Honduras
Instituto de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitologia Antonio Vidal
The Instituto de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitologia Antonio Vidal (Antonio Vidal Institute of Infectious Diseases and Parasitology, IAV) is a private non-profit foundation. The IAV is committed to the development and promotion of research, training, and consultation activities on infectious diseases and parasitology, assisting government and university institutions in their healthcare, administrative, technical, and teaching functions, to contribute to clinical-epidemiological diagnosis, management, control, and prevention of these diseases and to improve the health of affected populations.
Team
Jackeline Alger
Country Lead - Instituto Antonio Vidal
Jackie is a parasitologist working in the Clinical Laboratory Department of the main public health hospital, Hospital Escuela, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Antonio Vidal Institute for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IAV). Jackie combines clinical laboratory work, teaching, and research activities with mentoring health students and professionals. In 2019, Jackie received a special mention as Honduras' HIFA Country Representative: Link to Jackeline’s HIFA Biography.
Contact: jackeline.alger@hospitalescuela.edu.hn, jackelinealger@gmail.com
Dr. Carlos Sánchez
Co-Investigator
Carlos is a pediatrician specialized in Intensive Care from the National Institute of Pediatrics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). He currently serves as Director of Comprehensive Health Care at Hospital Escuela. His work in critical care and emergency units has driven continuous improvement initiatives. He is a founding member of the Honduran Foundation for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and contributes to the training program of Pediatric Intensive Care at UNAH, integrating his duties with ethical research practices at Hospital Escuela.
Contact: carlos.sanchez@hospitalescuela.edu.hn
Maria A. Ramos
Clinical Endocrinologist, Endocrinology Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Escuela
Maria Alejandra is a clinical endocrinologist. She currently serves as the Head of Service and leads the Unit of Inter-Institutional Operations at Hospital Escuela, coordinating projects across institutions. She combines clinical patient care with teaching and research activities at local and regional levels. She also mentors internal medicine fellows and health researchers, and is a co-investigator of the Florida State University Global Health Consortium, serving as a liaison in Honduras.
Contact: drmarialeramos@hotmail.com
Diana Varela
Infectious Disease Specialist, Infectious Diseases Service, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Escuela
Diana is a specialist in internal medicine and infectious diseases. She currently serves as Head of the Infectious Diseases Service and oversees the Comprehensive Health Care Service for people living with HIV at Hospital Escuela, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She is also a member of the Antonio Vidal Institute for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IAV) and actively participates in training programs focused on the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases.
Contact: ds_varela@hotmail.com
Xiomara Medina
Professional Nurse, Epidemiologist, Academic Management and Research Department, Hospital Escuela
Xiomara is a professional nurse and educator with a master's degree in Epidemiology and Public Health, scientific research training, and experience in managing and leading hospital health services. She coordinates continuing education for nursing staff and currently serves as Head of the Academic Management and Research Department at Hospital Escuela. She is also the site coordinator (evening shift) for The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge.
Contact: elga.medina@hospitalescuela.edu.hn
Clarissa Aguilar
Project Manager (Morning Shift)
Clarissa is a pediatrician from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) with a subspecialty in Pediatric Oncology from the National Institute of Pediatrics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). She also holds a Master's degree in Epidemiology and a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from the Center for Research and Health Studies at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (CIES UNAN). Currently, she serves as a Site Coordinator for The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge.
Contact: claguilar01@gmail.com
Cinthya Karina Mejía Escobar
Epidemiologist
Cinthya studied medicine and surgery at the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH) and earned her Master's degree in Epidemiology with an emphasis on Implementation Research from the University of Antioquia, Colombia. She currently works as a Medical Auditor in the Forensic Medical Unit at Hospital Escuela and as an Epidemiologist for the research data center for The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge.
Contact: Cinthya.mejia@hospitalescuela.edu.hn
Katia Limy López
Epidemiologist
Katia is a microbiologist from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). She completed a Master’s degree in Epidemiology with an emphasis on Implementation Research at the University of Antioquia, Colombia. She currently works as an Epidemiologist for the research data center of The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge.
Contact: katialm0601@gmail.com
Jorge A. García
Treasurer, Instituto Antonio Vidal
Jorge is a clinical microbiologist with a Master’s degree in Epidemiology. He works in the Parasitology Service of the Clinical Laboratory Department at Hospital Escuela in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Currently, he serves as a Board Member of the Antonio Vidal Institute for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IAV) as Treasurer. He is also the President of the Honduran Parasitology Association (AHPA). His work includes parasitological diagnosis, teaching, and research, integrating activities across all three institutions. Jorge also advises theses in the Master’s Program in Epidemiology at UNAH.
Contact: garciaguilarjorge@gmail.com
Karla Rivera
Administrator, Instituto Antonio Vidal
Karla is the Administrator of the Antonio Vidal Institute. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Project Management, with over 15 years of experience in the administration, management, supervision, coordination, and execution of education and health sector projects funded by national and international cooperation agencies. She is certified in SCRUM Fundamentals and is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Contact: karlariverad@gmail.com
Claudia Garay
Administrative Assistant
Claudia is the Administrative Assistant for The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (TGHN LAC) project. She has a background in administrative sciences with experience in administrative processes, methodology compliance analysis and review, financial and credit education for clients, audits of governmental entities, data entry from materials delivery records into specialized platforms, online (e-learning) education for business development, and coaching for work teams to strengthen improvement opportunities.
Contact: cfabigaray@gmail.com
Jose Roberto Andino
Research Assistant (SAI Group)
Jose Roberto is a general physician from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). He holds a Master's degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the European University of Madrid (UEM) and is currently completing a Master's in Scientific Research Methodology at the Evangelical University of El Salvador (UEES). He works as a research assistant for the SAI Group (Comprehensive Health Care Service, Infectious Diseases Service) of the Internal Medicine Department at Hospital Escuela within The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge.
Contact: jose.andino@hospitalescuela.edu.hn
Mónica Fernanda Medina
Research Assistant (Endocrinology Service Group)
Mónica is a general physician from the National Autonomous University of Honduras (UNAH). She currently serves as a Research Assistant for the Institutional Operations Unit (UOI), the international cooperation group at Hospital Escuela, associated with the Endocrinology Service, as part of The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge. She combines clinical care, teaching, and research activities alongside health professionals and students.
Contact: monica.medina@hospitalescuela.edu.hn
Project Manager Assistant
Alison holds a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She currently works as a rotational nurse in the Neurosurgery Department at Hospital Escuela. She also serves as an evening site research assistant for The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project: Creating Equity in Health Research by Connecting Excellence and Sharing Knowledge.
Contact: alisonortez09@gmail.com
Liliam García
Data Monitor
Liliam is a nursing assistant working at CIS Alonso Suazo, Tegucigalpa, providing direct patient care. She has worked as a nursing assistant in the ZIPH and CHAGAS projects at the Antonio Vidal Institute (IAV) and currently serves as a Data Monitor for The Global Health Network project.
Contact: elviagarcia200@hotmail.com
Sendy Vanessa Cáceres Elvir
Data Monitor
Sendy is a nursing assistant working at CIS Dr. Alonso Suazo, providing direct patient care. She currently participates in the ZIPH-2 project and serves as a Data Monitor for The Global Health Network.
Contact: elvirzendy@gmail.com
David Antonio Martínez
Data Monitor
David is a Laboratory Assistant currently assigned to the Clinical Laboratory Department, Parasitology Service, at Hospital Escuela. He works as a data monitor for The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) project during the evening shift.
Contact: davidmartinez.damnmn@gmail.com
Bryain F. Maradiaga Mendoza
Communications Assistant
Bryain Maradiaga-Mendoza is a general physician graduated from the Faculty of Medical Sciences at UNAH. His passion for global health and research led him to serve as the Regional Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean for the Artificial Intelligence for Global Health project at The Global Health Network, University of Oxford. Bryain also serves as a highly skilled and assertive research assistant at the Antonio Vidal Institute for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IAV), where he collaborates in communications for TGHN-LAC Honduras projects. He is currently certified as a physician in the United States and is preparing to pursue a residency in Internal Medicine. He is committed to expanding his horizons, enhancing his skills for comprehensive medical practice, and advocating for global health.
Contact: bryain.maradiagamendoza@ndm.ox.ac.uk