recognitions

Magaly's career is a testament to dedication, innovation, and commitment to public health. Over the years, she has been recognized multiple times for her contributions to both the scientific community and the vulnerable populations she has served, building a career of impact and social transformation.

Her journey began at the Cayetano Heredia University School of Medicine, where she earned second place in her entire class in 2001. Since her undergraduate days, Magaly has demonstrated a strong commitment to the community she serves, evidenced when she received the University Social Responsibility Award from the Consortium of Universities for a project focused on improving the well-being of women living with HIV. This was during her sixth year of medical school.

This focus on public health and social inclusion fueled her quest to expand her knowledge and skills at renowned institutions. Between 2003 and 2008, Magaly was awarded several international scholarships that allowed her to pursue a master's degree, a doctorate, two diplomas, and various internships. These scholarships were granted by the Fogarty Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the International Research and Training Program in Biomedical Informatics, and the International HIV Research and Training Program at the University of Washington. Additionally, Magaly participated in global health training programs at the NIH and the University of California, San Francisco, experiences that profoundly enriched her perspective on global public health challenges.

In 2010, her research work was internationally recognized when she received the "New Investigator in Global Health" award from the Global Health Council, a milestone that consolidated her position as an emerging leader in global health. A year later, in 2011, in Peru, she received an honorable mention in the National Epidemiology Award for her innovative study on technology-based interventions to increase the number of men who have sex with men and trans women who receive HIV testing, demonstrating her ability to address sensitive and urgent issues with effective technological solutions.

Her constant pursuit of innovative solutions led her to numerous awards throughout her career. In 2016, Magaly was honored with the prestigious Elsevier Foundation Award for Early-Career Women Scientists, highlighting her leadership in a field historically dominated by men. That same year, she received the L'Oréal-UNESCO Concytec Award, which recognizes Peruvian scientists for their impact on research, as well as the Best Practices in Public Management Award for her outstanding work with the Mamás del Río project, which seeks to improve maternal and child health in rural Amazonian communities.

As her career progressed, Magaly continued to make her mark in the field of social innovation. In 2018, she was recognized with the Eisenhower Fellowship, a scholarship that highlighted her ability to combine leadership and innovation in her projects and allowed her to travel to 12 cities in the United States to research how to achieve sustainability in social projects. A year later, in 2019, she received the International Award for Social Innovation in Health from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for the impact of Mamás del Río on indigenous communities.

Recognition of her leadership was not limited to public health institutions. In 2023, Forbes included her among the 50 most powerful women in Peru, highlighting her influence and ability to mobilize resources and people in support of health equity. This recognition was a clear reflection of her ability to inspire others and her constant struggle to improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities.

Finally, in 2024, her career was consolidated with the award of the Fulbright Scholarship for women working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields and the PAHO Best Practices in Primary Health Care award, reaffirming her role as a leader in public and global health and her ongoing commitment to collaboration and innovation.

Magaly has contributed to the generation of knowledge in various areas of health with more than 50 scientific publications and three book chapters. She has recorded podcasts for influential organizations such as Duolingo and the WHO and has appeared in various media interviews. Her personal story has been featured in specialized science magazines and in books for adults and children such as Women in the Bicentennial, Guardians of Health, and Our Great Adventure in Science.

Throughout her career, Magaly has not only achieved personal achievements but has also made a profound impact on the lives of the communities she has served. Her multiple recognitions reflect her commitment to excellence and innovation, but, more than anything, underscore her dedication to making a real difference in society. The story of her achievements is an example of how passion, hard work, and vision can transform lives and contribute to global well-being.