The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) approved a pilot project developed at the University of Puerto Rico’s Río Piedras campus (UPRRP) to study the presence of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in wastewater as a tool for early detection. The initiative will receive support from the Alliance for Clinical and Translational Research, with a $50,000 grant for one year.
Lead researcher Dr. Keyla Soto Hidalgo said wastewater surveillance is a promising, non-invasive tool for early understanding of community health trends and noted it could open future research lines on detecting opioids and other substances in wastewater, offering insight into consumption patterns and community intervention needs. Río Piedras Campus Chancellor Mayra B. Charriez Cordero said the project shows how campus research becomes a concrete tool for addressing public health challenges in Puerto Rico, and that the selection by the Alliance and NIH backing recognizes the quality of research that could strengthen respiratory virus surveillance.
University of Puerto Rico President Zayira Jordán Conde said such initiatives reflect the institution’s research capacity and its contribution to solutions with direct societal impact.