Latin American Microscopists – Cuba

Cuban topography plays a critical role in its success as a highly diverse biological ecosystem. The country boasts myriad flora and fauna, which are endemic to the nation, such as the Cuban trogon and the Monte Iberia eleuth, the smallest frog in the northern hemisphere. Yet, one of Cuba’s biggest biological accomplishments is their exportation of highly advanced scientists. One such instance of this is Lisandra Vila Ellis, a Cuban born microscopist, who studies the role of a newly discovered endothelial cell population in the lungs, and their relevance to gas diffusion and lung health and disease at Northwestern University, USA. While Lisandra did not study in Cuba, this blog details the importance that growing up in Ecuador and Mexico had on her. Furthermore, we hear Lisandra’s inspiring story of how she overcame adversity, such as not being given the same opportunity as her male counterparts and her own qualms regarding using her background advantageously, in the field of microscopy.