Medicine and Human Geography
MD, PhD
ORCID: 0000-0003-4969-8959
International Scientific Committees (volunteer work)
Task Force on Traditional and Indigenous Food Systems and Nutrition (TIFSAN) of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS)
(April 2024-present)
Role: Member
The objective of the TIFSAN task force is to promote and document diverse Indigenous and local food systems through research to improve nutrition, health, and well-being.
UN Environment Program (UNEP)
(May 2023-present)
Role: Lead Author in Indigenous and Local Knowledge. (see here)
Contributing to the Seventh version of the Global Environmental Outlook (GEO), the flagship report of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which provides an integrated assessment of the state of the global environment. It presents environmental trends for air, climate, water, land, and biodiversity, drawing on major global assessments from international science panels and United Nations bodies.
Lancet Commission on Sustainable Healthcare (LCSH)
(June 2023-present)
Role: Commissioner
The LCSH is dedicated to facilitating a rapid transition to low-carbon, sustainable, resilient health systems. Sustainable healthcare systems provide universal access to appropriate care that optimizes health and well-being for today’s patients and communities, as well as for future generations, through care that is necessary, desired, clinically effective, affordable, equitable, responsible in its use of resources, and functioning within planetary boundaries.
The Global Hub on Indigenous People´s Food Systems (see here)
UN Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
(November 2023-present)
Role: Member
The Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems is a space of co-creation of knowledge on Indigenous Peoples’ food systems, blending scientific and Indigenous Peoples' knowledge systems. Both are considered at the same level of respect and consideration.
Work experience
Co-Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Observatory Network (IPON) on Climate, Food, and Health
(Jan. 2024-current)
Organization: Priestly Centre for Climate Futures, University of Leeds, UK, and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru (UPCH)
Funding: The International Joint Initiative for Research in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation (NFRF)
Co-Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Observatories on COVID-19
(Nov. 2020-Dec 2023)
Organization: Priestly Centre for Climate Futures, University of Leeds, UK, and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru (UPCH)
Funding: GCRF/Newton (UKRI) and the University of Leeds (see link).
Food biodiversity, nutrition and resilience to climate change
Position:Post-Doctorate
University of Leeds, England
Peruvian Cayetano Heredia University, Peru
(Lima, Peru, 2020-2023)
Impact of food biodiversity on nutrition (anemia) and its effect on resilience to extreme flooding that could potentially be linked to climate change among the Indigenous Shawi peoples in the Peruvian Amazon.
Indigenous health and climate change adaptation
University of Guelph, Canada
Peruvian Cayetano Heredia University, Peru
(Lima, Peru, Jan. 2019 - Dec. 2019)
Impact mechanisms of climate change on the health of the Shawi and Shipibo Indigenous populations of the Peruvian Amazon through food security.
Department of Geography, Laboratory of Health Geography, McGill University
Assistant Professor
(Montreal, Canada: Jan. 2014 - Apr. 2014)
GEOG 403 Global Health and Environment
Indigenous Health Unit, Cayetano Heredia Foundation
Founder, Head of the Unit
(Lima, Peru: Dec. 2010 - Jul. 2012)
Promoting health research of Indigenous populations based on an intercultural perspective with the use of quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods.
Indigenous Health Unit, Cayetano Heredia Foundation
Senior Consultant for Health Partners - Peru
(Lima, Peru: Dec. 2010 - Jul. 2012)
Executed the research study "Prevalence and risk factors for TB in the Asháninka Indigenous population".
Research development planning, data collection and analysis design and drafting the final report.
Research project on Febrile Syndrome, Alexander von Humboldt Institute of Tropical Medicine - Faculty of Medicine, Peruvian Cayetano Heredia University
Coordinator
(Lima, Peru: May. 2009 - Dec. 2010)
Monitor research activities in five Peruvian cities: Tumbes, Puerto Maldonado, Cusco, Yurimaguas and Chanchamayo.
Provide support to medical researchers with data collection, data analysis and reporting for local health authorities.
National Center for Intercultural Health (CENSI), National Institute of Health - Ministry of Health of Peru
Medical researcher
(Lima, Peru: Sep. 2007 - Jun. 2009)
Design and supervision with the Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B research in five Indigenous communities of the Peruvian Amazon: Candoshi, Shapra, Machigenguas, Nanti and Yine (Loreto).
Intercultural strategy development for HIV prevention among the Shawi Indigenous population.
Formulation support of Peruvian intercultural policies related to the health of Indigenous populations.
Drafting of scientific articles related to Indigenous health in Peru.
Naval Medical Research Unit N.º 6 (NAMRU 6), Institutional Ethics Committee
Core member
(Lima, Peru: Sep. 2007 - Oct. 2012)
Monthly meetings with the Ethics Committee for the evaluation of the infectious disease research projects.
Office of Epidemiology, Santa Gema Hospital, Province of Alto Amazonas, Loreto Regional Health Administration, Ministry of Health of Peru
Field doctor
(Loreto, Peru: Sep. 2003 - Dec. 2004)
Serving Indigenous communities (Candoshis, Shapra, Shawi and Shiwilu) affected by disease outbreaks in the provinces of Alto Amazonas and Datem (Loreto).
Febrile Syndrome Project, Ministry of Health of Peru
Rural doctor in Yurimaguas
(Loreto, Peru: Sep. 2003 - Dec. 2004)
Evaluating, registration and follow-up of patients with febrile diseases (including dengue fever, Oropuche, Mayaro, Venezuelan equine encephalitis - EEV, hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis and malaria).