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Mentor: José E Lizardi Ortiz, Ph.D.; Carlos A Jimenez Rivera, Ph.D.
Affiliation: UPR Rio Piedras
Project title: Structure-Activity Relationships of Amphetamine-Type Stimulants on the Alpha 7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Project Description: My investigation focuses on understanding the interaction of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with amphetamine type stimulants. We seek to characterize these interactions by examining how specific drugs interact with receptor ligand systems. We will achieve this through the use of structural biology, molecular pharmacology, and receptor binding studies. By characterizing these interactions, we can provide predictive models which help the development of targeted pharmacotherapies for ATS substance abuse disorders.
Published work and presentations
Published Paper: Article review on drug abuse statistics in Puerto Rico Title: Critical overview of current drug abuse from governmental data in Puerto Rico Published December 2024
Presentation:
Neuroscience Puerto Rico Title: Structure-Activity Relationship of Amphetamine-type Psychostimulants on the α7 Nicotinic Receptor December 2024
Poster presentation in RISE Conference Puerto Rico Title: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Potential Targets for Amphetamine-type Stimulant Addiction March 2024
Poster presentation in Neuroscience Puerto Rico Title: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Potential Targets for Amphetamine-type Stimulant Addiction May 2024
Poster presentation in Neuroscience Puerto Rico Title: Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors as Potential Targets for Amphetamine-type Stimulant Addiction December 2023
Fun fact or hobby: I like to watch romance movies but look like the most stoic and inexpressive guy in the group