Daniela Robles Espinoza
Director and Associate Professor, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)
Research Interest:
Cancer, bioinformatics, genomics, underrepresented populations
PhD : National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM)Sanger Institute, as part of a University of Cambridge PhD program
Funding Sources : Wellcome Trust mainly. Also some funding from the Mexican government and from the university.
About Her Research
Dr. Robles Espinoza's laboratory identifies the causes of cancer development in Latin American populations. Her work is motivated by the fact that different cancer types have distinct incidences depending on geographic location and genetic ancestry, while Latin American patients remain severely underrepresented in international cancer repositories. She specifically studies acral melanoma, the most commonly diagnosed melanoma subtype in Mexico and other Latin American, African, and Asian countries, for which no specific inhibitors currently exist.
Training & Return Journey
Daniela completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge, UK, working at the Wellcome Sanger Institute where she learned methods for analyzing massive cancer sequencing datasets. Her work identified POT1, a melanoma predisposition gene now included in genetic counseling panels. Her motivation to return was driven by the potential contribution she could make studying an understudied cancer type in an understudied population, as well as an offer from UNAM that would provide the facilities needed for this research.
Navigating Challenges
The excessive bureaucracy required to obtain reagents or biological agents can take years. Managing this requires patience and facilitating communication between all involved parties. Additionally, the international perception that science conducted in Latin America is "inferior" to that in the Global North is a persistent challenge. She combats this by forging robust collaborations and demonstrating the quality of their studies through scientific publications and presentations.
Funding & Support
Government funding from both Mexico and the United Kingdom has been crucial. Organizations including SECIHTI (formerly CONACYT) and the Wellcome Trust were most important for her studies and group establishment. Additional support from the Melanoma Research Alliance, Forbeck Foundation, Academy of Medical Sciences (UK), and Medical Research Council (UK) contributed to establishing her laboratory in Mexico.
Advice to Young Scientists
"Identify a research gap in your country—this can significantly help you obtain funding and recruit team members. Take advantage of every opportunity to make connections. Human relationships are a very important part of scientific work and can contribute significantly to building your research teams and carrying out your projects."