About Me

¡Hola! Welcome to my page!

I am an immunologist with a unique career path that bridges biomedical science, public policy, and science diplomacy. Currently, I serve as an Advisor for Sustainability at the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy, supporting global HIV/AIDS efforts through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). As an alumna of the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowship, I contributed to U.S. - Mexico global health policy in the U.S. Department of State's Office of Mexican Affairs. In my initial fellowship year, I worked with the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), fostering Arab-Israeli scientific cooperation and regional development. I am also an alumna of the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) Science, Technology, and Policy (STeP) Fellowship. Prior to being a AAAS - STeP Fellow, I served as a Policy Advisor at Lewis-Burke Associates, where I provided expert advice on public health, biomedical research, and international affairs.

Being the first scientist in my family, I recognize the importance of making science meaningful and accessible to the public. With over 15 years of experience in academic, private, and government sectors combined, I have successfully communicated scientific findings to diverse audiences and translated them into impactful policy recommendations. My dedication to science communication, advocacy, and community outreach was recognized with the "Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) 2020 Science Defender Award" for educating the public, especially Spanish speakers, about COVID-19. Additionally, I am committed to advancing evidence-based policymaking, evident in my roles as an ambassador of the Puerto Rico Science Policy Action Network (PRSPAN), and a founding member of the Science Diplomacy Network in Latin America and the Caribbean (DiploCientifica).

I take immense pride in my Puerto Rican heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Universidad Metropolitana in San Juan, PR. Later, I earned my Ph.D. in Immunology from the Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where my research on extracellular vesicles in glioblastoma brain tumors resulted in a patent application. My academic journey has taken me to various countries, including China, Brazil, Germany (where I worked with the Nobel Laureate Harald zur Hausen), and Spain, where I obtained my Master's Degree at the Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez Neyra. Throughout my career, my research endeavors have garnered numerous awards, peer-reviewed publications, and opportunities to present at national and international scientific conferences. However, my most significant accomplishment is inspiring fellow Latinos to engage with science and contribute to the policymaking process.