Throughout my life, my curiosity and passion for science, and unknowingly, criminology, have led me to pursue a career in forensic genetics. I believe that passion is the only way to approach science, and I have dedicated myself to continuous and rigorous training in the field, overcoming any obstacles that come with starting something new.

I grew up watching Investigation Discovery series, dreaming of being able to solve criminal cases someday. The path didn't seem easy, and undoubtedly it wasn't, but nothing prevented me from achieving my goals because, in addition to my passion for what I do, I am characterized as obstinate and tenacious. The high demands and aspiration for excellence are a way of life for me, not allowing for lack of rigor in the workplace, which enables obtaining results that contribute to justice in an irrevocable and reliable way.

Becoming a mother changed my priorities, but not my goals, which I have been able to sustain with sacrifice despite my reduced free time. Currently, my days are divided between my partner, work in the laboratory, and my ten-year-old son Lucas, with whom I share a love of sports, chocolate, and anchovies. I take great pleasure in accompanying and supporting him in his soccer life as it is the sport he has decided to invest his recreational time in.

Although I am not a morning person, I have managed to incorporate physical exercise into my morning routine, which helps me to relax and balance my energy for the rest of the day.

In my leisure time, I love sharing long walks along the coast of Montevideo (capital of my country) with my partner, talking about life, concerns, and projects. Spending time with my loved ones is essential for me to stay centered. I enjoy a close-knit family with my mother and my three siblings, whom I deeply love.

I decided to study forensic genetics when I was 17, which involved a great risk as I was about to embark on a university career and then try to enter the Scientific Police, the only place in the country dedicated to that subject. This was taken with bewilderment and at the same time with enthusiasm by those around me since it meant something original and innovative.

During my years as a student, I worked in sales, which offered me the possibility to exploit my relationship skills and ascend to become in charge of a world-renowned brand. That place provided me with tools for managing personnel that still benefit me today. Eventually, the day came when I had to choose between my true passion, science, and my other hobby, sales since I couldn't maintain both jobs.

Since I joined the Dirección Nacional de Policía Científica, more than 18 years have passed, and although I was very young, I always had strong support from my different superiors, trusting my ability without hesitating to provide me with academic growth opportunities.

My beginnings in Forensic Science were as an analyst in the Biological Laboratory, and I still remember the excitement and satisfaction that analyzing forensic cases generated in me. Parallel to my work in the laboratory, I obtained my degree and later specialized continuously in the forensic area. Over the years, I became interested in the analysis and interpretation of criminal minds, which led me to Neurophysiology and eventually completing a Master's degree in Neurobiology. This, as a single mother and already at that time as the head of a laboratory, meant many hours of practice, study, and research for three years, culminating in work of which I am proud.

In order to expand my job market, I worked and studied in the field of medical genetics for several years. I am aware that for my age, I have come a long way in the field of criminology. I have been fortunate enough to learn from various international courses offered by the National Police and the University.

In Uruguay, forensic genetics is only developed in the police field, and I have had the privilege of attending its growth and actively participating in its development. Although my entry was in 2005, in 2011, my then-boss and I left the Evidence Laboratory to focus entirely on the creation of a Criminal Genetic Bank for the country. Until that date, although the Biological Laboratory was very efficient in terms of analysis and obtaining genetic profiles, there was a large percentage of cases without resolution due to a lack of suspects.

This meant the greatest motivation to create that Criminal Genetic Bank and thus help justice solve those inconclusive forensic cases. The road was difficult, but we finally managed to vote for the Law for the creation of that bank and thus under-take the new stage of creating what would later be called the "National Registry of Genetic Footprints" Laboratory, which I have been leading since 2016. I enjoy the position and feel natural in it. I have managed to form a solid team of work integrated by other women scientists with whom we administer and manage the country's criminal database.

I am proud to have participated since the birth of this project, which I can say has helped justice in resolving more than 50% of the cases that were inconclusive. Our success rate is comparable to that of the first world, and growth has been exponential.

In mid-2020, I faced one of the biggest personal and professional challenges I´ve ever had. One day, like any other, I was at home watching forensic case programs, as I usually do, until I came across an interview with Argentinian parents whose teenage daughter had been murdered. The young woman had been suffocated, stabbed, and buried on a tourist beach on the coast of my country during her vacation with her godparents. After this interview I was deeply shocked and decided that same day I would do something for that family.

From that particular forensic case, there was a single male genetic profile loaded on CODIS software by the Biological of the Dirección Nacional de Policía Científica. It had been obtained from a bloodstain found at the crime scene, and whose confrontation with our database had not yielded positive results, being a "Cold Case" from 2014. I began to create investigation strategies that initially involved searching for kinship with any male already in the database and thus achieving the culprit. This frustrating process culminated in May 2022 when, after two and a half years, I managed to identify the perpetrator and thus be able to provide some peace to those parents. This fills me with pride and satisfaction given that the investigation process was long, complex, and silent, but finally, I managed to impose myself on the police hierarchies to gain trust in my work in the absence of precedents of this type and without statistics to support my primary hypotheses. On a personal level, the resolution of this case meant not only being awarded by my Unit and the highest hierarchies of the Ministerio del Interior, but also being featured in the press of my country and Argentina for a long time. This has been extremely comforting because of the recognition I have been receiving from people expressing their affection and gratitude. All of this means motivation to develop a project that focuses on long-term case work and is also enhanced by the visibility and interest it brought to the press and authorities.

I believe that working in the police force involves a high degree of social responsibility that not only should we involve ourselves in a cold and objective manner given our scientist character, but we must be aware that behind the families left behind, there is great pain and an urgent plea for justice. Personally, I am a very sensitive person and tragic events affect me deeply, to the point where I cannot just do my job, clock in and go home. I´ve always felt the need and the obligation of doing more for other people and have embodied this throughout my years leading the lab. Currently I am working on a project called "Search for Missing Persons through their Relatives." This was well thought out and came to fruition just before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Since the beginning of this project, many people have been identified and those families were finally able to give some closure to the uncertainty and anguish caused by the absence of their loved ones.

When I started on the path of forensic genetics, I always knew and set out to go far. That has been my driving force. Doors continue to open in unexpected ways, but clearly, it is due to effort, perseverance, and persistence. I will always act in accordance with the values that were instilled in me as a child and that define me as a human being: perfectionist, persevering, responsible, just, strong-willed, and very straightforward. These attributes have brought me quite a few problems throughout my life, but the benefits are greater, so I will continue on the same path.

Post-pandemic, society's view of scientists has changed, as has their appreciation and respect. In the field of genetics, it is not necessary to clarify its value, but it is noteworthy that justice and the police, in my particular case, constantly support training in the area.

It is not insignificant that investigations are now often led and consulted by a scientist, and that those of us who specialize in genetics have become referents. That is where the importance of constant training lies, being able to draw on the knowledge of peers and recognize weaknesses in the search for solutions, the generation of strategies, networks, always aiming to maintain the trust that has been placed in us over these years.

In my particular case, given the role I occupy, I am always interested in pursuing the truth by assisting justice with scientific and consistent tools. That is my ultimate goal, our north, and my passion, without losing a sense of humanity, sensitivity, empathy, and common sense, keeping in mind that the samples we work with are not just codes or numbers; they are people and families.

It was a surprise and a great honor for me to have been chosen to chair the GCLAITH this year. It has always been a pleasure to attend the different annual academic events and has given me the opportunity to exchange with a large number of referents and colleagues. This year, as chair of the event, I set out to address and provide a space for discussion of the different problems that developing countries face, seeking to enable first-tier countries to collaborate with their experiences to enrich exchanges and growth throughout the region. At the same time, I will seek to ensure that we all continue to innovate, grow, and update ourselves as much as possible in this race for knowledge in the forensic field.