Why did you choose Rochester?
I chose the University of Rochester because it is at the cutting edge of the infectious disease research, specifically HIV, vaccines, and influenza. There are opportunities to explore and train in all the crucial areas of ID including HIV, STD, transplant, antibiotics stewardship, infection prevention, and travel medicine. Lastly, I chose UR because of the friendly environment and of course the beauty of the city.
Why did you choose Infectious Diseases?
Infectious diseases is a discipline which has been at the forefront of the advancement of medicine in the last century, improving quality of life and increasing lifespan as no other area of medicine has done before. The successful control of transmissible diseases and the advances in sanitation have displaced it from being one of the top 3 causes of death. The scientific knowledge regarding microbiology and immunology and the understanding of epidemiology put forth by many in this field have furthered the development of novel therapies and preventative measures. I chose ID because I wanted to be part of this humanitarian field of medicine.
Research Interests?
Global Health and Health Disparities
Career Plans?
Throughout my life, I have volunteered in multiple places and I have practiced medicine in many different environments. I saw the face of the AIDS epidemic in my home town in Chile. I learned from the Cuban system an alternative health strategy, based on a geographic and multidisciplinary management. All those experiences provided me with a deep understanding of the health problems in public health and epidemiology. I am grateful for so many experiences that gave me an open mind which is essential to this field. That is why I would like to continue to build and fortify my presence in the field of global health.