Assistant Professor/Research
School of Nursing
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
Research Interests
Dr. Puga received his graduate training in Behavioral Neuroscience from the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in neural mechanisms that underlie learned and motivated behaviors. During this time, he worked with Behavioral Neuroscientists Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, Yvon Delville, and Juan Dominguez investigating neural networks, behavioral responses, and stress using Pavlovian learning paradigms and animal models of helplessness. After completing his post-doctoral training in behavioral neuroendocrinology, Dr. Puga served as a research scientist at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio School of Nursing where he became interested in the impact of stress on performance and burnout in frontline nurses. Currently, Dr. Puga is principal investigator on several studies using salivary biomarkers to investigate the relationship between workflow processes, team behaviors, and stress experienced by frontline nurses. Findings from this research will allow us to design and test interventions that reduce the impact of stress on nurses. Dr. Puga is an Assistant Professor/Research in the School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Puga’s work is supported by intramural grants from the School of Nursing, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and extramural funding from the American Organization of Nurse Executives.
Selected Publications
Decker S. I., Anderson M., Boese T., Epps C., McCarthy J., Motola I., Palaganas J., Perry C., Puga F., Scolaro K., & Lioce L. (2015) Standard of Best Practice: Simulation Standard VIII: Simulation-Enhanced Interprofessional Education. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 11, 293-297.
Bastida CC, Puga F, Gonzalez-Lima F, Jennings KJ, Wommack JC, Delville Y. (2014). Chronic Social Stress in Puberty Alters Appetitive Male Sexual Behavior and Neural Metabolic Activity. Horm Behav, 66, 220-227.