Our mission is to foster the development of individuals committed to science and research for the physical and mental health of Puerto Ricans. For the past 10 years we have helped more than 1.6K medicine students, researchers, undergraduate, pre-college students and others, in their professional growth through our scholarship program and other donations.
Health Research Scholarship
Recipient of the Health Research Scholarship, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Pharmacology at the Medical Sciences Campus. Her project is titled “Role of Early Enteral Nutrition in Plasma Inflammatory Cytokines and the Activation State of B Cells and CD14+/CD16+ Monocyte Subsets After Sepsis in Polytraumatized Patients. “The proposed research aims to analyze the relationship between cytokine levels and the activation of immune cells, such as B cells and CD14+/CD16+ monocytes, in polytraumatized patients. This study is innovative, as the interaction of these immune components during the phases of sepsis and resolution in this population has not yet been explored. Additionally, the study will evaluate how early enteral nutrition (EN) affects immune responses, potentially reducing the risk of septic shock and mortality. Although previous studies highlight that EN decreases hospital stays and mortality rates, its impact on immune function during sepsis remains unclear. Furthermore, a key aspect of this research is to investigate how EN components, such as vitamin B12 and folic acid, modulate immune cell activation and cytokine release. This could lead to the development of future personalized nutritional therapies aimed at optimizing immune responses in these patients”.
Health Research Scholarship
Recipient of the Health Research Scholarship, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the Universidad Central del Caribe. Her project is titled “Role of Proline-Rich Tyrosine Kinase 2 (Pyk2) in Regulating Inflammatory Cytokine Release and Suppressing the Tumor Immune Microenvironment in Glioblastoma Multiforme. “I am deeply committed to advancing cancer research, specifically in GBM. My goal is to uncover the molecular and signaling mechanisms that regulate tumor-immune interactions, which are crucial for developing effective therapies. I have been involved in high-quality experimental work and have presented my research at major conferences, showcasing my dedication to the field. Understanding how Pyk2 activation alters MEK/ERK signaling could reveal new ways to influence cell fate and enhance immune responses. While much research has focused on microglia’s role in tumor growth and resistance, the molecular mechanisms underlying glioma-microglia interactions remain poorly understood. With the Intellectus Foundation Fellowship, I plan to submit an F31 proposal to explore how Pyk2 can modulate MEK/ERK pathway activity and influence cytokine responses in glioblastoma.”
Sexual Violence Research Scholarship
He was a recipient of the Sexual Violence Research Scholarship in 2023 and is currently a student at the School of Medicine-San Juan Bautista. His project Experiences of sexual misconduct and violence among residents and medical students in academic healthcare settings in Puerto Rico focuses on “promoting the implementation of new policies that do not put the career, education and reputation of victims at risk, with the purpose of making the medical field a healthier and safer work and learning environment.” David, along with his project team, want to educate their participants “about the actions that can be taken in situations of sexual violence; This in turn safeguards the privacy of the participants and provides appropriate routes of support to those victims who wish to do so.”
Health Research Scholarship
She was a recipient of the Health Research Scholarship in 2023 and is currently a student at Ponce Health Sciences University. Fabiana is working on the project A Neutrophil-Centered Assessment on Inflammation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea, which focuses on “exploring the connection between obstructive sleep apnea and the inflammatory response generated by neutrophils, key cells of the immune system.” The main purpose of this project is to “elucidate the role of these cells in apnea and determine how their activity is related to the severity of the disease.” Fabiana and her project colleagues “aspire to discover innovative methods to monitor the disease and propose therapies that mitigate complications linked to obstructive sleep apnea, especially in the patient population in Puerto Rico.”
Health Research Scholarship
He was a recipient of the Health Research Scholarship in 2023 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in public health, with a focus on the epidemiology field. Erik works on the project Social determinants of mental health among medical students in Puerto Rico: A mixed-methods study. This project “focuses on a cross-sectional study that adopts a mixed methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative components supported by evidence. The methodology has been designed to obtain a holistic understanding of the relationship between the social determinants of health and the mental health symptoms that medical students in Puerto Rico currently face.” This research is expected to offer “significant contributions that influence the development of public health interventions aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of future health professionals on the island.”
Health Research Scholarship
Recipient of the Health Research Scholarship, currently in their fourth year of an MD at Ponce Health Sciences University. His project is titled “Preoperative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Reducing Fear Avoidance Behaviors and Improving Pain and Disability Outcomes After Adult Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery: A Pilot Study. “My research proposes a prospective pilot study evaluating the impact of preoperative Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in adult patients scheduled for corrective surgery for spinal deformity. The study aims to reduce fear-avoidance behaviors and improve postoperative outcomes in terms of pain and disability. In the long term, we plan to conduct a prospective follow-up in the form of a clinical trial, which will provide stronger data on the effectiveness of preoperative CBT in improving these outcomes.”
Health Research Scholarship
Recipient of the Health Research Scholarship, currently in their fourth year of an MD at Ponce Health Sciences University. Her project is titled “Minority Patient-Centered Education Initiative to Increase Knowledge About Clinical Trials in Thoracic Oncology. “Our initial project focuses on increasing minority patient participation in clinical trials in Florida, U.S., with a particular emphasis on the Puerto Rican population residing on the U.S. mainland. However, our future plans include expanding the project to the island of Puerto Rico. By addressing the barriers, attitudes, and beliefs specific to Puerto Rican patients regarding cancer clinical trials, we can develop tailored interventions that increase their representation and, ultimately, improve their health, quality of life, and survival. A key component of our project is acknowledging past research misconduct and the historical context relevant to each specific group, ensuring that our strategies are adapted to the unique historical perspectives of each minority.”
Health Research Scholarship
Recipient of the Health Research Scholarship, currently pursuing a Doctor of Medicine degree at Ponce Health Sciences University. Her project is titled “Navigating Intersectional Healthcare: Exploring Barriers Faced by Neurodiverse LGBTQ+ Individuals in Puerto Rico. “Living as an LGBTQ+ person in Puerto Rico comes with unique challenges due to the collectivist culture, which emphasizes the importance of family, and its predominantly Catholic population. In fact, an investigation conducted by the Center for Investigative Journalism and the news outlet El Nuevo Día highlighted the discrimination this community faces in long-term care centers due to a lack of cultural competency training and the absence of standardized procedures for their care. Within this minority, another group also faces distinct challenges: the neurodivergent population. The intersection between the neurodivergent and LGBTQ+ communities has only been explored in the Global North, leading to a lack of data on this group in Latin America and, more specifically, in Puerto Rico. This research can help identify unmet needs within the healthcare system. Since cultural competency training improves healthcare outcomes, it is essential to explore barriers to care through a qualitative approach, ultimately contributing to more equitable healthcare for all.”
Health Research Scholarship
Paola has received 2 Intellectus scholarships during 2023. During the month of June 2023 she received a scholarship to cover her tuition costs in medicine and in November 2023 she was awarded a scholarship, along with his colleague Yousef Majid, to cover expenses of the project Promoting Health Care in Puerto Rico through Multidisciplinary Clinics led by Ponce Health Sciences University Students. This research seeks to provide medical, nursing and psychological services to communities in Puerto Rico that lack health insurance and/or cannot pay for medical care. It will focus on addressing and preventing systemic barriers affecting the population to encourage sustainability in its model. Along with the participation of community groups, the Student-Run Free Clinics (Clínica del Sur) bring together students to provide free medical services to the southern regions of Puerto Rico.
Health Research Scholarship
She was a recipient of the Health Research Scholarship in 2023 and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in genetics. Her project Defining Allelic Variations in High Frequency Among the Puerto Rican Population in Genes Associated with Coronary Heart Diseases focuses on “identifying allelic variations to associate genetic factors that contribute to the high prevalence of coronary heart diseases in Puerto Rico. It is hoped that the findings of this research can help improve early detection, prevention and treatments adapted to the Puerto Rican population. Nicol indicates that “with the assistance of our scholarship, this research will provide knowledge that will allow advances in treatments and thus improve the health of its population.”
Health Research Scholarship
He was a recipient of the Health Research Scholarship in 2023 and is currently pursuing his doctorate in medicine at Ponce Health Sciences University. The project developed by Rafael and his project team, Value-Based Health Care Research Fellowship, focuses on the implementation and optimization of the Value-Based Health Care model in the institution’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery. It shows that value-based healthcare improves patient satisfaction while minimizing the costs of unnecessary treatments. The student understands that applying this new model will alleviate the burden that millions of patients face when seeking high-quality treatment. Rafael “hopes to benefit the health of the people of Puerto Rico by being at the forefront of this new health system in our country, thus applying the concepts learned throughout his research with the support of Fundación Intellectus.”
Health Research
Health Research
Health Research
Health Research
Publication Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
Medicine Grant
Medicine Grant
Medicine Grant
Medicine Grant
Medicine Grant
MCAT Grant
MCAT Grant
MCAT Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Sexual Violence Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Health Research Grant
Sexual Violence Research Grant
Sexual Violence Research Grant
Sexual Violence Research Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
PhD-PHSU Grant
PhD-PHSU Grant
PhD-PHSU Grant
PhD-PHSU Grant
PhD-PHSU Grant
PhD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
MD-PHSU Grant
These are the stories of our 2023 scholarship recipients
Our scholarship and donation programs have helped more than 1.6K medical students, researchers, university students, pre-university students and others, to support their professional growth.
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