Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
Presenter: Sarah Alejandra Calderón Lagos, Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia
Project: Huntington’s Disease as a Biosocial Challenge: Scientific Advances and Barriers to Early Diagnosis and Comprehensive Care in Rural Colombia
Description of the project: This project consists of a structured literature review on Huntington’s disease, a rare inherited neurodegenerative disorder, with the aim of integrating recent scientific advances in its pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches with a social and regional perspective. The project analyzes molecular and cellular mechanisms such as neuroinflammation, glial dysfunction, epigenetic alterations, and dysregulation of autophagy, as well as emerging therapeutic strategies designed to modify disease progression.
A central component of the project is its contextualized approach, which recognizes Huntington’s disease as a biosocial condition in which genetic vulnerability interacts with social determinants of health. In rural regions such as Nariño, Colombia, limited access to genetic testing, scarce local research, and persistent stigma surrounding neuropsychiatric disorders contribute to underdiagnosis and delayed clinical recognition.
As evidence of the academic relevance and feasibility of the project, the author has previously participated in two regional poster presentations. These experiences strengthened skills in critical synthesis of scientific literature, effective communication of complex biomedical concepts, and interdisciplinary academic dialogue. Key lessons learned include the importance of adapting scientific discourse to diverse audiences and the need to integrate biomedical knowledge with social context in order to promote a more comprehensive and human-centered approach to neurodegenerative diseases.
Biography:
My name is Sarah Calderon Lagos.
Medical student with a strong interest in clinical research, neurodegenerative diseases, and health in rural and underserved settings. She has participated in two regional poster presentations, gaining experience in scientific communication and critical appraisal of biomedical literature. Her academic work focuses on integrating biological mechanisms with social determinants of health, with particular emphasis on genetics, neuroscience, and the biosocial impact of rare diseases. She is committed to promoting a comprehensive and human-centered approach to patient care.