I’m Paola Mina-Osorio, a physician-scientist, biotech executive and advisor, author, and speaker.

I grew up in Ecuador, where my father’s work as a physician helped shape my interest in medicine and science. His journey from poverty to medical school showed me the power of a role model. My mother’s encouragement and support helped me pursue my own path.

That path took me from medical school in Ecuador to scientific training in Mexico and the United States. Spanish is my first language. Building a career across countries meant learning a new language, navigating unfamiliar institutions, and finding my place in new professional settings

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WATCH MY FATHER’S STORY
Learn about my father and the story behind the Mina name, shared in the preface to Hispanic Role Models in Science here.

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My work in science and biotechnology

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I hold an MD and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences focused on immunology. I completed postdoctoral research fellowships at UConn Health and the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in New York.

My career spans academic research, drug development, Medical Affairs, and executive leadership in pharmaceutical and biotech companies. Much of my work has focused on treatments for autoimmune and other immune-mediated diseases.

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I have also experienced what it means to be the only Latina in the room and to have my expertise questioned. Those experiences inform how I think about leadership, opportunity, and whose perspectives are heard.

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Why I write, speak, and mentor

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A student I met online once shared that her school counselor had told her she was “not college material.” Her experience became one of the inspirations for ¡Un Doctor, Por Favor! and my work supporting aspiring physicians and scientists.

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My books explore different parts of that mission:

• ¡Un Doctor, Por Favor! examines Hispanic education, representation in medicine, and the importance of culture and language in healthcare.

• Hispanic Role Models in Science shares scientists’ journeys and practical lessons about purpose, mentorship, persistence, and giving back.

• Aurora La Doctora helps children imagine a future in medicine through a story of curiosity, perseverance, and compassion.

 

In my newsletter, Latinos in STEMM Rising, I examine research and question assumptions about Latino health, education, and leadership. I explore how evidence is interpreted, how opportunities are distributed, and what institutions can do differently.

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Through speaking and mentorship, I help people see possibilities in medicine and science—and encourage leaders to create opportunities for others.

 

Learn about my career on my LinkedIn page.

Explore my scientific publications on PubMed.

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