This is a translation of the original article written by MARÍA XIMENA MONTAÑO ROZO.
Original article (in spanish) at: javeriana.edu.co
Clarity is power, and Federico Perdomo knows this better than anyone. From a young age, this Colombian doctor found his passion in immunology and became a prominent figure in the country’s scientific research. For him, science is his mission, and through it, he has achieved significant advances in the study of diseases such as dengue and HIV.
At 32 years old, Federico Perdomo Celis has achieved what many aspire to accomplish in a lifetime: he proudly says he has already achieved everything he once dreamed of. This Colombian doctor and researcher has left his mark in the field of immunology, with important scientific contributions and valuable academic recognition, despite his short career.
From the beginning of his career, Federico was clear that his vocation was medical science. His perseverance was such that, after completing five semesters of nursing and making several attempts to enter undergraduate medicine, he achieved his goal at the Universidad Surcolombiana in Neiva, and quickly, by the fourth semester, his interest turned toward scientific research, particularly in immunology.
One of the elements that most fascinates him about this specialty is its complexity and dynamism. He explains that it has been the only branch of medical research that, through vaccines, has eradicated a disease: smallpox. This feat reaffirms the importance and potential of his field. “What I like is that immunology is supremely complicated and there are many things to discover. Additionally, it’s an area that advances very quickly: what we think we know today may be obsolete tomorrow,” he notes.
For the current medical immunologist, professor, and researcher at the Institute of Human Genetics at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, having a clear purpose, being focused, and cultivating discipline have been the main sources of his success, because “clarity is power,” he says, citing the phrase popularized by Tony Robbins. This perspective has allowed him to advance in his academic career without deviating into unnecessary paths. For example, “many asked me why I didn’t do a master’s degree. I already had publications and experience; but I knew that the doctorate was the most direct path to my goals,” he explains.
Federico Perdomo’s Research Career
Throughout his career, Federico has worked on diseases and viruses such as dengue, Zika, and HIV, all with special relevance to him. For example, his interest in dengue has a personal origin: as a child, his sister faced difficulties with the virus. This experience marked him and motivated him to explore dengue’s pathophysiology, leading him to develop diagnostic tools and severity biomarkers.
Regarding HIV, his most outstanding contribution focuses on the search for an innovative cure strategy through cellular reprogramming. This advance has been well received by the scientific community and has begun to be tested in animal models, with the goal of implementing it in humans in the future.
Original article (in spanish) at: javeriana.edu.co
