María del Pilar Jiménez Alzate
María del Pilar Jiménez Alzate | |
|---|---|
| Born | Colombia |
| Occupation(s) | Biologist, professor |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Known for | Contributions to the study of mycoses; first Colombian recipient of L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science International Rising Talent award |
María del Pilar Jiménez Alzate is a Colombian biologist acclaimed for her innovative contributions to the study of mycoses. In 2000, she was honored with the L'Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science award under the International Rising Talent category, marking her as the first scientist from Colombia to receive this prestigious recognition.
Academic background
Jiménez pursued medical studies at CES University from 1989 to 1994, dedicating her thesis to the epidemiology of Hansen's disease. She obtained a Master of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Antioquia in 1997 and later achieved a PhD in Medical Sciences at the Pontifical Bolivarian University in 2004. Her postdoctoral training took place at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Career
Following her postdoctoral work, Jiménez was employed at San Pedro Claver Regional Hospital located in Nuquí, Chocó until 1996. In 1997, she became a researcher at the Corporation for Biological Research (CIB). During the early 2000s, she undertook research roles at both the University of California, San Diego and the University of Barcelona. Since 2008, she has served as a professor specializing in Medical Mycology at the University of Antioquia in Medellín.
Her scientific focus centers on fungal diseases, especially Paracoccidioidomycosis—prevalent in Central and South America—and Coccidioidomycosis. Beyond the L'Oréal-UNESCO accolade, she has been awarded first place in the Medical Area by CIB (1999), received a scholarship from the International Society of Human and Animal Mycology (2000), and earned a Meritorious Thesis distinction from the University of Antioquia (2017).
Notable awards and recognitions
- 1999 - First Place, Medical Area, Corporation for Biological Research (CIB)
- 2000 - L'Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award
- 2000 - Isham Fellowship, International Society of Human and Animal Mycology
- 2014 - Editors' Selection for Articles of Significant Interest, American Society for Microbiology
- 2017 - Meritorious Thesis Award, University of Antioquia