Maira Castañeda-Avila, PhD

Growing up in Colombia, my fascination with addressing healthcare disparities began early. I experienced firsthand the gaps in healthcare access. When my family moved to Puerto Rico, I noticed that healthcare inequities persisted even with more resources, which further motivated me to improve health outcomes for marginalized populations.

I earned a bachelor's degree in cellular and molecular biology from Universidad Ana G. Méndez in Puerto Rico, participated in the Introduction to Cancer Research Careers program at the National Cancer Institute, and pursued a Master of Science in Epidemiology from Universidad de Puerto Rico Medical School. My academic journey continued through the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at UMass Chan, followed by a Ph.D. in Clinical and Population Health Research and a post-doc at the Prevention and Control of Cancer, Training for Change in Individuals and Systems (PRACCTIS) program at UMass Chan.

I've explored various facets of cancer, including colorectal cancer, multiple myeloma, lung cancer, and HPV-related cancers, with a particular focus on Hispanic older adults. Mentoring is a passion of mine, and I find great fulfillment in guiding and supporting future researchers. This dedication has been reinforced through each step of my academic and professional journey, driving my commitment to making a positive impact in cancer care and addressing health disparities.