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I have always had a passion for science and helping others, especially those with conditions that are misunderstood. Seeing my childhood best friend’s mother in Mexico develop multiple sclerosis (MS) in the early 1990s, when few treatment options were available to her, helped to shape my career path.

I set off to become a neuroimmunologist, a specialty that combines the study of the immune system and the nervous system. While training in neurology, I had an opportunity to care for people with brain tumors, and that experience ignited my passion for neuro-oncology, treating tumors in the nervous system. Now I specialize in both fields, which allows me to treat people with brain and spine tumors, as well as complications that can arise from cancer immunotherapy treatments. I also see people who develop paraneoplastic disorders, which are neurologic symptoms resulting from the body’s immune response to cancer.

I am driven to help in difficult cases, as I am keen on getting to the root of the problem and finding the best solutions. I often ask myself: Is this the best treatment? What else can be done? How can we improve or maintain the person’s quality of life? I want people to feel heard and to know that they and their family members are not alone.

At �ٺ���Ƶ’s Brain and Spine Tumor Center, part of Perlmutter Cancer Center, we are committed to developing a world-class program that incorporates a collaborative, multidisciplinary, and holistic approach to patient care. In our quest to find better treatment options, we are always looking for innovative clinical trials to offer to our patients. My Spanish-speaking patients and their families appreciate that I speak Spanish fluently. As a Latina myself, I understand the values and culture of the Latino population and the challenges they may experience in healthcare.