Valerie Quinones-Avita learned a passion for Puerto Rican salsa music and dance from her late father, and she keeps his memory alive by incorporating that passion in her research.
She has a strong desire to improve health services and health systems.
Quinones-Avita, who has an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering and experience with mathematical models, is pursuing her master’s degree in health services research and evaluation from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus.
Interested in pursuing a doctoral degree in health system research, Quinones-Avita applied to Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program, which offers a five-day summer institute and internships to encourage master’s-level students and health professionals to pursue a doctoral degree and a cancer research career.
She called Éxito! a “memorable experience.”
“I had the opportunity of bonding with fellow participants, sharing our interest, goals, fears, and inspirations,” Quinones-Avita said.
