The Atlas of Inspiring Hispanic and Latinx Scientists, a database from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center that features Hispanic and Latinx scientific faculty and their research, published its inaugural list on Sept. 16. Among the 345 honored were two Notre Dame College of Science faculty members were Ana L. Flores-Mireles and Felipe H. Santiago-Tirado.

Both are faculty in the Department of Biological Sciences. Flores-Mireles is Jeffrey C. and Jeffrey A. Hawk associate professor and focuses on microbial pathogenicity in catheter-associated infections, while Santiago-Tirado is an assistant professor and researches the cell biology of cryptococcal disease.

“I feel honored and grateful,” Santiago-Tirado said, “but also very happy and even more energized to keep working with young minds, regardless of their skin color or race, to support them and help them achieve their goals – the same way others did for me.”

Santiago-Tirado wished to thank his many mentors and role models, including Flores-Mireles and Daniel Colon-Ramos of the Yale School of Medicine, who was also honored in the initial atlas.

“I want to be like them, a mentor for all, but I do recognize the disadvantage some parts of our population experience, so if I can help address that by being part of this list, I’m super grateful to whoever nominated me.”

Flores-Mireles also expressed her gratitude at being included in the atlas alongside other Hispanic scientists.

“Having the recognition that my research career is inspiring validates all the effort and hard work I have done over the years,” Flores-Mireles said.

She credited Santiago-Tirado, family, her research benefactors, and her academic and non-academic mentors with providing her with the help and support she needed to succeed.

“I especially thank my Master’s mentor, Dr. Gina Holguin, for opening the doors for me to study Microbiology,” Flores-Mireles said. “Even though she is no longer with us, I thank her everyday for believing in me and for showing me the amazing world of Microbiology.”

Originally published by Gray Nocjar at science.nd.edu on September 30, 2024.