Specialized Neurosciences Research Program ( SNRP )

Funded by a grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorder and Stroke (U54NS0430311), National Institutes of Health

Investigators

Edmundo Kraiselburd, Ph.D. Director Unit of Comparative Medicine	Dr. Kraiselburd has more than 23 years of experience in conducting basic research in dengue and herpesviruses and in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus vaccine research projects using nonhuman primates.
José A. Lasalde, Ph.D. SNRP Scientific Director joseal@coqui.net	Field of Interest: Acetylcholine receptor structure and function, lipid-protein interactions in biological membranes, neural acetylcholine receptor and nicotine addiction, electrophysiological analysis of slow-channel congenital myastenic syndromes (SCCMS) associated with point mutations in the genes encoding acetylcholine receptor subunits.
Carlos Luciano, MD Associate Professor of Neurology Associate Director RCMI Clinical Research Center	The peripheral nerve laboratory studies the physiologic and pathologic mechanisms of peripheral nerve disorders, applying clinical neurophysiologic, immunologic and immunopathologic methods. Its long-term goal is to enhance our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of peripheral neuropathies and apply these to the development of more effective specific treatment strategies. Under the Specialized Neuroscience Research Program (SNRP) we have established an effective collaborative program for the study of HIV-associated neuropathy. Collaborator: Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Loyda Meléndez, Ph.D. SNRP Investigator Professor Department of Microbiology and Medical Zoology	My research revolves in studies of macrophages and HIV pathogenesis. In particular, my lab group is interested on the role of macrophage proteins in HIV replication and neuropathogenesis. We have experience in studying how HIV affects macrophage function using diverse biological methods including receptor expression by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, PCR, HIV isolation and characterization from the peripheral blood of HIV infected patients. Collaborator: Howard Gendelman, MD, Professor, Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska, Nebraska
Valerie Wojna, M.D. SNRP Co-Investigator Professor of Neurology Director Clinical Neurophysiology Lab	I have special interest in evaluating the correlation of sex hormones and oxidative stress in patients with cognitive impairment. Actually I'm following a cohort of HIV infected women at risk of HIV dementia. These patients are shared with Dr. Loyda Meléndez. We have followed these patients with neuropsychological test and viral immune profiles. I also have interest in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology and its applications to disease. Collaborator: Avindra Nath, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD