Ponce Health Sciences University
Contact: iflores@psm.edu
Professional Preparation
-Ph.D. Rutgers University, RWJMS, NJ (1994)
-M.S. Rutgers University, RWJMS, NJ (1992)
-B.A. Industrial Microbiology, University of P.R., Mayagüez (1988)
Ongoing Research/Grants
1 U54 CA163071-01A1 NIH-NCI Matta, J/ Torres J (coPIs) 09/1/12-08/30/17
PSM-Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership: Cooperative Grant for Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer
Center. Role: Co-investigator, Tissue Procurement Core Co-leader.
The objective of this grant is to develop a Cancer Center Partnership between PSM and the H. Lee Moffitt
Cancer Center (MCC), which focuses on four target areas: basic research, cancer education and training,
outreach and tissue procurement with the main goal of addressing cancer-related health disparities that
disproportionately affect the Hispanic population.
1 R21 HD075225-01A1 NICHD-NIH Nanjundan M (PI) 09/17/13-08/31/16
Role of autophagy in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Role: Co-investigator
This study aims to investigate the hypothesis that autophagy (a “self-eating” process whereby damaged
cellular material and organelles are sequestered in autophagosomes and degraded) mediates anoikis (a cell
death event) resistance which subsequently leads to survival and implantation of endometrial cells at ectopic
sites giving rise to endometriotic lesions.
Grant# 2013-000032 PRSTRT Flores I (PI) 09/01/14-08/30/15
Discovery of Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Endometriosis. Role: PI
The objective of this grant from the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust (PRSTRT) is to fill a
gap in the diagnosis of endometriosis by applying an innovative, protein chip-based platform to the discovery of
non-invasive novel proteomic biomarkers for this disease.
Health Innovation Award Merck Foundation Flores I, Ruiz L, Dutil L 1/1/2012 – present
Clinical Investigation award: Genetics of endometriosis Role: Principal Investigator
This award was received for our efforts to understand the genetics aspects of endometriosis and to fund
continuing efforts in this area of research.