Investigators

Research Interest

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. A longitudinal cohort of Hispanic HIV-infected women has been established in the SNRP by Dr. Valerie Wojna and the HIV clinics in (CEMI, ACTU, CLETS), and outside campus. Since 2002, the patients have been evaluated by neurological and neuropsychological tests for the development of dementia. Dr. Wojna performs the Neurological tests and spinal tab while Raúl Mayo and Dr. Rosa Echavarría perform the neuropsychological evaluations.

Research Projects

Currently there are three ongoing projects in my laboratory; both focus on macrophage proteins and that affect HIV-1 pathogenesis.

1. As part of the SNRP project entitled "Monocyte immunity and HIV Dementia" we have transfered proteomics technologies from the University of Nebraska in collaboration with Drs. Howard Gendelman and Pawel Ciborowski. Through funding from NIH-NCRR and the RCMI Program we have developed a Clinical Proteomics Discovery Core Facility in the UPR-Medical Sciences Campus for studies of diseases that affect Health Disparities including HIV and other infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological diseases among others. In the SNRP studies of HIV infected monocytes we have isolated and characterized viruses from HIV infected women, and using proteomics we have found unique proteins associated with antioxidant function in monocytes and the CSF of HIV women with cognitive impairment ( Perez-Laspiur et al., 2007; Toro et al., 2007; Toro et al., in press; Velazquez et al, in revision).
   
   
2. In a second project sponsored by NIH-NIGMS on "Protein profiling of HIV antiretroviral factors in placental macrophages" we identified proteins associated with HIV restriction using diverse proteomics approaches (Luciano-Montalvo et al., in press). Further studies are planned to determine the interactions of these proteins with HIV replication in macrophages.
   
   
3. In a third collaborative project with Drs. Lasalde, Wojna and Gerena, we seek to study the monocyte and macrophage proteins and n icotinic receptors in response to HIV infection and their role in cognitive impairment.
   
   The work involves the participation of graduate and undergraduate students who have become proficient in several fundamental techniques of tissue culture, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, proteomics, and AIDS research. The students learn to operate scientific instrumentation related to the previous techniques which include: laminar flow hood, light and fluorescent microscopes, flow cytometer, ELISA plate reader, image analyzer, centrifuges, pH meter, analytical balances, thermal cycler, electrophoresis apparatus, SELDI-TOF, computer, etc. In the first project, the students learn about the Neuroscience of HIV and Neurological tests for cognitive function. In the second project, the students learn about labor and delivery, the anatomy and immunology of the placenta, and how to isolate primary cell cultures of placental macrophages.

Education

1974-1979: University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, PR: BS Medical Technology

1979-1981: University of Georgia, Athens, GA: MS Microbiology

1985-1990: Emory University and CDC, Atlanta, GA: PhD Exp. Pathology

1990-1992: Emory University, Atlanta, GA: Post-doct Infectious Diseases

Experience

2002-present: Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, UPR School of Medicine.

1997-2002: Associate Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, UPR School of Medicine.

1993-1997: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Microbiology, UPR School of Medicine.

1991-1993: Instructor, Department of Microbiology, UPR School of Medicine.

1991-92: Post-doctoral Research Immunologist, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Emory University of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.

1990-1991: Research Specialist II, Emory University Hospital, Blood Bank Laboratory, Atlanta, Georgia.

1983-1985: Instructor, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, College of Health Allied Professions, Interdisciplinary Division, San Juan, PR.

1982-1983: Instructor, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, College of Health Allied Professions, Medical Technology Program.

1981-1982: Quality Control Microbiologist, Baxter-Travenol Laboratories, Carolina, PR.

Additional Training Relevant to Area of Project

1992: Flow Cytometry Workshop, Atlanta, Georgia.

1992 : Presentor and Participant Placenta and HIV workshop, sponsored by Trophoblast Research Society. Rochester, NY.

1994: PCR Workshop, sponsored by RCMI, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

1995: RNA and DNA PCR Dr. Ivonne Bryson Laboratory, Training at UCLA, Los ángeles, California.

1996: Amplicor PCR HIV Monitor (RNA) Quantitation. Roche Molecular Systems, Somerville, New Jersey.

2001: Summer Training on recombinant DNA and Special Topics in Biotechnology. NIH

2002: Ciphergen Training on Proteomics

Honors and Awards

1985-1989: Minority Access Research Career faculty fellowship from NIH for doctoral studies.

1991-92: Co-investigator in an NIH funded research grant entitled: "HIV placental infection in vitro experimental models". NICH5RO1HD26634-02.

1993: Minority Scientist Travel Award for the participation in the NIH AIDS Postdoctoral Fellows meeting along with the Keystone Symposia on AIDS at Albuquerque, New Mexico.

1993: Minority Scientist Travel Award for the participation in the "First National HIV Meeting". Washington DC.

1993-1995: Principal Investigator in a CIDIC funded research project entitled: "Role of the Placenta in HIV-1 vertical transmission".

1994-1996: Co-investigator in RCMI-NIH funded research grant entitled HIV-1 ENV gene variation and tropism in vertical transmission. RR-03051.

1996-1997: Co-investigator in a RCMI-CFAR collaborative project entitled: "Role of viral load and maternal antibodies in vertical transmission of HIV". G12 RR-03051 and P30 AI-27767.

1996-2000: Principal Investigator in NIH-MBRS Program funded research grant entitled: "Role of the Placenta in Vertical Transmission of HIV-1". SO6 GM08224.

1996: Professional Excellence Award from the Dean of College of Health Allied Professions.

1998: FASEB Travel Award for Summer Research Conference on "Virus Assembly".

1999: Glaxo-Wellcome Research Award - Fourth place in the Category of Researcher

2000-2004: Principal Investigator in NIH-SCORE Program funded research grant entitled: "Role of Chemokine Receptors in HIV- 1 infection across the placenta". SO6 GM08224-16.

2000-2004: MSC Institutional Biosafety Committee Chairperson 2001-2002: Coordinator of NIH-RISE activity entitled: "Research Participation by Students". SO6GM61838

2001-present: Principal Investigator in the activity entitled: "Monocyte immunity and HIV associated dementia". NIH-NIND Specialized Program in NeuroAIDS. 1 U54 NS43011

2003: Chair at the International Keystone Symposia on HIV Pathogenesis

2003: Interviews and results of the NeuroAIDS study: "Molecular Fingerprints Predicts HIV-Associated Dementia" were published on line at the NIH news website

2003: Core developer of the SELDI-TOF instrument awarded from NIH-NCRR

2004: Invited Speaker at the NIH NeuroAIDS meeting "Molecular Markers and Mechanisms of HIV-Induced Nervous System Disease 2004-2008: Principal Investigator in NIH-SCORE Program funded research grant entitled: Protein Profiling of "putative" antiretroviral factors in placental macrophages. SO6 GM08224

Publications

1. Luciano-Montalvo C, Ciborowski P, Duan F, Gendelman H, and Meléndez LM. Proteomic analyses associate cystatin B with restricted HIV-1 replication in placental macrophages. Placenta PLAC-S-08-00186-1. In press.
   
   
2. Velázquez I, Plaud M, Pérez-Laspiur J, Skolasky R, Wojna V and Meléndez LM. Antioxidant enzyme dysfunction in monocytes and CSF of Hispanic women with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. J Neuroimmunol JNI-S-08-00289. In revision.
   
   
3. Toro Nieves D (mentee, LM), Perez Laspiur J, Ciborowski P, Duan F, Wojna V, Meléndez LM. Proteomic analysis of HIV-1 infected monocyte-derived macrophage following infection with primary viral strains isolated from Hispanic women with cognitive impairment". J NeuroVirology UJNV-07-08-0215-R1, in press.
   
   
4. Laspiur J, Anderson E, Ciborowski, P, Wojna V, Plaud-Valentin,M., Rodriguez, E., Duan F., Wojna V, Mayo R, Rodríguez-Orengo J, Gendelman HE, and Meléndez LM. 2007.CSF proteomics in HIV-1 associated cognitive impairment. J. Neuroimmunol. 192:157-170.
   
   
5. Rozek, W, Ricardo-Dukelow M, Holloway S, Gendelman HE, Wojna V, Meléndez LM, and Ciborowski P. 2007. Cerebrospinal fluid proteomics profiling of HIV-1-infected patients with or at risk for cognitive impairment. J Proteome Research. 6:4189-4199.
   
   
6. Nieves D (mentee), Plaud, M, Wojna V, Skolasky R, Meléndez LM.2007. Characterization of peripheral blood HIV isolates from Hispanic women with cognitive impairment. J NeuroVirol. 13:315-327.
   
   
7. Wojna V, Robles L, Skolasky RL, Mayo R, Selnes O, de la Torre T, Maldonado E, Nath A, Meléndez LM, Lasalde-Dominicci J. 2007. Associations between cigarette smoking with viral immune profile and cognitive function in human immunodeficiency virus seropositive women. J NeuroVirol.13:561-568.
   
   
8. Wojna V, Skolasky RL, McArthur JC, Maldonado E, Hechavarria R, Mayo R, Selnes O, Ginebra T, de la Torre T, Garcia H, Kraiselburd E, Meléndez-Guerrero LM, Zorilla CD, Nath A. 2007. Spanish validation of the HIV Dementia Scale in women. AIDS Patient Care and STDs 21:930-941.
   
   

1. Toro Nieves D (mentee, LM), Perez Laspiur J, Ciborowski P, Duan F, Wojna V, Meléndez LM. Proteomic analysis of HIV-1 infected monocyte-derived macrophage following infection with primary viral strains isolated from Hispanic women with cognitive impairment". J NeuroVirology UJNV-07-08-0215, in revision.
   
   
2. Wojna V, Skolasky RL, McArthur JC, Maldonado E, Hechavarria R, Mayo R, Selnes O, Ginebra T, de la Torre T, Garcia H, Kraiselburd E, Meléndez-Guerrero LM, Zorilla CD, Nath A. 2007. Spanish validation of the HIV Dementia Scale in women. AIDS Patient Care and STDs 21:930-941.
   
   
3. Wojna V, Robles L, Skolasky RL, Mayo R, Selnes O, de la Torre T, Maldonado E, Nath A, Meléndez LM, Lasalde-Dominicci J. 2007. Associations between cigarette smoking with viral immune profile and cognitive function in human immunodeficiency virus seropositive women. J NeuroVirol.13:561-568.
   
   
4. Nieves D (mentee), Plaud, M, Wojna V, Skolasky R, Meléndez LM .2007. Characterization of peripheral blood HIV isolates from Hispanic women with cognitive impairment. J NeuroVirol. 13:315-327.
   
   
5. Rozek, W, Ricardo-Dukelow M, Holloway S, Gendelman HE, Wojna V, Meléndez LM, and Ciborowski P. 2007. Cerebrospinal fluid proteomics profiling of HIV-1-infected patients with or at risk for cognitive impairment. J Proteome Research. 6:4189-4199.
   
   
6. Laspiur J, Anderson E, Ciborowski, P, Wojna V, Plaud-Valentin,M., Rodriguez, E., Duan F., Wojna V, Mayo R, Rodríguez-Orengo J, Gendelman HE, and Meléndez LM. 2007.CSF proteomics in HIV-1 associated cognitive impairment. J. Neuroimmunol. 192:157-170.
   
   
7. Wojna V, Skolasky RL, Hechavarría R, Mayo R, Selnes O, McArthur JC, Meléndez LM, Maldonado E, Zorrilla CD, García H, Kraiselburd E, Nath A. 2006. Prevalence of HIV Dementia in a Group of Hispanic Women at Risk. J NeuroVirol 2(5): 356-364.
   
   
8. Kamara, P., Meléndez-Guerrero, LM., Arroyo M., Weiss H., and Jolly P. 2005. Maternal plasma viral load and neutralizing/enhancing antibodies in vertical transmission of HIV: A non-randomized prospective study. Virology 2:15-25.
   
   
9. Zheng, J., Meléndez, L., and Gendelman, H. Chemokines and their receptors in HIV-1 neuropathogenesis: Protection versus injury. 2004. HIV and the Nervous System, eds. W. Bradley, and P. Shapshak.
   
   
10. Wojna V, Carlson KA, Luo X, Mayo R, Meléndez LM, Kraiselburd K, Gendekman HE. Proteomic fingerprinting of HIV-associated dementia from patient monocyte-derived macrophages: A case study. J Neurovirology 10 (suppl1):74-81; 2004
    
    
11. Luo, X., Carlson, K.A. Wonja, V., Mayo, R., Gendelman, H.E., and Meléndez, L.M. Macrophage proteomic fingerprinting predicts HIV-1-associated cognitive impairment. Neurology 60:1931-37, 2003.
    
    
12. Arroyo, M.A., Tien, H., Pagán, M., Swanstrom, R., Hillyer, G.V., Cadilla, C.L., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L.M. 2002. Virologic Factors for HIV-1 Vertical Transmission in Puerto Rico. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 18(6)
    
    
13. Ruff, M., Ho, W.Z., Meléndez, L.M., Glushakova, S., Pert, C.B. Peptide T. 2001. A chemokine receptor R5 entry inhibitor. Antiviral Research 52:63-75.
    
    
14. Torres, G., García, V., Patterson, B., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L.M. 2001. Expression of CCR5 and CXCR4 on placental macrophages. Placenta 22 Supplement A Trophoblast Research S29-33.
    
    
15. Meléndez, J., García, V, Sánchez, E., Delgado, R., Torres, G., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L.M. 2001. Is decreased HIV-1 infectivity of placental macrophages caused by high levels of chemokines?.Cellular and Molecular Biology 47: OL51-OL59.
    
    
16. Sánchez-Carrasquillo, E., García, V., Febo, I., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. 2000. CCR5 Genotyping and Production of B-chemokines by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in HIV-1 infected Puerto Rican children. PRHSJ 19:345-351.
    
    
17. Meléndez-Guerrero,L., Arroyo, M., Vega, M.E., Hillyer, G., Jimenez, E., and Cadilla, C. 2000. Characterization of HIV isolates from Puerto Rican Maternal-Infant pair Reveal Predominance of NSI isolates with CCR5 genotype. Cellular Molecular Biology. 47: OL39-OL47.
    
    
18. Plaud Valentín, M., Delgado, R., García, V., Zorrilla, C., Gandía, J., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. 1999. HIV infection of placenta cells; Effecton the secretion of HIV stimulatory cytokines. Cellular and Molecular Biology 45:423-41.
    
    
19. Renta, J., Cadilla, C., Vega, M., Hillyer, G., Estrada, C., Jiménez, E., Abreu, E., Méndez, I., Gandía, J., and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. 1997. Longitudinal studies on maternal HIV-1 variants by biological phenotyping, sequence analysis, and viral load. Cell and Molecular Biology 43:1097-1114.
    
    
20. Meléndez-Guerrero L., Backé, E., and Elisabeth Fullmer. 1994. Methods of isolation and characterization of placental macrophage (Hofbauer cells) for Experimental Study of Infection in vitro. Trophoblast Research. 8, 269-271.
    
    
21. Meléndez-Guerrero L.M., R. Holmes, E. Backé, B. Polliotti, C. Ibegbu, F. Lee, M. Panigel, D. Schwartz, J. Huddleston, and A. Nahmias. 1994. In vitro infection of Hofbauer cell with a monocytotropic strain of HIV-1. Trophoblast Research. 8, 33-45.
    
    
22. Meléndez-Guerrero L., JKA Nicholson, and JS McDougal. 1991. In vitro infection of monocytes with HIV/Ba-L. Effect on mitogen induced T-cell proliferation. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 7: 465-473.
    
    
23. Meléndez-Guerrero L., JKA Nicholson, and JS McDougal. 1990. In vitro infection of monocytes with HIV/Ba-L. Effect on cell surface expression of CD4, CD14, HLA-DR, and HLA-DQ. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 6:731-741.
    
    

Relevant Presentations in the NeuroAIDS project

1. Garcia K (student). Garcia Crespo K, Garcia V, Perez J, and LM Meléndez. Characterization of HIV inhibition in Placental Macrophages. Kyestone Symposia on HIV Pathogenesis. March 30, 2007. Poster presentation.
   
   
2. Plaud-Valentin M, Wojna V, Skolasky R, Mayo R, Hechavarria R, Maldonado E, de la Torre T, and Meléndez LM. Increased in CD14+/CD16+ monocytes in Hispanic women with asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV-associated cognitive impairment in the era of HAART. Poster presentation at the ISNV meeting, San Diego, October 30, 2007.
   
   
3. Velasquez I (mentee LM), Plaud M, Perez Laspiur J, Wojna V, Skolasky R, Ciborowski P, Gendelman HE, Meléndez LM. Dysregulation of Cu/Zn Superoxide Dismutase-1 in the CSF and monocytes of Hispanic women with cognitive impairment. Poster presentation at the ISNV meeting, San Diego, October 30, 2007.
   
   
4. Toro DM (mentee LM), Perez Laspiur J, Ciborowski P, Duan F , Wojna V, Gendelman HE , Meléndez LM. 2007. The HIV-1 infected monocyte-derived macrophage proteome: Analysis following infection with primary viral isolates from infected women with cognitive impairment. J, Neurovirol 13 Supp. 1 :130
   
   
5. Wojna V, Fernandez M, Bandaru V, Skolasky R, Haughey N, McArthur JC, Mayo R, Selnes O, Meléndez L, Anderson C, Nath A. Oxidative stress markers may serve as a biomarker for the progression of HIV-associated cognitive impairment in women. Poster presentation at the International Society of Neurovirology and the National Neuroscience meetings, San Diego, CA, October, 2007.
   
   
6. Meléndez LM, Valerie Wojna, Marines Plaud, Richard Skolasky, and Jose Lasalde. CSF Cystatin C is decreased in HIV-seropositive women with HAND and chronic smoking. Poster presentation at the National Society of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. Charlston, SC, March 15, 2008.
   
   
7. Meléndez LM, Wojna V, Perez Laspiur J, Rodríguez E, Duan F, and Lasalde J. Effect of smoking in the CSF protein profiles from HIV-seropositive women. Poster presentation at the National Society of Neuroimmune Pharmacology. Charlston, SC, March 15, 2008.
   
   
8. García, K (mentee), García, V, Duan, F, Perez Laspiur J, Meléndez, L.M. Differential Protein Expression of Placental and Monocyte Derived Macrophages Supernatant. Poster presentation adn travel award. XXVIII MSC Anual Research Forum, March, 2008 and 21st International Conference on Antiviral Research, Montreal, Canada. April 14, 2008.
   
   
9. Luciano-Montalvo C. (mentee), and Meléndez-Guerrero, L. Cystatin B Associates with both Inactive and Active Signal Transducer-1 (STAT-1) in Monocyte derived Macrophages and Placental Macrophages. XXVIII MSC Anual Research Forum, March, 2008 21st International Conference on Antiviral Research Montreal Canada, April 14, 2008.
   
   
10. Velázquez I (mentee), Plaud M, Pérez-Laspiur J, Skolasky R, Wojna V and Meléndez LM. Dysregulation of the antioxidant enzyme defense in Hispanic women with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. XXVIII MSC Anual Research Forum, March, 2008 21st International Conference on Antiviral Research Montreal Canada, April 14, 2008.
    
    
11. Meléndez, L. Novel Mechanisms for HIV Dementia and Biomarker Discovery Using Proteomics. Oral presentation. 1st Annual World Summit of Antivirals. Kunming, China July 21, 2008.
    
    

1. Meléndez, L.M., Luo X., Carlson K, Wojna V, Mayo R, Plaud M. , and Plaud M. and Gendelman H. Monocyte Protein profiles and Genetics links to HIV dementia. Viral and Host Genetic Factors Regulating HIV/CNS Disease. Poster Presentation. November 20-22, 2002. Washington, DC.
   
   
2. Meléndez, L.M., Luo X., Carlson K, Wojna V, Mayo R, Plaud M. , and Plaud M. and Gendelman H. Protein fingerprinting Monocyte-Derived Macrophages in HIV-1 Infected Subjects: Investigations of Protein Profiling for HIV-1 Associated Cognitive Dysfunction. Keystone Symposia on Twenty Years of HIV Research from Discovery to Understanding. Poster Presentation. March 29- April 4, 2003. Banff, Canada.
   
   
3. Vélez, P, Pagan, M, Swanstrom, R, Wojna, V, Meléndez, L.M."Viral characterization of plasma and CSF from a cohort of puertorican patients with HIV-1 associated cognitive impairment" Keystone Symposia on Twenty Years of HIV Research from Discovery to Understanding.. Poster Presentation. March 29- April 4, 2003. Banff, Canada.
   
   
4. Meléndez, L.M., Luo X., Carlson K, Wojna V, Mayo R, Echevarría R., and Plaud M., and Gendelman H. Protein fingerprinting Monocyte protein profiles and genetic links to HIV cognitive impairment in women. 3rd Annual Conference on Specialized Centers in Neuroscience. Oral Presentation. March 27-29, 2003. Honolulu, Hawaii.
   
   
5. Meléndez, L.M., Wojna V, Anderson E, Mack A, Plaud M, Kraiselburd E, Ciborowski P and Gendelman H. HIV-1 Infected Hispanic Women with Cognitive Impairment: Macrophage Proteomic Fingerprints. 2nd Pan American Symposium on Neurovirology and AIDS, May 7, 2004.
   
   
6. Meléndez, L.M., Wojna V, Anderson E, Mack A, Plaud M, Kraiselburd E, Ciborowski P and Gendelman H. Standardization of monocyte protein profiles from a cohort of Hispanic women with HIV cognitive impairment. 4th Conference of SNRP, Nashville TN, May 2004.
   
   
7. Meléndez, L.M., Wojna V, Anderson E, Mack A, Plaud M, Kraiselburd E, Ciborowski P and Gendelman H. Proteomic Profiles in Predicting Cognitive Dysfunction in HIV Disease. Molecular Mrakers and Mechanisms of HIV-Induced Nervous System Disease. Washington, DC. June 3, 2004
   
   
8. Toro Nieves D.M, Anderson E., Plaud M., Wojna V., Ciborowski P., Gendelman H., Meléndez-Guerrero, LM. Effect of HIV-1 Primary Isolates on Macrophage Proteome and Neurovirulence from Hispanic Women with Cognitive Impairment. 12th Conference Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), Boston. Feb 23, 2005.
   
   
9. Anderson, E.R., Ciborowski, P., Gendelman, H.E., Wojna V., Anderson J., Plaud M., Rodriguez E., Rodriguez-Orengo J., Kraiselburd E., and Meléndez, L. Proteomic Analysis of Pre-fractionated Cerebrospinal Fluid from a Cohort of HIV-1 Infected Hispanic Women. 5th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005.
   
   
10. Toro Nieves D.M, Anderson E., Plaud M., Wojna V., Ciborowski P., Gendelman H., Meléndez-Guerrero, LM. Characterization of HIV isolates from peripheral blood of women with dementia. 5th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005.
    
    
11. Wojna V., Colon E., Meléndez M, Anderson C., TruchanCholewo J., Skolasky R., HIdalgo A., Mayo R., Curry T., Fernandez M., Meléndez L., McCarthur J.C., Nath A. Oxidative Stress and Sex Hormones in Brain Atrophy by MRS in HIV Positive Women. 5th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005 and HIV Infection and the Central Nervous System: Developed and Limited Resource Settings. Rome, Italy, June 11, 2005.
    
    
12. Wojna V., Nath A., Mayo R., Skolasky R., Hechavarria R., McArthur J.C., Fernandez M., Meléndez L., Garcia H., Zorrilla C., Kraiselburd E. Correlation and strengths of the scales for HIV dementia in a cohort of HIV positive women. HIV Infection and the Central Nervous System: Developed and Limited Resource Settings. Rome, Italy, June 11, 2005.
    
    
13. Wojna V., Colon E., Meléndez M, Anderson C., Truchan Cholewo J., Skolasky R., Hidalgo A., Mayo R., Curry T., Fernandez M., Meléndez L., McCarthur J.C., Nath A. Oxidative Stress and Sex Hormones in Brain Atrophy by MRS in HIV Positive Women. 5th Annual Conference of Specialized Neuroscience Research Programs. Maryland, June 2, 2005 and HIV Infection and the Central Nervous System: Developed and Limited Resource Settings. Rome, Italy, June 11, 2005.
    
    
14. Meléndez,L. Proteomic Fingerprinting for HIV Dementia in a Cohort of Hispanic Women. Oral Presentation by Invitation. NHLBI Workshop, NIH, Bethesda. July 21, 2005.
    
    
15. Meléndez, L. HIV Immunology. Oral Presentation by Invitation. 15ta Jornada de Neurologia. Academia Puertorriqueña de Neurologia. August 21, 2005.