Camila Canaán-Haden | Biomedical research | Best Researcher Award

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Ms. Camila Canaán-Haden | Biomedical research | Best Researcher Award

PhD student, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB)

Camila Canaán-Haden Ayala is a Cuban researcher specializing in cancer immunotherapy. She works at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), focusing on developing therapeutic cancer vaccines and recombinant antigen production. Her expertise includes immune response evaluations using ELISA, FACS, ELISPOT, and cytokine assays in various models. She has contributed to COVID-19 clinical trials and vaccine development, including the Abdala vaccine. Camila has undertaken multiple international research fellowships in Italy, Spain, France, and Mexico. Her work aims to improve immunotherapeutic strategies against cancer by targeting immune checkpoints and optimizing vaccine efficacy.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

Camila holds a Master’s in Contemporary Biotechnology (2019-2022) from CIGB and a Bachelor’s in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (2012-2017) from the University of Havana. She completed postgraduate training in bioinformatics, immunology, protein engineering, and good laboratory practices. Her academic foundation includes mathematics, chemistry, molecular genetics, virology, and clinical biochemistry. She has pursued advanced studies in biomedical research through multiple international pre-doctoral fellowships.

💼 Experience

Since 2017, Camila has been a researcher at CIGB’s Cancer Immunotherapy Lab. She has led projects on immune checkpoint inhibition strategies and therapeutic cancer vaccine development. Her work includes antigen cloning, protein characterization, and immunogenicity studies in animal models. She has evaluated antitumor and anti-metastatic effects of novel therapies and contributed to clinical trials for COVID-19 treatments. She has also worked with antibody phage display libraries to develop scFv antibodies. Her research extends to immune response assessments for cancer and infectious disease vaccines.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Camila has received prestigious short-term pre-doctoral fellowships in Italy (ICGEB-Trieste, University of Padua), Spain (CIBIR), France (Cancer Research Center of Lyon), and Mexico (CICESE), funded by international programs like IILA, Coimbra Group, and EU Ventana Adelante. Her contributions to COVID-19 vaccine research have been recognized in published scientific papers. She has played a key role in Cuban clinical trials for novel immunotherapies and has received funding for advanced research in biotechnology and immunology.

🔍 Research Focus

Camila’s research centers on cancer immunotherapy, focusing on immune checkpoint inhibition and tumor vaccine development. She specializes in recombinant antigen production, immune response characterization, and antibody-based therapies. Her projects involve antigen cloning, protein engineering, and evaluating vaccine efficacy in preclinical models. She has explored the combination of immunotherapies targeting VEGF and PD-L1 pathways to enhance anti-tumor responses. Her work has also contributed to COVID-19 vaccine research, particularly in evaluating immunogenicity and antibody responses.

Conclusion

Camila Canaán-Haden Ayala’s academic and professional trajectory is exceptional, with significant contributions to cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development. Her technical expertise, international exposure, and scientific output make her a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. With a continued focus on expanding her clinical research impact, publishing in high-impact journals, and taking on leadership roles, her potential to drive groundbreaking innovations is evident.

Publication

M Limonta-Fernández, G Chinea-Santiago, AM Martín-Dunn, …
Title: An engineered SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain produced in Pichia pastoris as a candidate vaccine antigen
Year: 2022
Citation: 63

LA Espinosa, Y Ramos, I Andújar, EO Torres, G Cabrera, A Martín, …
Title: In-solution buffer-free digestion allows full-sequence coverage and complete characterization of post-translational modifications of the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2
Year: 2021
Citation: 15

YA Fleites, J Aguiar, Z Cinza, M Bequet, E Marrero, M Vizcaíno, I Esquivel, …
Title: HeberNasvac, a therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B, stimulates local and systemic markers of innate immunity: Potential use in SARS-CoV-2 postexposure prophylaxis
Year: 2021
Citation: 10

LA Espinosa, Y Ramos, I Andújar, EO Torres, G Cabrera, A Martín, …
Title: In-solution buffer-free digestion for the analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RBD proteins allows a full sequence coverage and detection of post-translational modifications in a single ESI
Year: 2021
Citation: 8

Y Morera-Díaz, C Canaán-Haden, J Sánchez-Ramírez, …
Title: Active immunization with a structurally aggregated PD-L1 antigen breaks T and B immune tolerance in non-human primates and exhibits in vivo anti-tumoral effects in
Year: 2023
Citation: 4

D Vázquez-Blomquist, M Bequet-Romero, Y Mendoza-Marí, G Lemos, …
Title: Nasalferon, a new nasal formulation of IFNα2b, modulates cellular and molecular elements associated with an antiviral response in mucosa and blood
Year: 2022
Citation: 4

EM Idelsis, PE Jésus, DR Yaquelin, VB Dania, BR Mónica, BR Lisandra, …
Title: A combination treatment of IFN-α2b and IFN-γ accelerates viral clearance and control inflammatory response in COVID-19: Preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial
Year: 2021
Citation: 4

C Canaán-Haden, J Sánchez-Ramírez, R Martínez-Castillo, …
Title: Immunogenicity and Safety Profile of Two Adjuvanted-PD-L1-Based Vaccine Candidates in Mice, Rats, Rabbits, and Cynomolgus Monkeys
Year: 2025
Citation: N/A

Y Morera, M Bequet-Romero, F Hernández-Bernal, I González-Moya, …
Title: Preclinical and clinical significance of VEGF deprivation in ovarian cancer through a specific active immunotherapy
Year: 2023
Citation: N/A

Xiaoxue Luo | Medicine | Excellence in Innovation

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Ms. Xiaoxue Luo | Medicine | Excellence in Innovation

 Southwest Medical University China

Luo Xiaoxue from Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China, is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Pediatrics at Southwest Medical University. She is actively involved in academic and extracurricular activities, serving as a volunteer team officer and class psychological counselor. Recognized for her leadership, she has won multiple school cultural competition awards and a class scholarship. With a strong passion for medicine, she has gained hands-on experience through internships in pediatric respiratory care and chronic disease management. Luo is also skilled in digital drawing and debugging tools, demonstrating versatility beyond her medical studies.

profile

Orcid

🎓 Education

Luo Xiaoxue enrolled at Southwest Medical University in September 2023 to study Pediatrics. Her academic journey is marked by a deep commitment to medical sciences and student welfare. She serves as a volunteer team officer, assisting faculty in organizing events, and as a class psychological counselor, offering emotional support to peers. Her dedication has earned her a class scholarship and the title of outstanding student leader. Actively participating in school cultural competitions, she has secured multiple awards. She also engages in experimental projects, enhancing her hands-on medical skills and scientific knowledge.

💼 Experience

Luo Xiaoxue gained practical experience in pediatrics during her internship at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University in July 2024, where she studied respiratory diagnosis, observed procedures like puncture and gastroscopy, and independently identified a hemophilia case. In January 2025, at Qingyun Health Center, she trained in chronic disease management, learning to operate diagnostic tools and assisting elderly patients with hypertension and diabetes. These experiences sharpened her communication and analytical skills, allowing her to translate medical complexities into patient-friendly explanations.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Luo Xiaoxue has been recognized for her academic excellence and leadership. She received a class scholarship for outstanding academic performance and was honored as an outstanding student leader for her contributions to student welfare. Her active participation in school cultural competitions has led to multiple awards. She has also been acknowledged for her volunteer work in faculty activities and student mental health support, reflecting her commitment to both academic and social responsibilities.

🔬 Research Focus

Luo Xiaoxue’s research interests revolve around pediatric respiratory diseases and chronic illnesses in elderly patients. During her hospital internships, she explored diagnostic methodologies, leading to her independent identification of a hemophilia case. She is particularly interested in improving early detection and management of childhood respiratory disorders and elderly chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Through her involvement in experimental projects, she aims to bridge the gap between clinical research and practical healthcare applications, enhancing patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Luo Xiaoxue possesses strong analytical, leadership, and research skills, making her a promising candidate for Excellence in Innovation in healthcare. With further involvement in structured research, technological advancements, and public speaking, she could significantly impact pediatric medical innovation.

Publication

Title: A Modified Second Toe Nail-Skin Flap for Refined Reconstruction of the Distal Index Finger Defect
Year: 2025
Author: Xiaoxue Luo