Dr. Molina completed her MD training at the Universidad Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala, Central America. Thereafter, she pursued a PhD in Physiology at LSUHSC under the mentorship of Dr. John J. Spitzer, presenting her dissertation on “Ethanol-endotoxin interaction with carbohydrate metabolism”. Her postdoctoral experience at Vanderbilt University was supported by a NIGMS Minority Supplement Grant under the mentorship of Dr. Naji N. Abumrad. She progressed through the academic ranks initially as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and Physiology at the State University of New York, Stony Brook and subsequently as Director of Surgical Research at North Shore University Hospital. During that period, she held a Guest Scientist appointment at Brookhaven National Laboratory prior to joining the Department of Physiology at LSUHSC as an Associate Professor. Since becoming a faculty member at LSUHSC, Dr. Molina has obtained tenure and promotion to the rank of Professor and more recently to the Richard Ashman, PhD Professor in Physiology. Dr. Molina’s research has been funded continuously for the past 18 years, since completing her PhD degree. Currently, work in her laboratory is funded by NIAAA, NIDA, DOD, and the Board of Regents of Louisiana. She has mentored several undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral trainees. Dr. Molina is a member of the faculty of the School of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Education Committee in Physiology, The Graduate Advisory Council, and is a mentor for the LSUHSC Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. Dr. Molina is an active member of several committees within the LSUHSC and is also actively involved in the Scientific Community outside the institution. Currently, she is the Vice-Chair for the National Hispanic Science Network on Drug Abuse, and Chair of the American Physiological Society Porter Development Committee. In addition, she serves a Councilor at Large for the Hispanic American Medical Association of Louisiana. Dr. Molina is married to Miguel F. Molina, MD, a Nephrologist, and is the proud mother or three sons; Miguel Federico, Alejandro Jose, and Javier Andres.

September 22, 2008, 8:30-9:00a.m.

Guest: Dr. Luis G. Uribe

Topic: “Nephrology”

Moderator: Dr. Soffy D. Botero

September 8, 2008, 8:30-9:00a.m.

Guest: Dr. Pablo Labadie

Topic: “Urology”

Moderator: Dr. Gershanik

August 25, 2008, 8:30-9:00a.m.

Guest: Dr. Catherine Jones-Nazar

Topic: “Prevention of Food Born Infection”

Moderator: Dr. Soffy D. Botero

August 11, 2008, 8:30-9:00a.m.

Guest: Dr. Luis Linares

Topic: “Radiotherapy for Breast and Colon Cancer”

Moderator: Dr. Gershanik

July 28, 2008, 8:30-9:00a.m.

Guest: Dr. Luis Linares

Topic: “Radiotherapy for Cancer”

Moderator: Dr. Gershanik

June 19, 2008

Don Victor’s

Speakers: Dr. Martha Gomez on Cloning and Dr, Rodolfo Begue on Vaccinations

Ralph’s on the Park

Speaker: Dr. Vivian Fonseca

Topic: Helping your patients achieve 24/7 control. Once daily dosing with basal insulin therapy.

July 14, 2008, 8:30-9:00a.m.

Guest: Dr. Alfredo Botero

Topic: “Dry Eye”

Moderator: Dr. Soffy D. Botero