Hello, my name is Maria Alexandra Artunduaga, welcome to my website!!
I am a medical doctor originally from Colombia, South America. Currently, I am working in the Seidman lab at Harvard Medical School and my research is to determine the genetic basis of external ear malformations. I chose Harvard Medical School because I feel it offers both accessibility to the latest technology and to the possibility of outstanding research training.
My long range goal is to have an academic medical career focusing on craniofacial abnormalities. While these occur at significantly higher rates in my country, they have largely remained unstudied. To accomplish this, I am currently training and gaining experience in genetics of human diseases. In the near future my plans include applying for surgical residency in the US, to finally become a pediatric reconstructive (craniofacial) surgeon. Becoming a surgeon/scientist will allow me to offer treatment and deepen my understanding of the multifactorial issues related congenital craniofacial diseases.
I plan to return to Colombia in a few years to create a center of excellence in craniofacial research and treatment. At this center, a multidisciplinary team including craniofacial, dental, nutrition experts could provide treatment with costs offset by international charitable organizations. Research at this center, done with rigorous standards of the international scientific community, would not only help those with abnormalities but also build the reputation of Colombian research.