"She is a very hard-working, persistent and enthusiastic woman. She is always trying to innovate in her area, publish articles, and grow professionally. It has motivated me to be a woman of science, to work tirelessly for what I want. Not only is she a great researcher and leader, but she is also a very warm, understanding, caring and sharing person. For me she deserves this recognition and all those who praise her work for years and all who come. It is an honor to be able to be in your work team and to form this little family in the laboratory."

Paulina Ovalle, Laboratorio de Neurobioquimica y Conducta, Instituto Nacional de Neurologia y Neurocirugia, México

"Dr. Veronica Perez de la Cruz is a very talented woman as well as a brilliant scientist who works with several Neurotoxic models focusing on how the tryptophan catabolism impacts in such disorders.

Veronica is a leader of her laboratory crew, producing a great environment for scientific research conducing to the production of studies important for the better understanding of the kynurenine pathway on neuroscience. Veronica is one of those scientists that works to support."

Gustavo Ignacio Vázquez Cervantes, Laboratory of Neurobiochemistry and Behavior, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, México

"Dr. Perez accepted me into her research laboratory and her influence contributed to my pursuit of an academic career. A bright young woman like her is an inspiration for young people, who like me, are on the way of a science career. In addition, she is a top-level researcher and one of the highest-level national researchers in the entire country."

Eduardo Ferreriz Duarte, Evolutionary Biology Department, Faculty of Science, National Autonomous University of Mexico, México

"Dr. Verónica is a very kind and nice person who cares about others, she has been an inspiration in my life, I have learned from her work and it's very interesting. I think her work is amazing, it could help a lot of people in the area of neurological illnesses."

Rodrigo García, Neurobiochemistry and Behavior, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, México

"She inspires women like me to study science and women like her, allows me to believe that Mexican women can succeed in science."

Camila Elizalde, Bioquímica y conducta, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, México

"Dr. Verónica has helped me develop my skills and strengthen my weaknesses in the laboratory, as well as growing my strengths in the professional field. She offers her unconditional support, personally supporting my professional growth. So she's my lab hero."

Daniela Ramírez, Neurobiochemistry and Behavioral Laboratory, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico

"Dr. Pérez de la Cruz received her bachelor’s degree in pharmaceutical biological chemistry as well as her Master and Ph.D. in biological sciences from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico and Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, respectively. Her postdoctoral fellow with Dr. Robert Schwarcz was in the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore.

She has been a researcher at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico since 2007. Her early research focused on molecular and cellular mechanisms of kynurenine pathway (KP) metabolites. She identified new routes of kynurenic acid (KYNA, endogenous antagonist of NMDA receptor) production. She has shown the redox activity of tryptophan metabolites, which participate in physiological and pathological processes. Additionally, she demonstrated that KYNA is involved in the cognitive impairment induced by lead (Pb) exposure during lactation. Also, she showed that N-acetylcysteine can diminish cognitive impairment through the inhibition of the KYNA canonical pathway production. More recently, Dr. Perez de la Cruz turned her attention to aging biomarkers related with cognitive decline in Mexican women, showing that several metabolites of KP are substantively associated with the grade of cognitive decline suggesting that these could be considered as biomarkers. Moreover, Dr. Perez de la Cruz demonstrated that kynurenine monooxygenase (KMO), an enzyme of KP, is expressed in active glioma cells, which represents a novel phenotypic characteristic that make them different from normal astrocytes (do not express KMO), suggesting that KMO is a relevant target to be explored in glioma. She and her colleagues are currently expanding or building this concept to develop biomarkers and pharmacological treatments to prevent cognitive impairment.

Dr. Perez de la Cruz has published more than 70 international papers, she has more than 5000 citations and a h-index 25. Dr. Perez de la Cruz has obtained international and national research support, and she has received many awards, the most recently are: First edition of the award for Women in biological science and health “Matilde Montoya” 2021. The award was given for the government of Mexico City, Neolpharma and the minister of Education, science, technology and innovation. The award recognizes young Mexican women working in science with the purpose of solving Mexico City problems. Additionally, in 2021 she received the highest distinction awarded by the Mexican Academy of Sciences for young Mexican scientists under 40 years age."

Benjamin Pineda, Neuroimmunology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico

Nomination Category: Lab Leader

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Who's your Lab Hero?

This is your chance to give back to the scientists who make – or who have made – a positive difference to your life, career, and workplace. That might be putting in extra effort in the lab, supporting their colleagues in difficult times, producing incredible results through their work, or making the lab a better place for everyone...

NOMINATE YOUR LAB HERO NOW!

Nominations close 8th December 2021. T&Cs apply.