She is an Italo-Honduran microbiologist, she is recognized for developing affordable, patent-free vaccines for neglected and emerging tropical diseases. She studied Microbiology and Clinical Chemistry at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) and earned her PhD from the University of Florida. She is currently Associate Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine and Co-Director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Her work aims to reduce health inequities through open access to science. She was one of the creators of the patent-free technology that led to two COVID-19 vaccines distributed in India (Corbevax) and Indonesia (Indovac). She also develops vaccines for hookworm disease, schistosomiasis, Chagas disease, and other neglected infections. Her career demonstrates that science can be a powerful tool for social justice and global well-being.