The Biomedical Research Education Program (BREP) of Puerto Rico participated in the Xth Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program International Symposium "Pathways to Discovery: Multidisciplinary Translational Research" held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel during December 13-16, 2006.
The Symposium focused on enhancing the research skills and facilitating collaborations among investigators and students at RCMI institutions through a series of scientific presentations and collaborative training workshops. The symposium also showcased the excellence in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral research conducted in the institutions supported by the RCMI Program.
A special presentation of the Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) was conducted on December 15, 2006 as part of a series of meetings targeted to promote collaborations between different NCRR-support initiatives. Dr. L. Tony Beck, SEPA Program Officer at NCRR, provided an overview of the SEPA program and its impact on students, science teachers, and the general community. Ms. Joan Blanton, Program Manager, Jackson State University, Dr. Kelley Withy, Principal Investigator, University of Hawaii, and Dr. Emma Fernandez-Repollet, Principal Investigator of the SEPA Program at the University of Puerto Rico also shared with the audience the achievements and strengths of their programs.
Teachers, students and partners who have participated in activities sponsored by the BREP Program in Puerto Rico participated in the activity. The session was attended by Dr. Barbara Alving, Interim Director NCRR and Dr. Louise Ram, Deputy Director NCRR.
We are grateful to the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program for the opportunity to share with the participants and guests of the Symposium the goals and accomplishments of the SEPA program and its contribution to developing the next generation of biomedical scientists.
