FWC Highlights Grant Recipient Valentina Hoyos Velez, MD, For National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024
Valentina Hoyos Velez, MD
Valentina Hoyos Velez, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine, is the recipient of the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) Research Grant in Memory of Peggy A. Yates, announced in March 2024.
There are several cancers, including cervical, vaginal, and vulvar, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a common infection worldwide. Valentina Hoyos Velez, MD, and her team are developing a cutting-edge approach to treatment using a special type of immune cell that could lead to more effective outcomes for individuals battling these cancers.
Dr. Hoyos Velez’s approach engineers cells to specifically target and destroy HPV-related cancer cells, even when these cells attempt to evade the immune system. “My research has the potential to change how we treat gynecologic cancers by making advanced therapies more accessible,” she shares. “While T cell therapies have shown success in other diseases, they are often too expensive because they are highly personalized and created for just one patient at a time.” Ideally, the cells being used in her research can be given to all patients as an off-the-shelf treatment, which can ensure that more communities, particularly those that are underserved, have access to life-saving treatments.
The 2024 theme of Hispanic Heritage Month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” Dr. Hoyos Velez’s journey to medicine, her targeted research, and her commitment to addressing health disparities, all deeply influenced by her heritage, make her an ideal honoree this month. “Being a Hispanic woman in medicine and science has shaped my perspective in profound ways,” she reflects. “Growing up, I saw the challenges of not having access to research opportunities in my own country.” This experience inspired an ambitious move to the United States, where Dr. Hoyos Velez could pursue her dream of making a difference in cancer research.
Dr. Hoyos Velez and team celebrate a graduate student who assisted this research project
Dr. Hoyos Velez’s Hispanic heritage is a constant reminder of the importance of advocating for those who are often overlooked in the healthcare system. “This theme resonates with me because it’s what I strive to do—pioneer new ways to treat cancer and bring people together to make it happen,” she reflects. She works with a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, and patient advocates who she believes can collaboratively develop innovative therapies that can truly make a difference.
As the field of gynecologic oncology continues to evolve, Dr. Hoyos Velez envisions a future where cutting-edge treatments are accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or financial situation. She hopes to see more innovations being developed and made available to all patients to break down the barriers that currently exist in healthcare. “I want to see a future where advanced cancer treatments are within reach for everyone,” she emphasizes. “Innovations like the therapies we’re developing could help make that vision a reality.”
Having achieved significant milestones in her career, Dr. Hoyos Velez offers valuable wisdom to young researchers pursuing careers in medicine and research. “Never underestimate the power of your determination,” she advises. “Believe in yourself, even when the road gets tough. Surround yourself with people who support you and seek out mentors who can guide you. She reminds future medical professionals that only they can conceive certain and that their perspectives are valuable—a recipe for unique contributions in medicine and research.
Dr. Hoyos Velez and research team celebrate the holidays together
Looking to the future, Dr. Hoyos Velez aspires to leave a legacy in the field of gynecologic oncology. “My hope is to create treatments that improve the quality of life for women facing these difficult cancers,” she says. Beyond developing treatments that save lives, her ultimate goal is to inspire the next generation of researchers, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, to continue this important work.
