Serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for budget, goals, scope, grant submissions, and drug development strategies. Author four manuscripts as first author, including two published in high-impact journal, two undergoing revisions, and one in preparation. Lead, mentor, and guide medical team in conducting research on activation of anti-inflammatory neural pathways by NaHCO3 in rats, and about Neuromyelitis Optica associated with overlapping autoimmune diseases in a Black population. Act as Co-PI for clinical/epigenetic research in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leading to biomarker discovery, multiple poster presentations, and ongoing manuscript development. Initiate and enable groundbreaking integration of SEE learning in REACH program. • Directed, conceptualized, and developed the immunology curriculum, for rheumatology fellowship, academic year 2023 -2024. New incorporation of Social Emotional and Ethical learning tools to enhance education.• Acquired and utilized advanced techniques, including flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, surgical spleen denervation, and neural network analysis. • Researched and advanced knowledge on suppressing inflammation via neural pathways activation, revealing new therapeutic alternatives for systemic inflammatory ailments. • Evaluated, diagnosed, and managed patients with autoimmune diseases while providing mentorship to medical students, residents, rheumatology fellows, and undergraduate students.• Spearheaded viable initiatives targeting underrepresented minorities with interest in neurosciences, which received financial support from NIH.

Spearheaded innovative research for the activation of the inflammatory reflex through the use of sodium bicarbonate. Supervised medical team and conducted research about de Novo rheumatoid meningitis in patients without a prior RA diagnosis, resulting in a first-author publication. Functioned as clinical research coordinator for pioneering behavioral intervention aimed at weight loss in individuals with autoimmune diseases. Co-led clinical and epigenetic research in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). • Conceived, developed, and executed protocols for immune cell collection and characterization using flow cytometry and several laboratory techniques.• Established and facilitated support groups for patients with autoimmune conditions, exchanging experiences and tools for weight loss. • Implemented program and intervention initiatives that achieved weight reduction of 10-20 pounds in 3-6 months.• Conducted evaluations and diagnosed patients with autoimmune diseases while providing mentorship to students.

Co-investigator in the recruitment, patient consent, examination, and monitoring of several clinical trials such as Roche-Obinutuzumab in IV Lupus Nephritis (Protocol # WA29784), BMS-Abatacept in active IV Lupus Nephritis (Protocol # IM101-291), Xencor- XmAb®5871 in SLE (Protocol # XmAb5871-04), GSK- Belimumab in Black adults with SLE (protocol # HGS1006-C1112), Biogen Idec Sponsor- BIIB059 in Active Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (Protocol # 230LE201), Aurinia-Orelvo in Active Lupus Nephritis (Protocol # AUR-VCS-2016-01), NIH-Treatments Against RA and Effect on FDG PET-CT: The TARGET Trial.• Diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from rheumatic disease in the inpatient and outpatient settings. • Rheumatology lectures to medical students, residents, rheumatology fellows, and undergraduate students. • Grand Rounds on rheumatology topics to the rheumatology division. • Development of the Immunology core curriculum for the rheumatology fellowship.• Co-investigator in clinical retrospective and case report studies leading to conference presentations and publications.

• Provided expert consultation to primary care physicians (PCPs) managing rheumatologic patients in underserved areas, resulting in an impressive 98.2% satisfaction rate from 1067 completed consultations.• Significantly enhanced PCPs' care plans and educational resources, demonstrating remarkable improvements of 73% and 74%, respectively.• Spearheaded the development and implementation of a comprehensive curriculum tailored for primary care physician training in rheumatic diseases.• Played a pivotal role as Lead Faculty Specialist in Weitzman Institute Project ECHO®, driving knowledge dissemination and skill enhancement among PCPs in the field of rheumatology.

• Exercised effective management and leadership abilities in overseeing clinical professional teams dedicated to the coordinated delivery of medical care for patients afflicted with autoimmune diseases and systemic inflammation.• Achieved an exceptional patient satisfaction rate of 98.4%, based on 263 reviews, reflecting commitment to providing high-quality healthcare.• Leveraged telehealth modalities as a means to deliver medical care, particularly when medically appropriate, thereby enhancing accessibility and convenience for patients.• https://www.zocdoc.com/doctor/milena-rodriguez-alvarez-md-307821

• Specialist authorization reviews to reduce overutilization and appeals for multiple medical insurances. • Specialty-matched complex cases review for the standard of care and complex procedures for multiple medical insurances.

• Diagnosis and treatment of patients with medical conditions within internal medicine in the Emergency Room, inpatient/MICU, and outpatient settings.• Neurology resident (3 months), responsible for neurological emergencies and general neurology in inpatient and outpatient settings. Teaching medical students. • Co-PI leading medical team to conduct innovative research on epigenetic markers in rheumatoid arthritis. Writing IRB proposal/submission, patient recruitment, blood samples collection, manuscript/abstract submission.

Provided scientific consultancy for immune characterization in ovarian cancer research. Conducted scientific research and analysis to address complex questions and challenges. Collaborated with research teams to plan and finalize multidisciplinary projects.• Formulated hypotheses, designed methodologies, drafted grant proposals, and prepared budgets for research initiatives investigating immune modulation induced by Intrathecal Drug Delivery System (IDDS) in ovarian cancer patients.

• Management of 20+ patients in critical condition per shift in a 716-bed Hospital Trauma Level II Center. • Medical translation for Spanish-speaking patients and medical staff in an acute care setting.

• Development/implementation of high-risk programs, avoiding 20% of hospital readmissions and 25 % of ED visits of patients with lupus, lupus nephritis, HIV, CHF, CKD, CAD, and DM2.• Utilization review.

Case management of patients with mental health conditions.

• Diagnosed, and discussed procedures, treatments, lab results, and care plan for children and adult with immunological disorders including immunodeficiencies and autoimmune conditions in the inpatient and outpatient service.• Education to endocrinology, internal medicine, and immunology residents and medical students. • Program director of Immunology residency. • PI and project manager of the following research projects: • Cytokines and oxidative stress: control and complications in type 2 Diabetes Mellitus • Inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in the third trimester of the normal pregnancy • Relationship between age and some inflammatory markers in a group of patients• International collaboration mission in Honduras to provide immunological care to underserved areas in Honduras.