Physician-scientist in psychiatry and a global mental health entrepreneur, working to create scalable, community-based mental health systems in low- and middle-income countries with a focus on Guatemala; Stanford psychiatry resident and co-founder of MiResource and FUNDEGUA
Duke and home: “When I began my freshman year at Duke, I was determined to maintain a connection to Guatemala, knowing that my journey through medical training would likely keep me away for many years. I connected with Dr. David Boyd at the Global Health Institute. He introduced me to community-based participatory research, an experience that completely reshaped my trajectory. Together, we launched a student club called Desarrolla, secured funding, and implemented a study on chronic childhood malnutrition. This eventually led me to start a foundation before I turned 20. Duke also gave me my first exposure to psychiatry through my neuroscience courses and countless hours spent in Perkins Library, where my academic curiosity grew into a vocation. It was my first real home away from home and gave me the courage to carve my own unconventional path.”
True success: “I want my mind to feel alive and engaged, and I find joy in complexity rather than simplicity. I don’t think much about retirement because I feel so aligned with my work and how I spend my days. Success also means nurturing close relationships with my family and chosen family and being fully present for the people I care about.”
The future: “My long-term vision is to help build and strengthen rights-based, community-driven mental health systems, starting in Guatemala and expanding across Latin America. I aim to continue translating global mental health research into national policy changes, workforce development, and scalable digital tools to improve access to care.”