As a cancer investigator, my goal is to develop innovative and effective strategies for cancer treatment. I am a final-year PhD candidate from Colombia specializing in cancer genomics and breast cancer. My research focuses on identifying predictive biomarkers of chemotherapy response in Latino breast cancer patients, with a particular emphasis on gene expression, genetic ancestry, and survival outcomes. I was selected as part of the founding class of the first Latin American PhD program in oncology at Universidad Nacional and Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (Colombia). I hold a B.Sc. in Biology and Microbiology from Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) and an M.Sc. in Evolution, Ecology, and Systematics from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (Germany). After completing my PhD, I plan to further specialize in genomic data science, exploring its applications in translational oncology, big data, and health informatics—particularly in admixed populations. My research interests center on developing and applying analytical approaches to mine genomic and transcriptomic data, aiming to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers. Currently, I am collaborating with international institutions on projects focused on early biomarker detection in prostate cancer and the application of artificial intelligence for breast cancer prediction.
My professional journey has been shaped by international collaborations integrating cutting-edge technologies and genomics into cancer research—an approach that aligns with the AMC’s mission to foster networking and partnerships among scientists. I am committed to sharing knowledge, experiences, and methodologies to inspire more early-career researchers to engage with the AACR community. Receiving the AACR Global Scholar-in-Training Award (GSITA) and Scholar-in-Training Award was a transformative milestone, reinforcing my commitment to addressing disparities in underrepresented communities like Colombia. These honors have not only expanded opportunities for my research but have also strengthened my sense of responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the field. Now, as an AMC member, I am eager to give back by mentoring, collaborating, and advocating for fellow researchers, encouraging them to join the AACR community, and fostering a more inclusive and impactful scientific network.