Yamixa Delgado, PhD

Yamixa Delgado, PhD

Assistant Professor
San Juan Bautista School of Medicine
Caguas, Puerto Rico

Abstract 1098. Structure-activity relationship of pentacyclic triterpenes against chemoresistance and metastasis on non-small lung adenocarcinoma cells.

What are your long-term goals? 

I am participating in new and exciting research projects for which my background makes me particularly well suited. My academic and research experience has provided me with excellent training in multiple biological and chemical areas, including the development of drug delivery system nanoparticles and the study of the structure-bioactivity relationship of natural and synthetic compounds. The main objective of my laboratory is to develop intelligent and synergistic therapeutic approaches that will ultimately contribute to a more rational application in cancer therapy. My career development plan over the next five years is to submit a competitive proposal to a national grant opportunity in the pathway to becoming an independent investigator. My underlying motivation is to gain access to proper resources to provide extensive training in my laboratory to the new generation of minority researchers.

Please share information about how the pandemic has impacted your research over the last two years. 

During these two years, there have been great challenges to continue the research processes. All academic institutions have limited or no in-person research activities for everyone’s safety. This resulted in a barrier for continuing wet-lab experimentation because these cannot be virtually replicated. In my case, I had to transform the way I was used to working with my students. First, we focused on analyzing all the data that we had pending and writing a literature review manuscript. This manuscript was published last year. Additionally, when my institution gave us limited access to the laboratory, I was giving virtual training to my students on several experimental techniques, so that each one could come alone to the laboratory, replicate what they had learned, and show me virtually what they were doing. In this way, our research never stopped completely.