María Guadalupe Guzmán
Maria Guadalupe Guzmán | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 19, 1952 Cuba |
| Occupation(s) | Physician, virologist |
| Known for | Research on dengue virus pathogenesis, diagnosis, and immunization |
Maria Guadalupe Guzmán (born January 19, 1952) is a Cuban physician and virologist who currently holds the position of director for Research, Diagnosis, and Reference at Havana's Pedro Kouri Institute (IPK). She is distinguished for her groundbreaking work on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and immunization related to dengue virus, notably identifying secondary infection as a significant risk factor in dengue hemorrhagic fever.
Life and career
Guzmán's early interests were in astronomy before she shifted her academic focus toward biology and medicine. Her professional journey includes roles at Cuba’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas (CENIC) and the IPK. Throughout her career, she has collaborated extensively with international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
In 1980, she married Gustavo Kourí, who was both the director of IPK and her mentor. Together, they devoted more than three decades to advancing virology research at this institute.
Research
With a virology career spanning over three decades, Guzmán has authored upwards of 300 scientific articles, mainly concentrating on arboviruses and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Her research trajectory was shaped by the dengue hemorrhagic fever epidemic in 1981. She currently directs more than 70 research initiatives at national and international levels, has instructed over 130 courses throughout the Americas, holds seven patents, and contributed to 20 book chapters.
Guzmán actively participates in various professional organizations including the Organization of Women Scientists of the Third World, PAHO’s Dengue Working Group, and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She is a member of WHO’s Advisory Committee on Dengue and JBD vaccines. Between 2010 and 2018, she led the WHO/PAHO Collaborating Center for Dengue Control and served as president of the Network of Diagnostic Laboratories of Arbovirus of the Americas (RELDA). Presently, she presides over the Cuban Society of Microbiology and Parasitology and has authored a chapter on dengue fever for Cuba’s Public Health Encyclopedia.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Guzmán played a key role in Cuba’s research efforts related to SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, vaccine development, and monitoring viral variants.
Awards
In 2021, Guzmán was honored with one of the L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards, which annually recognizes five outstanding women scientists worldwide.