# University of Puerto Rico STEM Asthma Awareness Program

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO RIO PIEDRAS · 2022 · $264,301

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras has a remarkable record in research training and
the development of undergraduates that pursue graduate and doctoral programs in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This sharply contrasts with the track record
of high schools in Puerto Rico with regards to students that are interested in STEM careers
and/or that have the competences to pursue a career in STEM. Confronted with this disparity,
we aim to develop a program for the training and education in STEM of high school teachers in
Puerto Rico, and their students, that focus on the development of science and engineering
practices. Our rationale is that by targeting teachers through this project we will contribute in
the education and training of Puerto Rican high school students. Our program will also provide
multiple activities – including a summer immersion program- through which high school students
will be able to explore their interest in STEM. Specifically, we propose an innovative approach
that includes traditional professional development activities for teachers in STEM fields, and an
authentic research experience in which teachers and students are integrated and involved in
researching a particular health problem that concerns everyone in the Puerto Rican society.
Puerto Rico, due to its geographic location and its inherent climate, has one of the highest
asthma rates per inhabitant worldwide (14.2%) and this situation increased after the passage of
Hurricane María in 2017. Our proposal reconciles the efforts and resources of the University of
Puerto Rico, the Molecular Sciences and Research Center, the Puerto Rico Department of
Health, and the Puerto Rico Department of Education. The main goal is to, while generating
awareness of an important health issue in Puerto Rico, increase the number of STEM teachers
engaged in science practices that will enable them to teach science through research and take
on an active role in the preparation of students to develop them as a competitive future
knowledge-based society.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10466808
- **Project number:** 5R25GM137212-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO RIO PIEDRAS
- **Principal Investigator:** Orestes Quesada
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $264,301
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-08-10 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10466808

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10466808, University of Puerto Rico STEM Asthma Awareness Program (5R25GM137212-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10466808. Licensed CC0.

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