# COBRE Phase 2:  Center for Neuroplasticity at the University of Puerto Rico

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES · 2022 · $1,988,498

## Abstract

The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Medical Sciences Campus proposes to sustain and
expand its COBRE Center for Neuroplasticity. The second phase of Center operation will
significantly strengthen the research infrastructure of the institution and will impact biomedical
investigation throughout the island. The specific aims of the COBRE Center for Neuroplasticity
at the University of Puerto Rico are: 1) Foster development of junior investigators into
competitive researchers working on projects with direct biomedical significance. Our Phase I
intensive mentoring program will be further strengthened with the goal of continued
development of a competitive research culture; 2) Maintain and augment the NeuroImaging and
Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF) established under COBRE Phase I. This multi-site core facility
provides state-of-the-art instrumentation, training, and expertise to the research community of
Puerto Rico. The NIEF is centered at the Molecular Sciences Research Center (MSRC) a
major UPR infrastructure investment that is strategically positioned to enhance collaborative
efforts between the major UPR campuses. The MSRC also serves numerous institutions
associated with partnering IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE); 3)
Support programmatic activities (COBRE Seminar Series, Annual Puerto Rico Neuroscience
Conference, COBRE Symposia, Workshops) that increase interdisciplinary collaborations at the
basic research level. It is anticipated that these activities will significantly strengthen the entire
biomedical research infrastructure and will stimulate collaborative investigation leading to
translational research projects. The major strengths of this proposed COBRE Phase II initiative
include: 1) the Program Director, who is both an accomplished researcher with extensive
funding and advisory activities within the NIH and an experienced administrator with a history of
successful initiation of research and training programs; 2) an experienced and effective
Administrative Core; 3) a team of young, aggressive and highly committed early career
scientists; 4) deployment of the new MSRC as a centralized hub for integrated and collaborative
research; 5) the full commitment of the UPR Administration toward assuring the stated goals of
the project. The COBRE Center for Neuroplasticity at the University of Puerto Rico is defining
pathways and benchmarks for basic and translational research across the UPR system. Its
second phase will ensure the sustained growth and evolution of a program that will advance the
trajectory of competitive biomedical research in Puerto Rico over the next decades.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10449241
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103642-10
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSE Antonio LASALDE-DOMINICCI
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,988,498
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10449241

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10449241, COBRE Phase 2:  Center for Neuroplasticity at the University of Puerto Rico (5P20GM103642-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10449241. Licensed CC0.

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