Born in Perú Dr Valdez began her research under Dr Gilman’s supervision (John’s Hopkins and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru), Dr Valdez led a research team investigating the molecular epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known as inducer of gastric ulcers and cancer
She then completed her MSc with Dr Townsend at the Biomedical Research Centre at UBC in Vancouver studying fundamental question on how T and B cells communicate to produce an effective immune response.
She did her doctoral studies in Dr Finlay’s lab and revealed novel concepts of innate responses to the pathogen Salmonella, with important implications for human infectious diseases, infectious colitis, IBD and intestinal fibrosis.
After 5 years of post-doctoral work in many institutes in UBC she joined StemCell Technologies Inc. leading a team in Innate Immunology.
She returned to academia and managed the Research Office at the UBC Faculty of Medicine.
Currently, she is an invited lecturer in many Universities in South America
She volunteers for Immunology Without Borders, chapter of the International Union of Immunological Societies, Covid19 Resources Canada, BC Lead, Founder of @ImmunoLatinXs. She is a champion of Equity,Diversity, Inclusion and Women in STEM initiatives in Canada/Globally, and as a member of the Board of Directors of The Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis Foundation.
She is proud mother of two.