Draft:María Angélica Camargo

María Angélica Camargo, a Brazilian 32-year-old molecular biologist, began her academic journey at the Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho from 2005 to 2011, earning a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy-Biochemistry. Her education continued at UFSCar from 2013 to 2015, where she earned a Master's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.¹ To elevate her scientific background, Camargo began her postgraduate studies in the Management and Execution of Technological Innovation Projects at the Universidade de São Paulo (USP) in 2012-2013.¹ Currently, she is on track to obtain a Ph.D. in Biomolecular Physics from USP, which she is expected to complete in 2024.¹

Career

Camargo's professional career began at Wama Diagnostica, where she joined as an intern in Research and Development (R&D) in January 2010.¹ Over the course of nine years and eight months, she proved her worth to the company and was given the critical position of Chief of Research and Development until August of 2019.¹ In March of 2020, Camargo took on the role of a researcher at Prothera, contributing to the company's research, products, and services in serological and molecular diagnosis.

Contribution to Dengue Detection

A significant portion of Camargo's recognition and impact comes from her work with Dengue Fever; according to the World Health Organization, this disease is a mosquito-borne illness affecting millions annually usually in tropical and subtropical climates. With the rise of the Zika virus, there was a problem in the similarities between this virus and Dengue - testing of the two had become confusing and people were being misdiagnosed and mistreated.

Invention: Dengue Test

Acknowledging this problem, Camargo took it upon herself to develop a new and more efficient Dengue test through core innovation, which was focused on early detection of the disease. She was able to accomplish this by utilizing a specialized protein that ensured more accuracy and affordability. Camargo's new test provides a solution for two main pain points. First, it is able to distinguish between the molecular similarities between Dengue and Zika through better accuracy, which is critical to reduce the likelihood of false positives so that patients can receive the correct treatment. Second, it is accessible and affordable, which assists patients in areas with limited healthcare.⁵ Currently, the Dengue test has been successfully distributed across all of Brazil and in other Latin American countries, testing patients where the Dengue disease is more common and there is a major lack in healthcare affordability and accessibility. This invention has combined Camargo's commitment to her scientific research as well as her vision in making healthcare more accessible to underserved communities.

Recognition for Women Innovators

Camargo's innovative work has earned her recognition, notably as a winner in the Latin American Innovators Under 35 from the MIT Technology Review LATAM edition in 2019.⁵ Her achievements underscore her dedication to advancing science and addressing pressing global health challenges, specifically in underserved communities. As a woman innovator in STEM, Camargo is actively overcoming obstacles, recognizing the importance of women representation in scientific fields. With the underrepresentation of women in STEM, especially Latina women, María Angélica Camargo proves to be an inspiration, illustrating the impact that women can have in science and innovation.