Maria Iglesias de Ussel, PharmD, PhD, recently joined the Duke Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine as a Senior Research Scientist!
Dr. Iglesias grew up in Madrid, Spain, where she trained as a PharmD and later earned her PhD. More than 20 years ago, she came to the U.S. and continued working as a scientist, first in Virology and later in Immunology. She then transitioned into pre-clinical and early clinical development, and for the last 7 years has focused on translational research and commercialization. She recently worked at Duke’s Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and then as a Senior Scientist at RTI International Global Public Health Impact Center, before returning to Duke.
As a molecular biologist, her interest in genomics is attributed to her appreciation for how genomics is revolutionizing the way diseases are diagnosed and treated. “It’s such a rapidly evolving field that is yielding many groundbreaking discoveries,” said Dr. Iglesias. She joins a team of applied genomics investigators here at Duke Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine doing just that.
Her eagerness to learn new skills is a big reason Dr. Iglesias is where she is today. She shared some advice for someone pursuing a career as a research scientist, “Get exposed to as many aspects as possible, not just different research fields, but also complementary disciplines (clinical, regulatory, commercialization, etc.), since translational research requires a holistic approach.”
Her favorite part about Duke is the collaborative environment and all the cutting-edge technology that is being developed right in our backyard.
Outside of work, Dr. Iglesias enjoys the Durham area, and especially how the community boasts many entrepreneurs. She is also a fan of the variety of restaurants in the area and the beautiful trees that surround much of the city. In her spare time, she has a passion for interior design.
Welcome Maria!