VALID8?

Dr Chyntia Carolina Díaz Acosta os a Biochemist the Universidad Nacional de Asuncion in Paraguay.

This is a Special VALID8 for The International Day of Women and Girls in Science Day.

What do you do/what do you research?

I work with research in mycobacteria since 2004. I started with molecular epidemiology and then shifted towards host-pathogen interaction. During the pandemic, I got involved in Sars-CoV2 diagnostics and sequencing.

What do you tell non-scientists you do?

I try to describe techniques in the lab and show them that it allows us to track transmission of microorganisms. Or I tell them that we try to figure out what a bacteria does once it gets in contact with a human cell. Or I say that we try to find some molecules that help us predict the outcome of a treatment or an infection. Sometimes during lunch or dinner I try to explain biochemical reactions that go on in our body. Most of the times people like it, but sometimes they ask me to stop explaining…they just want to eat in peaceJ.

What drew you to studying vaccines?

When I was a teenager, I was drawn towards a career in environmental issues or marine biology. But then I thought I would end up unemployed in Paraguay, since we have no sea and in the late 90´s, environmental issues were not a big concern yet…so...change of plans… When taking a proficiency test in high school, some math related careers also popped up as an option, but I felt no connection to careers like economy, because I needed to do something with a human touch... Science kept drawing my attention and I chose to study biochemistry. Since almost no one in my country studied to be a scientist, there was not really a path to follow…Very few people pursued an academic path, since no master or PhD courses were available here. I actually needed some kind of ¨Science for dummies¨ manual, but there was none. After college, I started doing short courses in neighboring countries, and rapidly realized just how far behind we were ¨science-wise¨. For me presenting a poster in front of very qualified students and teachers from other countries was a completely new level of challenge. So, there was no other way but to dive in and learn the hard way. Later, I applied for a scholarship from the Brazilian government to do a master´s degree, and obviously had no clue what to expect. Once again, completely on my own trying to fit in and figure stuff out. After that course, things started to be clearer. The science language and world started to make more sense. Back home, I could now tell other candidates what to expect, how to prepare properly and take even more advantage of the opportunity...

What do you do/what do you research?

I work with research in mycobacteria since 2004. I started with molecular epidemiology and then shifted towards host-pathogen interaction. During the pandemic, I got involved in Sars-CoV2 diagnostics and sequencing.

What do you tell non-scientists you do?

I try to describe techniques in the lab and show them that it allows us to track transmission of microorganisms. Or I tell them that we try to figure out what a bacteria does once it gets in contact with a human cell. Or I say that we try to find some molecules that help us predict the outcome of a treatment or an infection. Sometimes during lunch or dinner I try to explain biochemical reactions that go on in our body. Most of the times people like it, but sometimes they ask me to stop explaining…they just want to eat in peaceJ.

What drew you to studying vaccines?

When I was a teenager, I was drawn towards a career in environmental issues or marine biology. But then I thought I would end up unemployed in Paraguay, since we have no sea and in the late 90´s, environmental issues were not a big concern yet…so...change of plans… When taking a proficiency test in high school, some math related careers also popped up as an option, but I felt no connection to careers like economy, because I needed to do something with a human touch... Science kept drawing my attention and I chose to study biochemistry. Since almost no one in my country studied to be a scientist, there was not really a path to follow…Very few people pursued an academic path, since no master or PhD courses were available here. I actually needed some kind of ¨Science for dummies¨ manual, but there was none. After college, I started doing short courses in neighboring countries, and rapidly realized just how far behind we were ¨science-wise¨. For me presenting a poster in front of very qualified students and teachers from other countries was a completely new level of challenge. So, there was no other way but to dive in and learn the hard way. Later, I applied for a scholarship from the Brazilian government to do a master´s degree, and obviously had no clue what to expect. Once again, completely on my own trying to fit in and figure stuff out. After that course, things started to be clearer. The science language and world started to make more sense. Back home, I could now tell other candidates what to expect, how to prepare properly and take even more advantage of the opportunity...

What is the most interesting thing you have learned in your job?

When I applied for the PhD scholarship (only a handful options from foreign governments were available in Paraguay), I made a more conscious decision about what I wanted to research. It was then that I decided that basic research was more appealing to me. During my PhD, I worked with recombinant BCG strains (BCG is the strain for tuberculosis vaccination) that expressed molecules specific to tuberculosis or leprosy. Exploring the interaction of this modified vaccine strain with human cells (macrophages or nerve cells/Schwann cells) and trying to understand how the bacterium is capable of modulating the host cell was fascinating too me.

What is the most challenging part of your job or research?

So many things come to mind… Doing research in a country were almost no investment was available, where few people dared to take that path in the past…where there is little community awareness about the importance of research…makes everything so lethargic. Even though, currently more investment is available, access to reagents and supplies is difficult due to costs and bureaucracy. Furthermore, being a researcher here means doing both administrative and lab work and learning to deal with lots of setbacks. Nevertheless, both my passion for science and the great role models in my life have given me the resilience to carry on with my choice. Since we are celebrating ¨The International day of Women and Girls in Science¨, allow me to emphasize the role of women in the development of science in Paraguay.

Who are your women role models?

My mother and her infinite patience and dedication has been a great example to follow. At the Research Institute (IICS-National University of Asunción) where I work, mostly women have dedicated their lives to open the opportunity to new generations.

What advice would you give to girls and young women considering a career in science?

Women have always had an important role in Paraguay. In fact, if you read the history of my country, women have had to rebuild the country many times. In science, women opened many of the first research areas and received training and funding from visiting researchers to start projects. This group of pioneers and my PhD tutor have inspired me to do the same with younger scientists... I have been very lucky in that matter. Nowadays, I can happily say that more students are interested in research, here in Paraguay. I can see this evolution develop right in front of my eyes, which is very encouraging. Governmental scholarships to study abroad are now available, so I try to mentor students or guide them as much as I can. Paraguayan society is slowly grasping the importance of research; I believe the pandemic has had a big impact. It has shed light on the silent work of researchers and sparked interest in vaccine design and development. I think the take home message that COVID-19 has given us is the to emphasize the historical importance of vaccines and that its history should be better communicated to our younger generations. As for girls and younger women… change is possible even in the smallest places on earth, I am living the transition as we speak..and I firmly believe that solutions can arise from any remote part of the world. Hardship sparks creativity!

Find out more

You can find more about Chyntia's research on her VALIDATE biography page.

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