Renowned Mexican scientist Eva Ramón Gallegos has made a groundbreaking medical advancement that could revolutionize the treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV).
Through decades of research, Ramón Gallegos developed a non-invasive photodynamic therapy that successfully eradicated HPV in 29 women, offering new hope for millions at risk of cervical cancer.
A Revolutionary Treatment
Ramón Gallegos’ innovative therapy utilizes a specialized laser combined with the drug delta-aminolevulinic acid.
This approach has proven highly effective, with a 100% eradication rate in women without precancerous lesions, and significant success in those with lesions—64.3% for those with premalignant changes and 57.2% for those with both lesions and the virus.
Given that cervical cancer claims approximately 85 lives daily across the Americas, her discovery has the potential to drastically reduce these fatalities.
A Trailblazing Career
Born in Oaxaca, Ramón Gallegos pursued her education at Universidad Veracruzana before earning a master’s degree in cytopathology and a doctorate in chemical-biological sciences from Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN).
Further refining her expertise, she conducted research in molecular biotechnology and biophotonics at the University of Minho in Portugal. Since 2001, she has led the Environmental Cytopathology Laboratory at IPN, where she has mentored over 90 students and shaped the future of biomedical research.
Her contributions to science are extensive, with 53 indexed publications, multiple patents, and research projects funded by institutions such as the National Science and Technology Council (CONACyT).
Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the Medal of Merit in Science and Technology from the Mexico City Legislative Assembly and the CANIFARMA Award for Basic Research. In 2019, Forbes recognized her as one of the “100 Most Powerful Women in Mexico.”
Transforming the Future of Medicine
Beyond HPV, Ramón Gallegos’ research in biomedicine and biotechnology is paving the way for new treatments for various diseases.
Her groundbreaking work has opened new avenues in medical innovation, transforming what was once deemed impossible into tangible progress.
