Picture this: A journey of success against the odds, where immigrant, first-generation, and bilingual students can carve out incredible careers in medicine and science, making a real difference for underrepresented minority patients.

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How do I know it's possible? I'm living proof. As a Hispanic/Latina who's walked that path myself, I'm on a mission to help others do the same.

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Like so many of you, I grew up in a Spanish-speaking household, the daughter of a family deeply rooted in South American culture. I know firsthand the unique challenges that come with that experience - the language barriers, the cultural divides, the pressure to succeed. But I also know the power of determination, of embracing your roots, and of using your bicultural perspective to your advantage.
 

I often find myself as the only female physician, the only person for whom English is a second language (ESL), and the only Latina in the room. However, I refuse to let that hinder me. I have carved my own path, drawing strength from my heritage and using it to fuel my passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

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Watch a video about my father's and my last name's story from my Hispanic Role Models book preface here.

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I am an M.D. with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences focused on Immunology.  I completed two post-doctoral research fellowships at the Center for Vascular Biology, UConn Health Center, and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in NY. ​ I have spent twenty years in academic research and drug discovery in the pharmaceutical industry.  I have served multiple roles of increasing responsibility at small and large companies. My research has focused on discovering, developing, or launching new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as lupus, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, myasthenia gravis, and thyroid eye disease, among others.

 
A few years ago, I met a student online who said that her school counselor told her she was "not college material." This story affected me deeply, especially after I learned that this is a common occurrence in a country where the diversity of the healthcare workforce does not match the diversity of the population.

 

This story inspired my mission to help decrease the lack of representation of Latinx and other minorities in academic and corporate medicine and research. I have since published my book series "Hispanics in Medicine and Science," given numerous speeches at school events, and mentored many students who have successfully applied to medical school or Ph.D. programs. 

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Recently, I resigned from my position as Vice President of the Medical Affairs division at a biotech company to establish an education technology (EdTech) company. I am using my leadership skills and scientific expertise to revolutionize life sciences education through adaptive learning and gamification. My goal is to create immersive and engaging experiences that break language barriers for bilingual learners around the globe. I am passionate about making science accessible and increasing diversity in STEMM.

 

My story is proof that with grit, determination, and a deep connection to your roots, you can achieve the impossible. So, mi gente, ¡levántense y sigan sus sueños! The world needs more Latinx voices in the fields of medicine and science, and I'm here to show you that it's possible.

 

Now it's your turn to join the movement! Follow me on social media and share your story. Together, we can make a difference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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To learn more about my career and areas of expertise, visit my LinkedIn page.

To see a list of my scientific publications, visit PubMed.

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