Directorship

The PR-AABRE was established in 2002 by Dr. Fernando Gonzalez, as the Puerto Rico Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN-PR). BRIN-PR was hosted by The University of Puerto Rico (UPR) with the endorsement of the Puerto Rico IDeA Committee, and sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) of the NIH. The main goals of the BRIN-PR were to:

In 2004, and under the leadership of Dr. Fernando A. Gonzalez, the BRIN-PR successfully competed for an IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) award from the NIH NCRR. At this time the program assumed the name of the Puerto Rico Alliance for the Advancement of Biomedical Research Excellence (PRAABRE).

Both Dr. Gonzalez and Dr. Sandra Peña de Ortiz, at the time Associate PRAABRE Director, successfully prepared a renewal application for INBRE funds in July, 2008.  Dr. Sandra Peña de Ortiz took over the Directorship of the program during the fall of 2009 and is leading it through its new phase on continued expansion, productivity and excellence.