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Dr. Estefanía Sánchez-Vásquez:
Dr. Estefanía Sánchez-Vásquez:
LatinxDB Chair 2025-2026
LatinxDB Chair 2025-2026
Meet Estefania Sanchez-Vasquez: our 2025-2026 Chair.
What makes a stem cell decide to become a neuron instead of a skin cell? Or what happens when that decision-making process goes wrong? These are some of the questions driving her.
From the Peruvian Andes to to Chascomus’s lake and beyond
Estefanía’s path to the cutting edge of bioengineering wasn't a straight line. Growing up in the Andes, she spent her childhood exploring nature, looking for tadpoles, and playing soccer. She wasn't always a "straight-A" student, but she had a relentless curiosity that eventually led her to a fascination with microRNAs—tiny regulatory switches of the biological world.
Her career took a life-changing turn thanks to an unexpected place: Facebook. While looking for research opportunities, she connected with a lab in Chascomus, Argentina. Dr. Pablo Strobl-Mazzulla’s lab introduced her to the wonders of developmental biology. At the same time, his mentorship was fundamental for her continuation in academia.
Fun fact: When Pablo asked her if she’d like to apply for a PhD, her honest response was: “What’s a PhD?” Once she learned she could get paid to do the research she loved, there was no looking back.
Modulation of the neural crest migration by in-ovo electroporation of a specific miRNA in the chicken embryo. This figure was part of Estefanía's PhD research in Chascomús.
Mouse embryonic micromanipulation is widely used to study how different genes control early embryonic development
Chicken embryos are a powerful model for studying development since they develop externally in the eggshell, allowing easy access and manipulation
The Science: understanding how cells make decision in the embryo
Estefanía’s current research focuses on the earliest, most critical moments of development. Her motivation stemmed from the fact that 3% of babies in the United States are affected by birth defects, and the number rises to 21% in parts of Latin America. In the future, she hopes to contribute to the use of stem cells in preventive and therapeutic applications.
Here’s a snapshot of what she’s investigating specifically:
Cellular Fate: She studies how cells transition between different identities. It’s a bit like watching a student pick a major—she wants to know why some cells "graduate" into specific roles while others hit "roadblocks."
Healthy Pregnancies: She specifically looks at trophoblast stem cells, the precursor of the placenta. These cells have to transform into giant cells to help an embryo implant. If this transition fails, it can lead to infertility or pregnancy complications.
The High-Tech Toolkit: To investigate how these decisions are made, Estefania uses:
CRISPR epigenomics: to modify cell decisions.
Single-Cell Sequencing: To see exactly what’s happening inside one cell at a time.
Live imaging confocal microscopy: with high-speed cameras, she can capture how cells make decisions and modify their morphology.
Breaking Barriers in Academia
As a first-generation queer scientist, Estefania is deeply committed to making sure the next generation of researchers doesn't have to ask, "What's a PhD?" because they'll already see themselves represented in the lab.
As the Chair of the Latinx in Developmental Biology Network (Latinx DB), she works to break down the systemic barrier of accessibility by helping organize events to "demystify" the academic path and by increasing the visibility of role models.
Today, Estefanía still finds joy at the bench, but her greatest sense of purpose comes from being the mentor she wished she’d had, guiding the next wave of scientists toward their own big discoveries
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