Science and Innovation Thrive Through Collaboration
At the ViDaB Lab, our work is made possible by the generous support of our funders, collaborators, and donors. Your contributions not only fuel groundbreaking discoveries but also empower the next generation of scientists and innovators. Together, we’re shaping a future that benefits society, inspires today’s students, and nurtures tomorrow’s leaders. Thank you for being an integral part of our mission!
Support Our Mission
The ViDaB Lab accepts donations and sponsorships of all kinds to support our research and educational efforts. If you’re interested in contributing, click the button below or email us at alex.veglia@upr.edu. We’d love to hear from you—together, we can make a difference!
Thank You to Our Supporters
Below, we proudly recognize the agencies and individuals who have contributed to our mission.
Funding Agencies
Florida Department of Environmental Protections
Grant: Tracking Bacterial, Viral, and Gene Expression Shifts Throughout SCTLD Development in the Dry Tortugas
Funding Amount: $252,806.55
Project Duration: July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Principal Investigators: Dr. Lauren E. Fuess (Texas State University), Dr. Grace Klinges (Arizona State University), Dr. Daniel Holstein (Louisiana State University), Dr. Alex Veglia (University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez)
Objective: This project investigates the microbial and viral communities associated with corals affected by stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD). By analyzing samples from SCTLD-naïve, exposed, diseased, and recovered corals, we aim to identify the disease's causative agents and mechanisms driving coral resilience.
Impact:
The project supports efforts to mitigate SCTLD by:
Advancing knowledge of coral immune responses and microbial/viral interactions.
Contributing to the development of diagnostic tools for early detection and treatment of SCTLD.
Informing restoration efforts by identifying disease-resistant coral genotypes.
Grant: An Integrative 'Omic Approach Leveraging Historical SCTLD Data to Identify Predictive Markers of SCTLD Resistance
Funding Amount: $178,703.07
Project Duration: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025
Principal Investigators: Dr. Lauren Fuess (Texas State University), Grace Klinges (Arizona State University), Dr. Alex Veglia (University of Puerto Rico Mayagüez), Ashley Rossin (University of Miami)
Objective: This project builds on a comprehensive dataset from year one to identify markers of SCTLD resistance and disease progression. Through integrative 'omic analyses, we aim to uncover the mechanisms driving disease susceptibility and resilience, advancing coral disease diagnostics and management strategies.
Impact:
The findings will:
Improve understanding of coral immune responses and microbial/viral interactions.
Contribute to the development of diagnostic tools and management strategies for SCTLD.
Provide predictive markers of coral resilience to inform restoration efforts.
COOP Rincon
Dontation: Supporting investigations into cyanobacterial diversity and function within marine inverterate holobionts
Funding Amount: $500.00
Date: June 2024
Purpose and Impact: This generous donation was used to help build dedicated cyanobacterial grow spaces in the ViDaB Lab. With this support, we have been able to create suitable growth environments for cyanobacterial isolates. These spaces are essential for advancing our research on the diversity and ecological roles of cyanobacteria within marine invertebrate holobionts. This work contributes to understanding their potential antiviral properties and broader implications for marine ecosystem health and restoration.
Individual Contributions
Jenniffer Bigas and the Bigas Family
Dontation: Lab refrigerator
Date: December 2024
Purpose and Impact: This generous donation provided the ViDaB Lab with additional refrigeration capacity to store and preserve vital research samples. Thanks to this contribution, we now have increased storage space, enabling multiple student projects to be conducted simultaneously. This enhancement supports our mission to foster hands-on learning opportunities and expand the scope of our research endeavors.
Lcdo. Francisco J. Castro Laboy and the Castro Rivera Family
Dontation: Coffee machine, Dehumidifier
Date: January 2025
Purpose and Impact: This generous donation provided the ViDaB Lab with additional coffee-making capacity to fuel the drive of ViDaB Lab students. Additionally, the donated dehumidifier will play a crucial role in maintaining optimal humidity levels in the lab, helping to protect sensitive equipment, prevent mold growth, and ensure a stable environment for sample preservation and molecular analyses. This contribution enhances both productivity and the integrity of our research space.
Sigma XI
Grant: Temporal and spatial investigation of marine cyanophage population dynamics in coastal waters of Puerto Rico
Awarded to: Alondra Urrutia Santiago**
Funding Amount: $500.00
Date: January 2025
Purpose and Impact: This research grant awarded to Alondra Urrutia Santiago provides the funds to genotype our cyanophage isolates from La Parguera Natural Reserve and Mayaguez Bay to determine if there is a temporal fluctuation in diversity across time and space.
Grant: Assessing physiological health of T.m. manatus infected with T. gondii: parasite identification and prevalence in estuarine waters using eDNA metabarcoding and multiplex qPCR
Awarded to: Alan J. Figueroa Ruiz*
Funding Amount: $995.00
Date: January 2025
Purpose and Impact: This research grant awarded to Alan J. Figueroa Ruiz will allow for the purchasing of critical molecular reagents and other tools required for the sampling of substrates and detection of T. gondii in these samples.
PR-LSAMP
Grant: Temporal and spatial investigation of marine cyanophage population dynamics in coastal waters of Puerto Rico
Awarded to: Alondra Urrutia Santiago**
Funding Amount (project related): $200.00
Date: January 2025
Purpose and Impact: This research grant awarded to Alondra Urrutia Santiago provides the funds to purchase necessary consumable to genotype our cyanophage isolates from La Parguera Natural Reserve and Mayaguez Bay to determine if there is a temporal fluctuation in diversity across time and space.
The Garden Club of America
Grant: The Elizabeth Gardner Norweb Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship
Awarded to: Jon Ye**
Funding Amount: $3,000.00
Date: May 2024
Purpose and Impact: This research grant awarded to Jon Ye provided the funds to cover travel to Puerto Rico to conduct sampling for a project investigating viral diversity within diverse marine invetebrates. The funding also covered sequencing cost of 6 metagenomes.
*Indicates graduate student
**Indicates undergraduate student
National Science Foundation
Grant: Curriculum Reform Enhanced by Course-Based Experiences (UPRM-CRECE)
Funding Amount: $998,984
Project Duration: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2030
Principal Investigators: Dr. Alondra M. Díaz-Lameiro (UPRM), Dr. Alex J. Veglia (UPRM), Dr. Clara E. Isaza (UPRM), Dr. Sean Locke (UPRM), Dr. Amelia Merced (UPRM)
Objective: This project seeks to transform undergraduate education within the Department of Biology at the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez through curricular reform and course-based research integration. The initiative will embed hands-on, inquiry-driven, and research-based experiences directly into core biology laboratory and advanced courses, enabling students to engage in authentic scientific discovery as part of their coursework. Faculty will receive pedagogical training in evidence-based teaching strategies and support to develop and implement these new curricular modules across the life sciences.
Impact:
The project supports student success and workforce readiness by:
Modernizing biology curricula to include course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) and inquiry-based laboratory modules.
Enhancing faculty teaching practices through pedagogical training and course development support.
Expanding research opportunities to over 3,000 undergraduate students across multiple departments, strengthening retention and graduation rates in STEM.
Building departmental capacity to sustain and scale evidence-based reforms, preparing students with transferable scientific and professional skills for careers in STEM.
ASLO Multicultural Program
Grant: ASLO Multicultural Program
Awarded to: Alondra Urrutia Santiago**
Funding Amount: Complete coverage of all costs related to attending and presenting at ASLO 2025
Date: March 2025
Purpose and Impact: The ASLO Multicultural Program (ASLOMP) provides comprehensive support for students to attend the annual ASLO conference, covering airfare, registration, lodging, meals, abstract fees, and mentoring, as well as opportunities to present their research. Participation offers students access to a diverse cohort, professional networking, and exposure to cutting-edge research. For the student in my lab who received this competitive award, ASLOMP significantly enhanced their professional development and increased the visibility of their research on a national stage.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
Grant: SACNAS Travel Scholarship
Awarded to: Alondra Urrutia Santiago**
Funding Amount: Complete coverage of all costs related to attending/presenting at SACNAS NDiSTEM 2024
Date: March 2025
Purpose and Impact: The SACNAS NDiSTEM travel scholarship allowed one of our undergraduate researchers to attend and present their work at a major national STEM conference. By covering airfare, lodging, and registration, the award removed financial barriers and enabled the student to share their research, build professional networks, and gain valuable exposure to a diverse scientific community. This experience significantly advanced the student’s professional development and strengthened our lab’s commitment to supporting emerging scientists.
Ciencia Puerto Rico
Grant: CIENCIAPR - Cientificos al Servicio en Linea
Awarded to: Alan J. Figueroa Ruiz*
Funding Amount: $200.00
Date: August 2025
Purpose and Impact: Científicos al Servicio en Línea, a program of Ciencia Puerto Rico, connects STEM professionals with K–12 classrooms across the island to provide students with engaging, culturally relevant scientific experiences and exposure to real research. Through this program, our lab member Alan J. Figueroa Ruiz visited local classrooms to share their research and lead interactive activities with students. This opportunity strengthened Alan’s science communication skills while offering meaningful STEM engagement for youth in Puerto Rico.