A journey from academia to industry through the language of the genome

Resumen

From a very young age, I have been deeply fascinated by the simplicity and elegance of the genetic code—just four letters, A, G, C, and T, encoding the immense complexity of nature’s biodiversity. This fascination has driven my passion for understanding how decoding this language can lead to endless biotechnological and medical advancements, with the potential to address some of society’s most pressing challenges.

For over fourteen years, I dedicated my career to academic research, focusing on the application of functional genomics to explore various biological processes, such as evolution, embryonic development, and the molecular foundations of human diseases. However, some time ago, my professional path took a new direction, and I am currently part of a growing pharmacogenomics company, Duponte Research and Development, whose vision is to integrate pharmacogenomic analysis into routine clinical practice to ensure that every patient receives the most effective treatment, at the optimal dose, and at the right time.

I was also a student in these master’s programs many years ago, and this talk aims to offer a personal perspective on the opportunities that both academia and industry can provide, as well as the importance of education, passion, and curiosity in professional development.