevada, The FASEB Journal, Vol. 2:4, A502,1988. 

Estapé, E, Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Irizarry, JE, Cangiano, JL and Martínez-Maldonado, 

M: Increased Rubidium uptake in weanling "cataract-prone" salt-sensitive rats. Annual 

Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology (ARVO), Sarasota, 

Florida, Meeting Abstract Issue, Vol. 29:426,1988. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Estapé, E, Irizarry, JE, Cangiano JL, and Martínez-Maldonado M: 

Lenticular ionic fluxes in a "cataract-prone: model of genetically hypertensive rats. 

Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology (ARVO), 

Sarasota, Florida, Meeting Abstract Issue, Vol. 29:426,1988. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Estapé, E, Fenández-Repollet, E, Torres-Negrón, I, Cangiano, JL, 

and Martínez-Maldonado, M: Initial characterization of a new genetic model of 

hypertension in rats with superficial glomeruli. Hypertension, Vol. 13 (5): 533, 1989. 

Estapé, E, Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Rodríguez, A, Ramos, V, Cangiano, JL, and Martínez- 

Maldonado, M: Lens Rubidium uptake in weanling "cataract-prone" salt-sensitive rats 

prior to development of cataract formation or sustained hypertension. Scientific 

Congress of the International Society of Hypertension, Kyoto, Japan, Hypertension, Vol. 

13(5): 534,1989. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Estapé, E, Fernández-Repollet, E, Torres-Negrón, I, Cangiano, JL, 

and Martínez-Maldonado, M: Renal clearance studies and glomerular counts in a new 

model of genetic hypertension in rats with superficial glomerular. Journal of 

Hypertension, Vol. 7(6): S394,1989. 

Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., and Candia O.A.: Ionic permeabilities and transport 

in the rat lens. Annual Meeting of ARVO, Sarasota, Florida, Meeting Abstract 

Issue, Vol. 31(4):362. 1990. 

Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Torres, E Sánchez, Z, Cangiano, JL, and Martínez- 

Maldonado, M.: Lens Rb-86 efflux in cataract-prone Dahl salt-sensitive rats prior to 

cataract formation. Hypertension, Vol. 17(3): 446, 1991. 

Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., and Candia, OA: Chronic high sodium diet



Page 17 

increases short-circuit current (Isc) in the rat lens. Annual Meeting of ARVO, Sarasota, 

Florida, Meeting Abstract Issue, Vol. 32(4):1208,1991. 

Estapé E, Rodríguez- Sargent C, and Candia OA: Short-circuit current (Isc) across 

lenses of adult salt-sensitive genetically hypertensive rats, Japan-U.S. 

Scientific Meeting of Center for Clinical Cataract Research Group, Kona, Hawaii, 

December 1991 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Cangiano, JL and Estapé, ES. The cataract-hypertension link. 

Proceedings of the International Society of Eye Research, Vol. VII, S137, 1992. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Estapé, ES, Irizarry, J, Fernández, N, Cangiano, JL and 

Candia, OA. Lack of lens short-circuit current response to sodium intake in saltsensitive 

hypertensive rats. Proceedings of the International Cooperative Cataract 

Research Group Meeting, Nov.: 69,1993. 

Rodríguez-Sargent, C, Estapé, ES, Cangiano, JL and Candia, OA: High NaCl Intake 

alters lens electrophysiology: Prelude to studies in genetic hypertension. 

Hypertension, Vol. 21 - (4): 580, 1993. 

Estapé E.: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring - Lithium, Digoxin and Theophylline, 

Toxicology Symposium, XVI National Congress of Clinical Biochemistry, 

Acapulco, Mexico, June, 1993. 

Estapé E.: Therapeutic Monitoring of Immunosuppresive Drugs, First Medical 

Technology Congress of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 1993 

Estapé ES, Cangiano JL, Fernández N, Valdés R and Rodríguez-Sargent C: Niveles 

elevados de DLIF en suero de ratas hipertensas sensitivas a la sal. II Congreso 

Latinoamericano de Nefrología, October, 1994. 

Rodríguez-Sargent C, Camacho-Artreches D, Cangiano JL, Valdés R and Estapé ES: 

Endogenous Digoxin-Like Immunoreactive Factors in San Juan Hypertensive Rats. 

Proceedings of the XIth Scientific Meeting, Inter-American Society of Hypertension 

June, 1995. 

Estapé E.: Program for a Drug-Free Workplace, 5 th Conference on Safety and 

Health Occupational Program, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 1995. 

Estapé, E.: Drug Analysis in Hair and Biological Fluids, VIII National Congress 

of Clinical Laboratory Professionals, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 

December 1995 

Estapé, E.: Therapeutic and Toxic Levels: What determines the difference? 

American Association of Clinical Chemistry Sponsored Symposium 

2 nd Congress of Medical Technology, San Juan, Puerto Rico, April, 1996



Page 18 

Estapé, E.: Program for a Drug-Free Workplace: 

• 6 th Occupational Safety and Health conference of Puerto Rico, 

San Juan, Puerto Rico, May, 1996 

• Workshop, Southern Industrial Health Services, 

Ponce, Puerto Rico, September, 1996 

• Department of Labor and Human Resources, Auxiliary Secretary of 

Safety and Health, San Juan, Puerto Rico, September, 1996 

• Annual Meeting of CRUSADA (Consorcio de Recursos Universitarios 

Sembrando Ahanza de Alerta a las Drogas, al Alcohol y la Violencia), Ponce, 

Puerto Rico, November, 1996. 

Estapé E, Cangiano JL, Valdés R, Rodríguez-Sargent C: Endogenous Digoxing 

Immunoreactive Factor in Genetically Huypertensive Rats. Annual Scientific 

Meeting of the Puerto Rico Heart Association, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October, 1996. 

Estapé, E.: Prospective of the Allied Health Professions toward a New Century, 

Opening Key Conference, First Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions, 

San Juan, Puerto Rico, October, 1996. 

Estapé, E.: Vision of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences toward a New Century, 

Opening Key Conference at the 24 th Annual Meeting of the College of Medical 

Technologists, San Juan, Puerto Rico, November, 1996. 

Estapé E, Torres-Negrón I, Rodríguez-Sargent C: Digoxin-Like Immunoreactive 

Factor (DLIF) during chronic high sodium intake in young hypertensive Dahl 

salt-sensitive rats (DS). Hypertension 1997; 29 (3): 911 

Estapé, E, Torres-Negrón , Firpo A and Valdes R Jr: Digoxin-Like 

Immunoreactive Factor (DLIF): A Potential Marker for Stroke-Proneness?. 

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 1997; 19 (5):573 

Estapé, E.: Workplace Free of Drugs, International Congress of Occupational 

Medicine, Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 1997. 

Estapé, E., Firpo A, Becerra I. Prevalence of Positive Results for Illicit Drugs 

Analyzed in a Private Reference Clinical Laboratory in Puerto Rico, FASEB 

Summer Research Conference, Copper Mt., Colorado, August, 1997. 

Estapé E, Becerra I, Perez-Perdomo R and Firpo A. Illicit drug use in Puerto Rico.



Page 19 

Proceedings of the Annual Meeting, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, 

Orlando, Florida, February, 1999. 

Estapé, E.: The relevance of prediction and education in disease prevention, 

Opening Key Conference, 2 nd Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions, 

San Juan, P.R., February, 1999. 

Estapé, E, Segarra, B.: Implementation of an innovative graduate program in Clinical 

Laboratory Science, 15 th . Annual Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference, San Juan, 

Puerto Rico, March, 1999. 

Estapé, E.: Answers to Questions on Programs for Workplace Free of Drugs, 8 th 

Occupational Safety and Health Conference of Puerto Rico, May 1999. 

Jeanville PM, Estapé ES, Cole MJ and Needham SR. Quantitation of ecgonine 

Methyl ester in human urine utilizing rapid chromatography coupled with quadrupole 

time-of-flight detection. Proceedings of the Annual Montreaux Symposium for Liquid 

Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, Montreal, Canada, November, 1999. 

Estapé, E.: Interdisciplinary Approach to Health Care Delivery - An Academic 

Perspective. 2 nd International Conference on Health Issues, The University of Texas 

Pan-American, College of Heath Sciences and Human Services and the University of 

Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio Medical School, Edinburg,, Texas, March, 

2000. 

Estapé, E. Restructuring academic units at Academic Health Centers, Academic 

organizational approaches to transforming health science education, Northeastern 

University, Bouve College of Health Sciences, Boston, MA, August, 2000 

Estapé, E. Surgimiento de la investigación clínica en el laboratorio clínico, 4to Congreso 

de Tecnología Médica, Colegio de Tecnólogos Médicos, San Juan, PR Mayo 2002 

Estapé, E. Emergence of clinical research in the clinical laboratory sciences, World 

Congress 2002 Joint meeting of the International Association of Medical Laboratory 

Technologists and the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Orlando, 

Florida, USA, July 30 – August 3, 2002. 

Estapé, E. and Rodríguez-Orengo, J. Development of a post-doctoral Master of Science 

in Clinical Research, Consortium of Institutes of Higher Education in Health and 

Rehabilitation in Europe, COHEHRE Annual Conference, Maastrich, The Netherlands, 

February 26- March 2, 2003. 

Estapé, E. and Rodríguez-Orengo, J. Clinical Research in Allied Health, Association of 

Schools of Allied Health Professions, ASAHP, Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, 

October 2003.



Page 20 

Estapé, E. and Ruano, G. Reality Pharmacogenomics: Implementation in the Clinical 

Laboratory. American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting, Los 

Angeles, California, July 15-29, 2004. 

Estapé, E and Rodriguez-Orengo,J. Experience of the 1 st year of the post-doctoral Master 

of Science in Clinical Research, Segunda Conferencia Puertorriqueña de Salud Pública, 

San Juan, P.R., September 1-3, 2004. 

Hernandez, L, Estape, E and Rodriguez-Orengo, J. Distribution of research grants and 

contracts at the Medical Sciences Campus-UPR. 1 st Conference of Multidisciplinary 

Clinical Research, San Juan, PR, December 5-8, 2004. 

Estape, E and Rodriguez-Orengo, J. Experience of the Multidisciplinary post-doctoral 

Master of Science and Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research, San Juan, Puerto Rico. 

Ninth RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities, Baltimore, MD, December 

8-11, 2004. 

Estape, E. and Rodriguez-Orengo, J. A multidisciplinary team approach to create a 

collaborative clinical research academic program. Consortium of Institutes of Higher 

Education for Health and Rehabilitation in Europe, COHEHRE Annual Conference, How 

to be cooperative in a competitive system, Budapest, Hungary, March 30 th -April 2 nd , 

2005. 

Estape. E. Interferences in Ligand-based Laboratory Testing, VI Medical Technology 

Congress, Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 26-28, 2007. 

Estape, E. Programa Empresa Libre de Drogas, Reunión de la Comisión Interamericana 

para el Control del Abuso de Drogas de la Organización de los Estados Americanos, 

CICAD/OEA, Santiago, Chile , June 5-7, 2007. 

Estape, E. Cancer Health Disparities Research: Addressing the Challenges through 

Education and Training, Cancer Health Disparities Summit 2007, Washington, DC, 

July 17 th , 2007 

Estapé E, Frontera W, Diaz C, Segarra B., Multidisciplinary experience of the postdoctoral 

Master of Science in Clinical Research ar the Medical Sciences Campus, 

University of Puerto. 5 th Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and 2 nd 


2007. 

Pincus H, Lakoski J, Begg M , Estape E., Enhancing Research Mentoring: Institutional 

and Interpersonal Levers Workshop, Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders in Clinical and 

Translational Research, ACRT Annual Meeting, Washington DC, March 25 &26 , 2008.



Page 21 

LEARNING RESOURCES AUTHORED OR CO-AUTHORED (Selected): 

Review of Basic Hematology (pamphlet and slides); 

Co-author: Lic. Ramonita Meléndez 

Advanced Hemeostasis and Coagulation (detailed course) 

Basic Toxicology Seminar (pamphlet and transparencies) 

Academic proposal for the creation of a Master in Science in Clinical Laboratory Science 

Co-authors: Dr. Ann Warner and Dr. Bynum Jackson 

Psychopharmacology: Role of the Clinical Laboratory in the Evaluation of 

Psychosis and Depression Seminar (pamphlet and slides); 

Co-author: Dr. Carmen Rodríguez-Sargent 

Drug Screening: Principles of Analysis and Clinical use Seminar 

(pamphlet and slides); 

Co-author: Dr. Carmen Rodríguez-Sargent 

Objectives for Phlebotomy Training (detailed course objectives) 

Toxicology in the Clinical Laboratory (objectives, pamphlet and transparencies) 

Homeostasis: Correlation of Laboratory Data with Disease (objectives, pamphlet 

and transparencies) 

Acid-Base Relationship and the Importance of Blood Gases Analyses. Topic is 

subdivided in four conferences of 3-4 hours each: I - Renal function and 

water balance; II - Electrolytes: Sodium, Potassium and Chloride, 

III - Arterial blood gases and acid-base balance; IV - Case Studies. 

(objectives, pamphlet and transparencies) 

General Endocrine Function with special emphasis on The Hypothalamo- 

Pituitary Axis. Topic is subdivided in five conferences of 3-4 hours each: 

I - Endocrine function and Hypothalamo-Pituitary Axis; II - Thyroid Function, 

III - Parathyroid Function, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphate; 

IV - Adrenal Medulla and Cortex; V - Gonadal Function and Case Studies. 

(objectives, pamphlet and transparencies) 

Enzyme Biochemistry and their Clinical Significance. Topic is subdivided in three



Page 22 

conferences of 3-4 hours each: I - Classification and Properties; II - Isoenzymes and 

Changes in Disease; III - Other Enzymes of Clinical Significance (objectives, 

pamphlet and transparencies). 

Update of the Academic Proposal for a Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory 

Sciences, 

March, 1993. 

Abstract, pamphlet and slides for the following conferences: (1993 - 1997) 

• Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Lithium, Digoxin and Theophilline 

• Immunosuppresive Drug Monitoring 

• Guidelines for Urine Drug Testing by Clinical Laboratories in Puerto Rico 

• Pharmacology of drugs of abuse 

• Drug Analysis in Hair and Biological Fluids 

• Program for a Drug-Free Workplace 

• Therapeutic and Toxic Levels: What determines the difference? 

Graduate course for the Master in Clinical Laboratory Sciences - Advanced Clinical 

Biochemistry: Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology (1997) 

Academic proposal to create a Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research and 

a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research , (2002). 

Co-author: Dr. Jose Rodriguez-Orengo 

1 st Draft of an Academic proposal to create a PhD in Health Related Sciences with a 

specialization in one of the following disciplines: Audiology , Speech and Language 

Pathology, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Physical Therapy and Occupational 

Therapy, (2004). 

Co-author: Dr. Dyhalma Irizarry 

Graduate course for the PhD in Health Related Sciences – Design of a research proposal 

(2004-2005). 

Academic proposal for curriculum revision of the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory 

Sciences Program to offer a Master of Science in Molecular Diagnostics and Laboratory 

Management with a track in Advanced Clinical Laboratory Sciences and another track in 

Applied Diagnostics ( 2004- present) . 

Co-authors: Prof. Barbara Segarra and Dr. Margarita Irizarry 

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING ( 1993-present)



Page 23 

The Laboratory Witness in Court Workshop, Sponsored by: AACC, Philadelphia, Penn. 

May 1993. 

Industrial Toxicology Workshop, Substance Abuse: Testing and Education in the 

Workplace, Sponsored by: 4th Conference on Safety and Occupational Health, 

Department of Labor and Human Resources, Puerto Rico, December 6-8, 1993 

Professional Practice in Toxicology: A Review, Sponsored by: American Association for 

Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry 

Hosted by: Ohio Valley Section (AACC), University of Cincinnatti , June 19-22, 1994 

Conference on Drug Testing in Hair, Pharmacology and Analytical Questions 

Sponsored by: Society of Forensic Toxicologist, Inc. and the Division 

of Workplace Programs, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, 

Dept. of Health and Human Services, Tampa, Florida, October 29-30, 1994 

Legal Aspects of Urine, Blood and Hair Testing Workshop, Sponsored by: Osborn 

Laboratories, TIAFT-SOFT, Tampa, Florida, October 31, 1994 

Human Performance Testing: Drug and Driving Impairment, Sponsored by: National 

Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Tampa, Florida, October 31, 1994 

Perkin Elmer Q-Mass 910, Mass Spectrometer Operator Training Course 

Sponsored by: Perkin Elmer. March 21-24, 1995 

Second Conference on the Integration of the Prevention Concepts into the 

Academic Curriculum: Transforming the Vision in Action, Sponsored by: Interamerican 

University of Puerto Rico, Southeast Regional Center for Drug Free Schools and 

Communities (SERC), Comité de Recursos Universitarios Sembrando Alianza de Alerta 

al Alcohol y otras Drogas (CRUZADA), San Germán, Puerto Rico , April 21, 1995 

Medical Review Officer Training Program, MRO ALERT, Baltimore, Maryland 

October 14-15, 1995 

Current Approaches in Forensic Toxicology, Drug Testing in the Workplace 

Information Resources for the Practice of Forensic Toxicology 

Sponsored by: Forensic Toxicology Certification Board, 48th Annual Meeting of the 

American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Nashville, Tennessee, February 19-24, 1996 

Morphine and Nitric Oxide Workshop, Sponsored by: Special Population Research 

Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Nikon, Inc. Image Analytics, 

Morell Instrument Co., Inc. and World Precision Instruments, Melville, Long Island 

April, 1996



Page 24 

Drugs of Abuse and the Immune System, Opiataes, opiate receptors and signal 

transduction in lymphoid tissue, Effects of opioids on immune function and host defense 

to infection, Analysis and Interpretation of Urine Toxicology Data 

58th Annual Scientific Meeting, College on Problems of Drug Dependence 

San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 22-27, 1996 

Q-Mass 910 Mass Spectrometer Tune, Maintenance and Trouble Shooting Workshop 

Lic. Conrado Will, Perkin Elmer, San Juan, Puerto Rico, November 6-8, 1996 

Seminar on Exercising Public Leadership, Puerto Rico Senior Executive Program 

Center for Advanced Studies in Public Management in Conjunction , with the John F. 

Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Feb. 5-7, 1997 

Hands-on Training, on the use of Perkin-Elmer GC-MS for Confirmation of Illegal Drugs 

Dr. David Roberts, Director of Toxicology, Physicians Reference Laboratory, Overland 

Park, Kansas, San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 8-10, 1997 

Hands-on Training Seminar for CAP Inspectors Commission on Laboratory 

Accreditation, College of American Pathologists, San Juan, Puerto Rico 

May 16, 1997 

Employment-Related Drug Testing, 5 th International Congress of Therapeutic Drug 

Monitoring and Clinical Toxicology; Vancouver, Canada, November 10, 1997 

The role of Neural Behavioral Plasticity in Chronic Drug Abuse, 

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) 

Summer Conference, Copper Mt., Colorado, August 10-15, 1997 

NLCP Workshop, National Laboratory Certification Program, Research Triangle, N.C. 

March 20-22, 1998 

Analytical Challenges with Amphetamine Analogs, Expert Witness Testimony – Aspects 

from other nations, SOFT-TIAFT, Albuquerque, New Mexico, October, 1998 

Entrepreneurial Leadership Management Program, Center for Strategic Urban 

Community Leadership, Rutger, New Jersey, San Juan, Puerto Rico, September 14-16, 

1998 

Preparing for the Millennium: Laboratory Medicine in the 21 st Century, American 

Association of Clinical Chemistry, Orlando, Florida December 2-5, 1998, 

The adventure of change … the art of eagerly anticipating the future.The Puerto Rico 

Learning Center for Excellence.San Juan, Puerto Rico, March 1999 

ASAHP Government Relations Forum, Washington, DC April 29 - May 1, 1999



Page 25 

Drugs, Driving and Traffic Safety: Update, Ion-trap users workshop; Pharmacology 

reviews: selected new drugs; Society of Forensic Toxicologists, San Juan, Puerto Rico 

October, 1999 

Turbo Mass GC-MS Operation Training, Perkin Elmer , San Juan, Puerto Rico 

November 27-28, 1999 

Target Software for GC-MS, THRU-PUT Systems, Inc., San Juan, Puerto Rico 

January 4-7, 2000 

Management Development Program, Harvard Institutes for Higher Education 

Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 18-39, 2000 

HHS/NLCP Inspector Continuing Education Workshop, Lab Director and Inspector 

Workshop; SPE Scientific Theory and Application Workshop; MS/MS Workshop 

Society of Forensic Toxicology, Dearborn, Michigan October 2002 

HHS/NLCP Inspector Continuing Education Workshop; NLCP Inspector and Lab 

Director Workshop; The Chemical, Nuclear and Biological Threat Workshop 

Society of Forensic toxicology, Portland, Oregon October, 2003 

Strategic Leadership and Innovative team thinking, Totally responsible person 

enterprises, Inc.The Outside Group, Inc. , Hotel El Conquistador, Fajardo, Puerto Rico 

October, 2003 

Health Disparities Course, CDC and Meharry Medical College, Atlanta, GA 

March 25-28, 2004 

Adult Learning Theory Workshop, NIH CRECD Program, Medical Sciences Campus, 

University of Puerto Rico, May 28th, 2004 

FBI Laboratory Symposium on Forensic Toxicology, FBI Laboratory and National 

Institute of Justice, Washington, DC August 29-30, 2004 

Multistation Exercises for Teaching and Evaluation of Adult Learners, Workshop 

developed by Dr Lynne Reid and Dr. Mimi Wetzel, Harvard Medical School 

Dr. Mimi Wetzel, San Juan, Puerto Rico, August 19, 2005. 

NLCP Inspector/ Lab Director Workshop, National Laboratory Certification Program 

Nashville, TN October 16, 2005 

Forensic Toxicology Update; Receptor Site Theory and Drug Interactions 

The Society of Forensic Toxicology, Nashville, TN October 17-18, 2005



Page 26 

Pharmacogenetics Practice Guidelines I -Establishing Clinical Applications; 

Pharmacogenetics Practice Guidelines II-Utilization of Pharmacogenetics 

American Association of Clinical Chemistry, Chicago, Illinois July 25 and 26 th , 2006 

Addiction and Pain Management for Forensic Toxicologists- Workshop; New 

Antidepressants and Antiepileptics-Workshop; Opiates Fields Forever-Workshop 

Society of Forensic Toxicology, Austin, Texas, October 3 rd and 4 th , 2006 


Austin , Texas October 7 th , 2006 

Salud de las Mujeres: Alianza , Retos y Oportunidades , Primera Conferencia del Centro 

Salud y Mujer , Recinto de Ciencias Medicas, UPR, San Juan , Puerto Rico , May 7-8, 

2007 

Salud Publica , Justicia Social y Derechos Humanos, 3ra Conferencia Puertorriquena de 

Salud Publica , San Juan , Puerto Rico , May 8-10, 2007 


Raleigh-Durham , NC October 14 th , 2007 

Toxicological Analysis of Drug-facilitated Crimes Workshop; Beyond Herbals: the 

Toxicology of Plants Workshop, Society of Forensic Toxicology, Raleigh- Durham. NC 

October 15 th , 2007 

Primera Cumbre de Prevención del Departamento de Salud y el Recinto de Ciencias Médicas, 

UPR: Actualización y Nuevos Enfoques a Nivel Comunitario, San Juan, Puerto Rico 

October 24th, 2007 


Phoenix, Arizona , October, 2008 

Overview and Review of Forensic Toxicology, Society of Forensic Toxicology 

Phoenix, Arizona , October, 2008 

Fundamentals of LC/MS/MS, National Institute of Justice and RTI International , 

October 20, 2008 

Development of a hair reference material, a comparison of mass spectral platforms for 

analysis of DUID and postmortem samples, and evaluation of TOF-DART for 

postmortem screening Module , National Institute of Justice and RTI International , 

October 27, 2008

FF 

Principal Investigator/Program Director(Last, first, 

middle): 

Estapé, Estela S. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

Provide the following information for the key personnel in the order listed on Form Page 2. 

Photocopy this page or follow this format for each person. 

NAME 

Estela S. Estapé 

POSITION TITLE 

Dean , School of Health Professions 

Director , Clinical Research Programs and Master of 

Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences , Medical 

Sciences Campus, UPR 

EDUCATION/TRAINING (Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing. Include postdoctoral training.) 

INSTITUTION AND LOCATION 

DEGREE 

(if applicable) YEAR(s) FIELD OF STUDY 

Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, PR 

BS 

1971 

Chemistry 

Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, PR 

University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 

Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, New York 

Post BS 

Certificate 

PhD 

Post-doctoral 

training 

1971 

1983 

1989 

Medical Technology 

Pharmacology/ 

Toxicology 

Electrophysiology 

A. Positions: 

NIH Fellow (Heart, Lung and Blood Institute), School of Medicine, UPR (1980-1983) 

Director, Medical Technology Program SoHP, MSC, UPR (1984-85; 1986-87) 

Director, Department of Collaborative Medical Programs SoHP, MSC, UPR (1985-86; 1994-95) 

Professor, Medical Technology Program, SoHP, Medical Sciences Campus (1978-1994) 

Merit Review Investigator, San Juan Veteran's Hospital Research Service (1986-1998) 

Forensic Toxicology Consultant, MSC, UPR (1993-Present) 

Inspector, College of American Pathologist, Laboratory Accreditation (1997-Present) 

Consultant, NLCP Program, SAMSHA, Research Triangle Institute (1998-Present) 

Director, Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (1994 - Present) 

Dean, School of Health Professions (SoHP), Medical Sciences Campus, UPR (1995-Present) 

Director, Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research (2001-Present) 

Honors 

Performance Award for Outstanding Rating, Department of Veterans Affairs (1990- 1997) 

Distinguished Professor in Research, SoHP, MSC, UPR (1990, 1992) 

Outstanding achievements in Clinical Lab. Sciences, College of Medical Technology (1996) 

Summer Research Conference Scholarship, Federation of Societies for Exp. Biology (1997) 

Cultural Pluralism Award, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (1999) 

Full member, Toxicology, American Academy of Forensic Sciences (1999) 

Member, Board of Directors, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (2000-2004) 

Member, Board of Directors, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate, American Heart Association (1999-2002) 

Member, Advisory Comm., Interdisciplinary Community-Based Programs, HRSA (2000-2004) 

Member, Board of Directors, Assoc. of Southern Deans at Academic Health Centers (2001-2004) 

Member, Board of Directors, North American Consortium of Nursing and Allied Health for 

International Cooperation (2002-2005) 

Member, Drug Testing Advisory Board, SAMSHA, US, DHHS (2005-20009) 

Member, Board of Directors, Association of Clinical Research Training, ACRT (2006-2009)

CONTINUATION PAGE Principal Investigator/Program Director Estapé , Estela S. 

______________________________________________________________________________ 

__________________________________________ 

B. Selected peer-reviewed publications (in chronological order). 

1. Estapé, E. and De Mello, W.C.: Cyclic nucleotides and calcium. Their role in the 

control of cell communication in the heart. Cell Biology International Reports 7(2), 

91-97,1983. 

2. Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Cangiano, J.L., and Martínez-Maldonado, M.: 

High Vanadate inteferes with Fiske and Subarrow determination of inorganic 

phosphate. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 

Vol. 183, 268-272, 1986. 

3. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Estapé, E., Cangiano, J.L., Irizarry, J.E., Martínez-Maldonado, 

M: Lenticular rubidium uptake in hypertensive "cataract-prone" salt-sensitive rats. 

J. Hypertension 6: 5243 - 245, 1988. 

4. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Fernández-Repollet, E., Estapé, E., Torres-Negrón, I., 

Cangiano, J.L., Martínez-Maldonado, M.: A new model of genetic hypertension 

in rats with superficial glomeruli. J. Hypertension 6: 529 - 32, 1988. 

5. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Berríos-Cabán, G., Estapé, E., Irizarry, J.E., Cangiano, J.L., 

Martínez-Maldonado, M.: Prevention and reversal of cataracts in Dahl salt-sensitive 

rats through sodium restriction. Inv. Ophth. and Visual Sci. Vol. 30(11): 2356-2360, 

1989. 

6. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Estapé, E., Rodríguez, A., Ramos, V., Irizarry, J.E., Cangiano, 

J.L., and Martínez-Maldonado, M.: Lenticular rubidium uptake and plasma renin 

activity in weanling "cataract-prone" salt-sensitive rats. Hypertension 15 (Supl. I): 

I144-Il48, 1990. 

7. Estapé, E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., and Candia, O.A.: Characterization of active and 

passive Na+ and K+ transport in normal rat lens by short-circuiting technique. Curr 

Eye Res 11-2:189-193,1992. 

8. Estapé E., Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Cangiano, J.L., Candia, O.A.: Increased dietary 

NaCl intake influences lens transport properties in Sprague-Dawley rats. Curr Eye 

Res 14: 159 - 162, 1995. 

9. Rodríguez-Sargent, C., Estapé, E., Fernández, N., Irizarry, J.E., Cangiano, J.L. and 

Candia, O.A. Altered short-circuit current in adult cataract-prone Dahl hypertensive rats. 

Hypertension 28: 440-444, 1996. 

10. Jeanville PM, Estapé ES, Needham SR and Cole MJ. Rapid Confirmation/Quantitation of 

Cocaine and Benzoylecgonine in urine utilizing High Performance Liquid Chromatography and 

tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry, 11:3: 257- 

263, 2000. 

11. Needham SR, Jeanville PM, Brown PR and Estapé E. Performance of a pentafluoro- 

Phenylpropyl stationary phase for the electrospray Ionization / High Performance Liquid /

Chromatography / Mass Spectrometry / Mass Spectrometry Assay of Cocaine and its metabolite 

ecgonine methyl ester in human urine. Journal of Chromatography. B, 748:77-87, 2000. 

12. Jeanville, PM., Estapé E., Needham, SR., Woods, JH., Baird, TJ. Direct Determination of 

Ecgonine Methyl Ester and Cocaine in Rat Plasma, Utilizing On-line Sample Extraction Coupled 

with Rapid Chromatography/Quadrupole Orthogonal Acceleration Time-of-Flight Detection. J. 

Pharm. and Biomed. Anal, 23: 897-907, 2000. 

13.Jeanville, PM., Estapé E., Torres-Negrón, I, E., Martí, A. Rapid confirmation/Quantitation of 

ecgonine methyl ester, benzoylecgonine, and cocaine using on-line extraction coupled with fast 

HPLC and Tandem Mass spectrometry. J. of Analytical Toxicology, 25: 1-7, 2001. 

14. Jeanville PM, Estapé E and Torres-Negron I. The affect of liquid chromatography eluents and 

additives on the possitive ion Responses of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and ecgonine methyl ester 

using electrospray ionization. Int. J. of Mass Spectrometry, 227:247-258, 2003. 

15. Estapé ES, Rodríguez-Orengo JF and Scott VJ. Development of Multidisciplinary Academic 

Programs for Clinical Research Education. Journal of Allied Health , Vol. 34 No 2, e55-e70, 

Summer 2005 . 

C. Research Support 

ACTIVE 

1. R25RR17589 NIH/NCRR/RCMI- CRECD 9/1/2007 – 8/31/2012 30% 

$ 2,435, 052 

Role: PI 

Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research 

The major goal of this project is to offer an accredited post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical 

Research for faculty development. 

2. 2S21MD001830-04 NIH-NCMHD 10/1/2008-9/30/2013 15% 

$15 m Endowment 

Role: PI (Multiple PI , with Dr. Walter Frontera, Dean , SoM) ) 

HISPANICS-IN-RESEARCH CAPABILITY: SoHP & SoM PARTNERSHIP 

. 

The mission of the NCMHD Endowment Program “HISPANICS-IN-RESEARCH CAPABILITY: 

SoHP & SoM Partnership (HIREC) is to expand and sustain high quality clinical and translational 

research training program and research infrastructure that will enhance minority health and 

increase health disparities research activities. 

3. NIH-NCRR 7/1/2007-6/30/2012 In Kind 

Role: Education/Dissemination Co-Chair for UPR 

RTRN- Educational Platform 

The goal of this component is to establish an education platform that draws from and expands 

upon existing institutional resources to enhance the capacity to conduct multi-center research 

studies as well as stimulating the interest of junior faculty interested in a career in clinical research.

4. NIH-NCRR 9/30/2009 - 8/31/2011 5% 

Role: PI $556,445 

ARRA administrative supplement for CRECD grant R25 RR017589 

The supplement will support training and career development activities that although novel and 

important, cannot be carried out with the current funding due to lack of human and technological 

resources. The requested supplement will allow our program to fulfill objectives we have not being 

able to meet such as that a minimum of 50% of the courses are offered with components in 

distance learning formats . In addition, the supplement will allow increasing the diversity pool of the 

clinical investigators prepared by the program by providing financial support to candidates from 

disciplines of difficult recruitment. 

Pending: 

1. NIH-NCRR-RCMI PAR 08-262 

Limited Competition for Research Centers in Minority Institutions Infrastructure for Clinical and 

Translational Research (RCTR) [U54] 

Role: Leader, Multidisciplinary Training and Career Development Activities 

The proposed RCTR re-organization goal is to improve coordination and synergy between the 

clinical and translational research and research training activities at our institution as a first step to 

achieve the ultimate goal of encompassing the coordination of all of the clinical and translational 

research activities at the University of Puerto Rico within a single administrative infrastructure. 

2. Not discussed, to be resubmitted 

Challenge area: (05) Comparative Effectiveness Research 

Topic: 05-MD-104 Screening of Health Disparity Conditions 

Grant 10269649 

Project title: Endogenous cardiotonic steroids as a marker for stroke 

Role : PI 

The challenge addressed by the proposed research project is to identify a marker for stroke, a 

disease with increased prevalence in minority groups, with the goal to provide an effective way to 

identify early those who are most likely to benefit from specific interventions for prevention or 

treatment that will result in reduced morbidity and mortality and improved survival rates in different 

disparity groups. The novel role of endogenous cardiotonic steroids, specifically digoxin-like 

immunoreactive factors, in ischemic stroke will be studied as a marker for stroke severity, 

disability and mortality.

Anejo 1 

Dra. Estela S. Estapé 

Resumen de experiencias 

Introduction 

The University of Puerto Rico was first established in 1900 as a School (“Escuela 

Normal Insular”) in the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, Fajardo, to develop teachers for the 

public instruction system. At that time, it had 20 students and 5 faculty members. Two 

years later, the School was transferred to Rio Piedras to be closer to San Juan, the 

capital city of Puerto Rico. In March 12 th , 1903 the law that formally recognized the UPR 

was signed and it started as a public higher education institution with 213 students. 

Since then, UPR has grown to include 11 Campuses throughout the island, 65,000 

students and 5,168 faculty members. 

UPR has grown to be the intellectual home for those that are in the pursuit of knowledge 

and wisdom ; those that feel the need to contribute to their island, be it socially, 

culturally, scientifically; those that want to serve through teaching, service, research; 

those that want to help others advance in their goals , professional careers and dreams. 

The UPR’s spirit is moved by its desire to be a major contributor in the growth and 

development of our student body; to be a major influence in their search for truth, values 

and hope; and with this in its mind and soul, move the island of Puerto Rico into the 

future with a firm and stable step and grip. 

As a potential candidate to be President of the University of Puerto Rico, I feel honored 

to present my experience and look forward to continue serving my island of Puerto Rico 

to the best of my abilities. 

Experiences Summary 

The following summary is an overview of my experiences since I joined the University of 

Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, (MSC-UPR) in 1978, with a special focus on the 

achievements during my tenure of almost 15 years as Dean of the School of Health 

Professions (SoHP). It emphasizes those talents and experiences that I believe will 

contribute to my effectiveness as the President of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), a 

most prestigious and challenging position. 

I am fully bilingual in Spanish and English. The summary is written in English for ease of 

reference to my Curriculum Vitae (CV) which lists many grants and external references 

that are in English. My academic-administrative plan for the UPR is written in Spanish to 

make it easily understood by a broad audience. 

As an active leader of our University, I am committed to continuing and expanding the 

strategic plan for the decade “ Diez para la Década”; moving us forward to become the 

premier Hispanic university in the world, assuring the UPR is respected internationally 

for our values and recognized for our achievements and contributions. To achieve this, I 

am totally committed to evaluating and stabilizing the financial status of the University as 

a priority task in these difficult times. This commitment shall provide the bases for the 

continuation and further development of the fundamental goals of the University: 

furtherance of knowledge, improvement of the quality of life for the population we serve, 

adaptation to our fast changing world in human, social, scientific and technical matters. 

This shall be attempted with the help of the Board of Trustees and every member of our 

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community, including students, faculty, administrative, technical and all non-teaching 

personnel. I am committed to transmitting to all of our community the same sense of 

pride, ownership, enthusiasm, optimism and happiness that I feel every time I talk about 

our University. 

The summary presents my experience according to the criteria and qualifications 

expected by the Board of Trustees for the candidate to occupy the position of UPR 

President: Leadership, Managerial and administrative skills, Effective personal skills, 

Leadership in the external community and Commitment to the strengthening of external 

resources. 

I. Leadership (Academic, Professional and Research) 

In order to facilitate reading and evaluation, I divided the description of my leadership 

experience in the three main responsibilities of a faculty member: academic or teaching, 

professional or service, and research. The details can be found in the Curriculum Vitae 

and Biographical Sketch. 

A. Academic 

In August 1978, I joined the UPR as an Instructor of the Medical Technology 

baccalaureate program, College of Health Related Professions, now School of Health 

Professions (SoHP), Medical Sciences Campus and rose to full professor in 1992. 

Before becoming Dean of SoHP in 1995, I was an active faculty member of the School 

occupying various academic leadership positions while teaching and doing research at 

the San Juan Veteran's Hospital Research Service (VA). 

From 1978 to 1995, I occupied the following academic leadership positions: Director, 

Medical Technology Program; Interim Director, Department of Collaborative Medical 

Programs; Faculty Advisor and Sponsor for Research Centers in Minority Institutions 

(RCMI), NIH, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico (MSC-UPR); served 

for nine consecutive years as a Member of the Editorial Board, Puerto Rico Health 

Sciences Journal, MSC-UPR and for eight years as member of the Institutional Animal 

Care and Use Committee. In addition, I was Coordinator of the Subcommittee to 

evaluate criteria for promotion of Institutional Investigators at the MSC-UPR. 

At the VA, I received recognition as a Merit Review Investigator. I was an active member 

of the Subcommittee on Research in Human Subjects; Chair of the Subcommittee on 

Research in Animal Subjects and Consultant for the Health Service Research and 

Development Center for Hispanic Studies. I continued as a member of the Research and 

Development Committee, VA until 1999, when I was named again to serve as a member 

of the Editorial Board, Puerto Rico Health Science Journal, MSC-UPR until 2003. 

After becoming Dean in 1995, I continued to be active in other academic roles such as 

Director of the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, SoHP and Director of 

the post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSc) and Graduate Certificate 

in Clinical Research, joint programs between SoHP and School of Medicine, MSC-UPR. 

These two new academic programs were developed in 2002 to increase the participation 

in clinical research from the different academic schools. The MSc program ultimate 

mission is to promote the development of multidisciplinary scientific teams working in 

collaboration toward the attainment of two common goals: improvement in quality of life 

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and decrease of health disparities. This Program will serve as a significant tool in the 

implementation of the translation of basic and clinical research findings into better health 

care and lifestyle. The second program is the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research 

and its main objective is to increase competencies in clinical research through 

completion of the didactic program. 

The effort to bring the two schools to work together in the successful creation of new 

joint academic programs required skillful tactics, non-confrontational negotiation, 

convincing trust, respect of each other’s values and strong leadership. To our 

knowledge, this is the first time that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded an 

investigator from a school of allied health to be the Principal Investigator in the 

development and implementation of an accredited academic graduate program in clinical 

research at an academic health center. In our Campus, it is also the first time that the 

diplomas are offered as a joint degree between two distinct academic units. These 

programs support the creation of partnerships of non-physician clinician-scientists, 

practicing physicians, physician-scientists and basic scientists as an effective way to 

increase clinical research productivity. In addition, these programs provide the 

competencies and skills in clinical research required not only for the participation of 

health related disciplines in which the entry level is a professional doctoral degree or 

have a PhD, but also to candidates who are health professionals with non-health related 

doctorates, such as education. 

I am also responsible for the coordination of an outstanding group of leaders who were 

successful in the celebration of the following international events in San Juan, Puerto 

Rico with the main goal of advancing our School as a global leader in the formation of 

health professionals and to be recognized as such. The most relevant activities are: 

-1st Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions, October 8-10, 1996. 

-2 nd Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions in conjunction with 1999 Winter 

Meeting of Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions, January 26-29, 1999. 

-3 rd Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and World Congress III of Health 

Professions, March 26-30, 2001. 

-4 th Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and 1 st Multidisciplinary Clinical 

Research Conference, December 6-8, 2004. 

-5 th Hispanic Congress of Health Related Professions and 2 nd Multidisciplinary Clinical 

Research Conference, December 6-8, 2007. 

In progress: Health Disparities Summit, December 10 and 11 th , 2009. 

For the collaborative work in developing clinical research training and education at 

the MSC-UPR, I have received important recognition at the local and national level such 

as being invited to be a member of the Health Disparities Advisory Committee on 

Research and Research Infrastructure for the Capacity Advancement in Research 

Infrastructure (UPRSD: CAiRI): University of Puerto Rico School of Medical Dentistry; 

member, Board of Directors, Association of Clinical Research Training (ACRT) and 

member, External Advisory Board, Center for Translational and Clinical Research, Mayo 

Clinic, Minnesota. 

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B. Professional 

I am a licensed Medical Technologist in Puerto Rico and also, I have the national 

American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board license. Regardless of my multiple 

academic and research commitments, I have been able to continue active in my 

professional career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Pharmacologist and Forensic 

Toxicologist. From 1993 - 2007, I was President, Pharmacology and Toxicology 

Consultant Services (DBA) until 2008, when I became Director, Clinical Laboratory and 

Forensic Toxicology Expert Consultant Services, School of Health Professions 

Intramural Practice, MSC-UPR. I am a member of the College of American Pathologists 

(CAP) Inspection Team, Commission on Laboratory Accreditation and Laboratory 

Inspector and Consultant, National Laboratory Certification Program - SAMSHA, 

Research Triangle Institute. 

For my service in the clinical laboratory sciences and forensic toxicology, I have 

been recognized many times which are detailed in my CV. Some of these : to be 

recognized by the Board of Directors, College of Medical Technology of Puerto Rico, for 

outstanding achievements in Clinical Laboratory Science; to be invited by the 

Administrator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Department 

of Health and Human Services to serve on the Drug Testing Advisory Board and to be 

invited by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of 

the President to represent the United States in the “Reunión de la Comisión 

Interamericana para el Control del Abuso de Drogas de la Organización de los Estados 

Americanos, CICAD/OEA “, Santiago, Chile in 2007. 

I have also authored numerous reviews, seminars, trainings and courses related to the 

clinical laboratory sciences, with a focus on my areas of specialty: Clinical Chemistry 

and Toxicology. I was also the main author of the original academic proposal for the 

creation of a Master in Science in Clinical Laboratory Science (MSCLS) and its update in 

1993, which was finally approved in 1996 by the UPR Board of Trustees. I have been 

able to continue my role as Director because of a very effective and productive 

Associate Director and faculty as partners. The program has successfully graduated 

over 80 students who, for example, have joined the labor force as clinical laboratory 

supervisors, research technicians in academia and industry, faculty members in higher 

education institutions, and quality control supervisors in clinical and industrial settings. 

In 2004, I had the opportunity to lead an outstanding group of faculty that helped in the 

writing of an academic proposal for a curriculum revision of the Master of Science in 

Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program to offer a Master of Science in Molecular 

Diagnostics and Laboratory Management with a track in Advanced Clinical Laboratory 

Sciences and another track in Applied Diagnostics. After numerous revisions and 

dialogue, the University Board approved that the program continue offering the same 

degree title but authorize the creation of a specialized track in molecular diagnostics. The 

proposed changes will provide the opportunity for career development to medical 

technologists interested in molecular diagnostics and laboratory sciences. This revision is 

consonant with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences 

(NAACLS), the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics 

(NCHPEG) and the Biotechnology Alliance of Puerto Rico organized by the Puerto Rico 

Industrial Development Corporation (PRIDCO), which has identified skills and 

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competencies needed in the laboratory personnel working in the pharmaceutical 

manufacturing industry which presently are lacking in their hired personnel. 

This newly revised program admitted its first class of students now in August, 2009. In 

our attempt to make this program accessible to as many professionals as possible, the 

program continues to be offered on Saturdays and during late afternoon and evening 

hours. The current program is an interdisciplinary program, which taps into the resources 

of most of the Schools within the Medical Sciences Campus. The program’s faculty has 

included faculty members of the SoHP, the School of Medicine Departments of 

Biochemistry, Microbiology and Pathology and the School of Pharmacy. In addition, the 

program uses the resources of the Department of Health of the Government of Puerto 

Rico and invites prestigious local and national faculty. In summary, the proposed changes 

emphasize the knowledge and practice of molecular and cell biology based techniques 

and their applications in clinical diagnostics, administration skills and quality control. This 

program will be supported by a new Molecular Diagnostics Clinical Laboratory at the 3 rd 

floor of the renovated Nursing Building, which we hope to inaugurate in August, 2010. 

As shown in my CV, I have been fortunate in receiving numerous invitations that have 

helped me to advance knowledge in the clinical laboratory sciences and toxicology at 

local, national and international scenarios. For example, in 1996 I presented “Vision of 

the Clinical Laboratory Sciences toward a New Century” at the Opening Key Conference 

at the 24 th Annual Meeting of the College of Medical Technologists in San Juan, Puerto 

Rico. In 2002, I presented “Emergence of clinical research in the clinical laboratory 

sciences” at the World Congress Joint meeting of the International Association of 

Medical Laboratory Technologists and the American Society of Clinical Laboratory 

Sciences in Florida, USA and in 2004, I was invited to present “Reality 

Pharmacogenomics: Implementation in the Clinical Laboratory” at the American 

Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, California. 

C. Research 

My experience in research has helped me to: make the best use of time, be better 

organized, accept and value criticism, be able to manage budget in a strict, orderly and 

productive manner, prepare annual progress reports, have a quick eye to see gaps in 

information for potential funding, be good at writing successful grants, be timely and 

precise in my judgment, have the desire to be a good role model and help others that 

would like to advance as investigators. I have applied my experience and background in 

research to promote and advance the Medical Sciences Campus clinical and 

translational research agenda by obtaining external funding to increase the number of 

talented clinical researchers addressing minority health and health disparities and to 

provide career development opportunities. One of our ultimate goals is to develop 

multidisciplinary research teams that will collaborate in the translation of research 

findings to improve people’s quality of life. 

In order to be actively engaged in the clinical research training leadership at the national 

level, I was able to be nominated and selected as the first minority institution 

representative and first Hispanic to become a member of the Board of Directors of the 

Association of Clinical Research Training (ACRT), previously known as K30 Program 

Directors Association (2006-2009). Since the creation of the clinical research programs 

at the MSC-UPR and its success as a multidisciplinary training program, I have been 

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fortunate in receiving invitations to share strategies developed in its design and 

implementation in important national and international meetings. Since 2001- 2009, a 

total of 32 Scholars encompassing different disciplines have been admitted to the master 

in clinical research program: 15 MD’s, 7 DMD’s, 6 PhD’s, 2 EdD’s and in addition a 4 th 

year medical student and a PhD candidate. The scope of research sponsored by the 

MSc program cover basic, clinical, social and behavioral health disparities research. 

Specific targeted areas of research are chronic diseases such as: cardiovascular, 

cancer, HIV, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Aging, mental health and psychiatric 

disorders, drug abuse and addiction, and oral health are also being targeted. 

Going back to 1978, my desire to help others reach their goals stems from my own 

experience as a young faculty member entering the UPR Faculty as an Instructor. At that 

moment in my life, I had dreams to become a researcher while being a married mother 

of two young children (at that moment almost 5 and 1 years old) who had just moved 

from Ponce to San Juan and had no means to support her doctoral studies. I was 

successful in applying and obtaining a Minority Access to Research Career (MARC), 

NIH Faculty Fellowship to do my doctoral studies to evaluate intercellular communication 

in the heart under the mentorship of Dr. Walmor de Mello, Director of the Pharmacology 

Department, MSC-UPR. My research work was published immediately after the 

completion in 1983 of a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology and this publication was 

one of the first ones to note the role of cAMP and cGMP in the regulation of cardiac cellcell 

communication. In addition to this manuscript, I presented and published three 

abstracts that same year. 

After completing my doctoral degree, I was able to manage my role as an active SoHP 

faculty member with a full academic load and the responsibilities of being a Merit 

Review Investigator of the Veterans Administration (equivalent to NIH RO1’s 

Investigator). For my work at the VA, I received Performance Awards for Outstanding 

Rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs every year from 1990 until 1997. My 

research work at VA was carried out under the mentorship of Dr. Manuel Martínez- 

Maldonado, at that time Medical Director at VA and Dr. Oscar Candia, Director of the 

Ophthalmology Department and Research Director, Mt Sinai, NY. During those 12 years, 

I participated actively in 7 funded research projects, of which I was Principal or Co- 

Principal Investigator in the last three as follows: 

-Evaluation of cataracts in hypertension: Lens ionic conductance (0001), Merit Review 

Program, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., Principal Investigator (1989- 

1990) 

-Evaluation of cataracts in hypertension: Lens ionic conductance (0002), Merit Review 

Program, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., Co-Principal Investigator (1990- 

1992) 

-Cataracts in hypertensive rat: Lens Na+ and K+ transport properties (0003), Merit 

Review Program, Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Washington, D.C., Co-Principal 

Investigator (1992-1995) 

During a period of 10 years (1986-1996), I was able to publish 8 peer reviewed 

manuscripts in prestigious scientific journals such as Hypertension, Journal of 

Hypertension, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and Current Eye 

Research and was first author in two of the 8 manuscripts. During this same period of 

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time , I participated in 20 published abstracts that were presented at national and 

international meetings, including France, Japan, Australia, Argentina and Brazil. Of 

these 20 abstracts, I was first author in eleven of them, including a study on the blood 

pressure in Rhesus monkeys; six (6) studies related to salt sensitive cataract prone rats 

published in national and international proceedings and journals and two studies related 

to my research project while becoming Dean: the finding of increased Digoxin-Like 

Immunoreactive Factor (DLIF) during chronic high sodium intake in young hypertensive 

Dahl salt-sensitive rats. 

In 1994, I had started working on a new research project with the collaboration of Dr. 

Roland Valdes, Director of Valdes Laboratories at Louisville School of Medicine, 

Kentucky to study the potential role of DLIF in cataract formation and stroke-proneness 

related to salt-sensitivity and hypertension. In addition to the two abstracts described 

above, three additional abstracts were presented related to the role of DLIF in II 

Congreso Latinoamericano de Nefrología (1994), XIth Scientific Meeting, Inter-American 

Society of Hypertension (1995) and Annual Scientific Meeting of the Puerto Rico Heart 

Association (1996). With my becoming Dean in 1995 and the VA closing of their 

research facilities in San Juan, this research work remained inactive until now in 2009. 

In collaboration with Dr. Valdes and a group of prestigious local and national 

researchers, I submitted as Principal Investigator a challenge grant to Comparative 

Effectiveness Research (Topic: 05-MD-104 Screening of Health Disparity Conditions - 

Grant 10269649) , Project title: “Endogenous cardiotonic steroids as a marker for 

stroke” . The challenge addressed by the proposed research project is to identify a 

marker for stroke, a disease with increased prevalence in minority groups, with the goal 

to provide an effective way to identify early those who are most likely to benefit from 

specific interventions for prevention or treatment that will result in reduced morbidity and 

mortality and improved survival rates in different disparity groups. The novel role of 

endogenous cardiotonic steroids, such as digoxin-like immunoreactive factors, in 

ischemic stroke will be studied as a marker for stroke severity, disability and mortality. 

The grant was reviewed but not discussed and the group is working to address the 

concerns of the scientific reviewers for resubmission. On this occasion, I am taking all 

the necessary steps to identify the proper leaders that will continue this study if I 

become President of the UPR. 

In addition to my role as an active investigator, I have mentored several master and 

doctoral students, some in the clinical laboratory sciences or pharmacology disciplines at 

our institution and at the national level. For example, I had the experience of being comentor 

at a distance of the PhD Thesis Committee of Patrick M. Jeanville, 

Pharmacology and Toxicology Dept., Brown University Graduate School, Providence, 

Rhode Island. After being his co-mentor, I continued to collaborate with Dr. Jeanville in 

several peer-reviewed publications. As a result, we published 5 peer reviewed 

manuscripts in 4 years (2000-2003) in prestigious scientific journals such as: Journal of 

the American Society of Mass Spectrometry, Journal of Chromatography, J. Pharm. and 

Biomed. Anal. , J. of Analytical Toxicology and Int. J. of Mass Spectrometry. 

II. Managerial and administrative skills 

I became Dean of the College of Health Related Professions (CHRP) in February 1995. 

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During 1994-1995 the CHRP, now SoHP was in a very difficult fiscal situation, with 

approximately 7.2 million uncollected receivables from external resources. With hard 

work, determination and cooperation from the faculty and staff, the SoHP was able to 

collect the complete amount. In addition, in June 1994 the School had near $800,000 in 

operating expenses over the allotted budget. To this effect, the Central Administration 

identified $500,000, the only increase the SoHP ever had in the past 15 years. 

Notwithstanding this and subsequent four budget cuts, the SoHP has succeeded to 

balance its budget every year in part by streamlining operational expenses, 

implementing an academic-administrative reorganization and increasing revenue from 

external sources. 

In l992, after a comprehensive evaluation of internal factors affecting the CHRP 

effectiveness, a Strategic Planning Committee identified eight areas of concern that the 

School needed to improve. These were: 1) delay in decision-making, 2) excessive 

participation of faculty in academic-administrative work, 3) absence of interdisciplinarity, 

4) centralization of the administrative processes, 5) lack of effective support to the Office 

of Academic Affairs, 6) leadership and communication problems, 7) ineffective use of 

financial, human, and physical resources, and 8) difficulty of achieving optimal 

development of the programs in the areas of teaching, service, and research. The 

external evaluators recommended an urgent change of academic-administrative 

structure by academic level. 

Nevertheless, still in 1995, this crucial decision was in debate with the request of other 

faculty leaders that recommended the programs to become departments. I was one of 

the latter group, but after becoming Dean, I realized that the other option was a better 

one from a financial point of view. Two years later in 1997, the academic-administrative 

structure was changed from five departments to two departments: graduate and 

undergraduate. It was the first time that we know of in the University, that an academicadministrative 

structure was reorganized with the aim to decentralize and provide 

autonomy and decision making power to the base, the academic programs. Previous to 

the reorganization, the program directors neither had direct control nor knowledge over 

budget distribution, and requests were made to the Dean according to their immediate 

needs. In addition, Program Directors’ decision-making was minimal and there were no 

job descriptions for either of these positions, except the general duties for Department 

Director in the Rules and Regulations of the University of Puerto Rico. 

Through the implementation of the academic-administrative reorganization in l997 and 

the development of a new Strategic Plan for l997-2002, the departments acquired 

specific responsibilities in achieving goals and objectives within the plan. Decisionmaking 

power was granted to program and department directors regarding budget 

control. Immediately preceding the implementation of the academic-administrative 

reorganization of the School, individual expense accounts were created and assigned to 

each program, department, and office. This was an effort to decentralize budget 

distribution and control. In order to determine the amount of funds to be assigned to 

each account, a zero-based budget analysis was performed by each director indicating 

the minimum budget needed to cover their most basic needs. These included 

accreditation expenses, office and teaching materials, and minimal travel funds. All 

requests were evaluated according to justification, priorities and availability of funds for a 

proportional distribution of a very limited budget. Although the amount of each 

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assignment was minimal, the creation of individualized accounts allowed for budget 

control at all levels. In addition, as an incentive to increase external funds, programs 

with activities that generate additional income and programs that receive donations are 

authorized to deposit the money into the program’s account for their own utilization. 

Other notable achievements of the SoHP during this period are: 

-In 1995, the Associate Deanship of Nursing became the 6 th School at the Medical 

Sciences Campus. Nursing was an Associate Deanship under the SoHP since the 

creation of the CHRP in 1976. 

-The Office of Technological and Educational Resources was created with Title III funds 

and later supported by a Title V grant. From zero technology in 1995, SoHP has fully 

developed an Internet infrastructure to support and train students and faculty for learning 

and teaching and is recognized as a leader in using Blackboard for distance education. It 

is also the first to have a web portal for the faculty and another for the students. 

-The name of College of Health Related Professions was changed to School of Health 

Professions to maintain national and international competitiveness and recognition as a 

leader in health professions. 

-The School of Health Professions is the first academic unit of the UPR to design, in 

collaboration with the Deanship of Administration, a Guide for Telework (Teletrabajo) 

and to be able to implement it successfully for teaching personnel without an institutional 

office. 

-The SoHP Intramural Practice was approved initially with Audiology services, and later 

other clinical and consulting services have been added such as nutrition, MRO, Forensic 

Toxicology, rehabilitation services, administration of health information and the latest, 

Speech and language pathology . 

-Two Strategic Plans were planned, designed and approved, for the 1997- 2002 and 

2003-2008 five-year terms, including the reformulation of Vision and Mission. 

-Development of two new units under the SoHP Office of Academic Affairs: Unidad de 

Avalúo y Unidad de Documentos Históricos 

Development of two new units under the Dean’s Office: Development and Alumni Office 

(had to be closed for 2009-2010 due to budget cuts) and Assistant Dean for Research 

(ad-honorem position due to very limited budget) 

-Creation of an external Advisory Board to the Dean composed of representative leaders 

from each of the disciplines 

-Development and implementation of Guidelines such as: 

Norms and Procedures for SoHP Faculty Evaluation 

Orientation Manual for SoHP Faculty 

Manual for the Promotion and Graduation Committee 

Policy for Faculty Travel 

SoHP Intramural Practice Regulations 

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Guidelines to facilitate communication between professors in Telework and 

students 

Manual for the Faculty Issues Committee 

In addition to all of the above, we were able with the collaboration of the Chancellor’s 

Office and Dean of Administration Office personnel, to succeed in moving all the SoHP 

personnel, equipment and materials out of the two buildings occupying a space of over 

8,000 sq. feet into a total of approximately 3,000 rented sq. feet in less than 6 months 

from February – July, 2007. 

This plan neither included office space for teaching faculty nor identified classrooms, 

except for OT and PT programs. The lack of faculty office space was temporarily solved 

by approving Telework. Nevertheless, the classroom situation has been very difficult and 

thanks to the cooperation of the administration, faculty and students, the SoHP has been 

able to overcome the challenge without adversely affecting the learning process or 

program accreditations. 

III. Effective personal skills 

Although it is difficult to self assess your own personal skills regarding leadership and 

communication skills, one can judge from the outcomes of everyday work how effective 

these are. Being Dean for almost 15 years of a very multidisciplinary, talented and vocal 

faculty and personnel has given me the opportunity to learn to listen to others and to 

express my opinions in a dialogue without losing the control of the situation. I feel I have 

become a respected leader among all those that have to work under my supervision, 

those who are my peers and those to whom I respond. I consider all advice and 

criticism with an open mind, understanding that the final decision is my responsibility. 

In implementing a decision that can have an impact of change to any process related to 

the well being of faculty, students or personnel, I take extra care in making sure that a 

majority of the group understands and agrees with the reasoning justifying such a 

decision and that they are able to carry the message and explain it to others. As a Dean, 

I have learned a lot about myself and about academic leadership, about the importance 

of listening with respect to all advice and opinions, regardless of the person’s position, 

title or academic preparation. 

I consider that I have the capacity to modify my leadership style and strategies according 

to the situation and that I can establish and maintain good interpersonal communication 

in order to be effective, efficient, successful, useful, productive and assertive. My 

actions have demonstrated that I am accessible when needed, straightforward and 

sincere, ethical and just, considerate, responsible and open in my opinions. I do my best 

to be conciliatory and appeasing in difficult and stressful situations, trying to bring the 

best in myself and others for the good of the institution. 

IV. Leadership in the external community 

During my 31 years in the University, I have been very active in health policy-making 

and research advocacy. As such, I was an active member of the Research Committee of 

the American Heart Association, Florida/Puerto Rico Affiliate and a member of its Board 

of Directors (1997 - 2003). One of my contributions to the organization was my active 

role in the group that created a successful pilot project to increase the participation of 

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women and minorities in research. In addition to being a member of the American Heart 

Association, I have been appointed to be a member of the following Boards: Editorial 

Board, Journal of Allied Health, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions 

(1997 - 2003); Board of Directors, Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions 

(2000 – 2003); Advisory Committee for the Division of Interdisciplinary, Communitybased 

Programs and the Bureau of Health Professions (2000- 2004); Board of Directors, 

New Alliances Consortium of Nursing and Allied Health for International Cooperation - 

NACNAH (2002 – 2005); Board of Directors, Association of Southern Allied Health 

Deans at Academic Health Centers (2002 – 2004); Community Advisory Board, Puerto 

Rico-Heart Association (2004- 2006); Board of Directors, Association for Clinical 

Research Training (ACRT) (2006 – 2009); Drug Testing Advisory Board, SAMSHA, 

DHHS (September, 2005- Present); and National Alliance to Build Allied Health 

Research Capacity ( 2004- Present). 

I have also been an active collaborator of several important local organizations such as 

with the Puerto Rico Higher Education Advisory Council as President and member of 

several accrediting committees, member of the Research Committee of the American 

Heart Association, Puerto Rico Chapter, and member of the Advisory Committee to the 

PR Governor for the evaluation of the impact of the PR health reform on health 

professions education (Call to Action Health Reform 2009). 

At the national level, I have helped to organize scientific activities such as being part of 

the Organizing Committee of the 8 th Scientific Congress, Interamerican Society of 

Hypertension; Organizer of the First Florida Section American Association of Clinical 

Chemistry Symposium at the 2 nd Congress of Medical Technology, San Juan, Puerto 

Rico; representing the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) and 

the University of Puerto Rico at the Second Planning Meeting for the establishment of 

the National Association of Hispanic Serving Health Professions Schools. 

For my role as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Schools of Allied 

Health Professions ( ASAHP) , member of the Government Relations Committee for 5 

years, member of the Task Force on Science Policy and for promoting collaboration 

among different cultures and disciplines, I was honored with the ASAHP Cultural 

Pluralism Award, invited by the Haworth Press, Inc. to pre-review the publication of the 

book: Allied Health-Practice Issues and Trends in the New Millennium and became a 

Fellow of the Association - FASAHP in 2004. 

During the last 8 years (2000-2008), I have been invited to present in 16 occasions at 

local, national and international meetings regarding the collaborative achievements in 

education, research and service. At the local scenario, I have offered 5 conferences, two 

related to Clinical Laboratory Sciences and 3 regarding the multidisciplinary experience 

of the post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research and the distribution of 

research grants and contracts at the MSC-UPR. 

At the national level, I have addressed several and distinct topics such as: 

Interdisciplinary Approach to Health Care Delivery - An Academic Perspective at the 

2 nd International Conference on Health Issues, The University of Texas Pan-American, 

College of Heath Sciences and Human Services and the University of Texas Health 

Sciences Center at San Antonio Medical School, Edinburg, Texas and Restructuring 

academic units at Academic Health Centers, Academic organizational approaches to 

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transforming health science education, Northeastern University, Bouve College of Health 

Sciences, Boston, MA . 

I have been successful in creating alliances with recognized institutions that are of 

great benefit to the advancement of institutional goals and development of the students. 

The most notable are Mayo Clinic, University of Vermont, Hartford Hospital, Genomas, 

Inc. and universities in Spain and England. 

The Mayo Clinic faculty has been an active partner since the creation of the postdoctoral 

Master of Science in Clinical Research (MSc) and the result was one of 

effective and efficient multidisciplinary teamwork, networking and collaboration. Their K- 

30 program’s strong support in the development of the MSc didactic curriculum was 

instrumental in our success, as well as the willingness and commitment of experienced 

Mayo Clinic researchers to help us expand our mentors’ abilities. This strong partnership 

includes activities such as: participation of their leaders in decision-making by being 

members of the Executive and Curriculum Advisory Committees and participation of 

their faculty as mentors and lecturers. In addition, the UPR MSc graduates were 

included as candidates to obtain the support and inter-institutional collaboration provided 

by the Mayo Clinic‘s Road Map K12 program. The first UPR MSc Scholar was accepted 

on July 1 st , 2006 and obtained 4 years of funding, two of them at Mayo Clinic and the 

last two at UPR. Our close collaboration with Mayo Clinic at Rochester remains 

ongoing and is currently expanding. In addition, as a member of their CTSA External 

Advisory Committee, several new initiatives have developed that benefit our Scholars 

and relationship. 

At the University of Puerto Rico, the Friday videoconference meetings were 

incorporated as a formal educational experience in the curriculum of the post-doctoral 

Master in Clinical Research (MSc). On certain Fridays at noon, faculty, fellows and 

scholars from the University of Vermont and UPR meet in videoconference to share 

and discuss ideas on original research works and publications in progress among other 

subjects. The videoconferences have been successful in providing a supportive and 

diverse community of inquiry. The intangible benefits of videoconferencing included the 

facilitation of group interaction among geographically distant participants and a stronger 

sense of community among participants both within and between institutions. Another 

objective of the videoconference seminars is to network and learn about each other’s 

research interests to be able to develop collaborative research projects. The Friday 

Videoconference seminars have been highly effective as a scientific communication 

training tool for developing presentation and writing skills of the scholars. 

As part of my collaboration efforts and partnership with other institutions, I have been 

fortunate in having the opportunity to co-design a 6 month clinical rotation for Medical 

Technology students in Genomas, Inc and Hartford Hospital in Connecticut to develop 

advanced skills in pharmacogenetics and molecular diagnostics (2006-present). 

Stemming from this collaboration, the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences 

was able to develop and implement successfully a curricular change to address the need 

for more specialized studies in molecular diagnostics. 

In addition to supporting clinical research at the MSC-UPR, I was also a collaborator 

in creating the Transatlantic Health Science Consortium, U.S. Department of 

Education, Funding for the Improvement of Post-secondary Education (FIPSE Grant 

P116J030041), Implementation of an International Program in Clinical Laboratory 

Science, Collaborator (2003-2006). This grant provided funds for 6 students of the 

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Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences to do their Clinical Immunology 

Practice course in a recognized European university. As part of the course, 4 students 

were able to travel during the month of July to Cádiz, Spain University at the Puerto Real 

University Hospital and two students went to Wolverhampton, UK. This collaboration 

was the result of my active involvement in two international organizations: Networking 

the Americas Consortium of Nursing and Allied Health for International Cooperation 

(NACNAH), of which I was one on the co-founding members and the Consortium of 

Higher Education for Health and Rehabilitation in Europe (COHEHRE). 

V. Commitment with the strengthening of external resources 

During my tenure as Dean, I have been seriously committed to contribute to the 

development and stability of the institution by evaluating alternatives and strategies that 

will help expand the economical resources available. I have demonstrated the capacity 

to carefully evaluate financial situations, taking into consideration the opinion of all 

affected by the situation regardless of their position and making decisions that can be 

effective, timely and productive. My leadership style to motivate faculty and personnel to 

participate in increasing external resources has some basic principles: that those 

involved feel valued and fully realize the benefits of their actions, that they feel engaged 

and afterwards, they receive the appropriate public recognition for their efforts. 

With regard to the precarious financial situation in which I found the SoHP , I was able 

to gather forces among faculty, staff and personnel to turn a College that was broke into 

a competitive, proud and financial stable School regardless of the unstable fiscal 

environment that has surrounded us ever since. The School budget for 1995 was 

$4,873,451.00, closing $800,000 short at the end of the fiscal year and a debt of 7.2 

million due mainly to uncollected invoices for clinical services. During these 15 years, 

the School received only one increase of 0.5 million for 1995-1996 and four budget cuts 

totaling $398,135.00. Some of the strategies used to offset the financial difficulties and 

move forward were: 

• Implementation of the academic-administrative reorganization where it changed 

from five Departments to two Departments, streamlining the administrative 

structure and increasing autonomy at the base. 

• Creation of accounts for every Director with the basic minimum budget required 

to operate in accordance to accrediting agencies requirements when applicable 

and maintaining high standards of operation. Any external funds produced by 

the faculty are not taken by the Dean to help others, but are deposited in the 

program’s or Office account so they help in their own operational expenses such 

as buying equipment , maintenance , official travel , association professional 

fees and other justifiable expenses. 

• Creation of an Intramural Practice with two options: the faculty can practice in 

their own time and generate income for themselves or the faculty can practice as 

part of their teaching load and the income goes to the program. The Intramural 

practice also serves as a clinical practice site and helps the School’s goal to 

provide service in their areas of expertise. It also provides the opportunity to stay 

in practice in the UPR system, instead of having a second job outside the 

institution. 

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• Creation of a Dean’s Immediate Staff (SID) and a Dean’s Administrative Staff 

(SAD) to help the Dean in decision making related to operations and finances. 

• Establishing a Faculty Committee and a non-Teaching Personnel Committee 

including the maintenance personnel, that recommends to the Dean those 

candidates to be recognized as Distinguished for their contribution to the School 

in a formal activity celebrated annually every December. 

• Include representation of the non-teaching personnel and students in every 

School’s permanent committee. 

• Publication of the SoHP biannual newsletter ALIANZA to maintain contact with 

alumni and retired faculty and personnel ; naming a faculty member with 75% of 

effort for development, recruitment and alumni relations 

• Organization of the Hispanic Congresses of Health Professions funded mainly by 

external sponsors and registration fees to build up the pride of the School as a 

global leader in the formation of health professionals and motivate faculty 

productivity. 

• Provide support to the Office of Continuing Education (DECEP) in order to 

increase external revenues. 

• Motivate the faculty with academic time release for research and scholarly 

activities followed by an annual report for continuation. 

• Control of Faculty travel: funds limited to a certain amount, priority given to 

original presentations and accreditation activities. 

During the last eight years of my Deanship (2001-2009), in collaboration with other 

academic leaders I have spearheaded the approval of grants to help support the 

development of clinical research training and education to increase the number of 

Hispanic clinical researchers and address health disparities. We have been able to raise 

$20,750,308 in external funds as described below: 

-Planning Grant, Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research, National 

Institutes of Health 1R21AR48043 Principal Investigator (2001-2002) - $223, 505 

-Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health 

1R25RR17589, Principal Investigator (2002-2007) - $2,491,751 

-Post-doctoral Master of Science in Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health , 


Career Development ( CRECD) Program, R25RR17589, Principal Investigator (2007- 

2012). – $2,435,052 

-Hispanics in Research Capability: SoHP and SoM Partnership (HiREC) , National 

Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities Endowment Programs, National 

Institutes of Health, 2S21MD001830-04, Co-Principal Investigator ( 2008-2013)- $15 

million . 

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The mission of HiREC is to expand and sustain high quality clinical and translational 

research training program and research infrastructure that will enhance minority health 

and increase health disparities research activities. The HIREC Endowment specifically 

addresses the schools’ concern about the shortage of motivated well trained 

independent minority clinical researchers and the need for training of clinicians and 

physicians to enable and encourage them to engage in clinical research in minority 

populations. The participation in activities related to minority health and health 

disparities, as well as the opportunity to interact with experienced NIH-R-01 visiting 

professors and a better infrastructure to support e-learning will be some of the strategies 

that will facilitate the development of studies addressing research questions related to 

minority populations that benefit minority communities. Obtaining a competitive 

endowed fund that will enhance and incentivize health professions and medicine 

disciplines to become independent clinical researchers positioned to initiate original and 

important clinical investigations, will help provide a collaborative, attractive, and 

sustainable environment for the recruitment and retention of highly qualified clinical 

researchers. 

-ARRA administrative supplement for CRECD grant R25 RR017589, National Center for 

Research Resources (NCRR), Clinical Research Education and Career Development 

(CRECD) Program, Principal Investigator ( 2009-2011)- $600,000 The most recent 

achievement in obtaining additional funding to support the MSc was the approval of 

$600,000 from an ARRA administrative supplement for CRECD grant R25 RR017589, 


Career Development ( CRECD) Program . The supplement will support training and 

career development activities that although novel and important, cannot be carried out 

with the current funding due to lack of human and technological resources. The 

requested supplement will allow our program to fulfill objectives we have not been able 

to meet, such as that a minimum of 50% of the courses are offered with components in 

distance learning formats . In addition, the supplement will allow increasing the diversity 

pool of the clinical investigators prepared by the program by providing financial support 

to candidates from disciplines of difficult recruitment. 

Conclusion 

I have been very fortunate to survive through very difficult times, both in my personal 

and professional lives and I still feel very energized, optimistic and willing to continue to 

pursue the conquest of more challenges that will help to make me a better person and to 

help others. I strongly believe that the University is a pathway, not a destiny. We at the 

University co-exist to give each person that enters our aula, the skills and knowledge, 

the opportunities and challenges to examine and adopt the values to lead and inspire 

their lives and to pursue success and happiness in their choice of a career. As a 

member of UPR, it is the responsibility of each faculty member and employee to help 

and contribute in the offering of the most excellent and vanguard education possible 

which our students deserve. As President, if selected for this important task, I shall take 

as my main responsibility to fulfill this mission by leading our excellent colleagues and 

support personnel in our common goal, and to move forward to place the UPR as one of 

the finest Hispanic leader institutions in Puerto Rico, the US and globally in the 

academic preparation of successful entrepreneurs. 

15

CURRICULUM VITAE ESTELA S. ESTAPE , MT, PhD, FASAHP ...

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