Two Yale faculty named among most inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists

Daniel Colón-Ramos and Enrique De La Cruz have been named as two of the 100 most inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America by Cell Mentor.

Yale’s Daniel Colón-Ramos and Enrique De La Cruz have been named as two of the 100 most inspiring Hispanic/Latinx scientists in America by Cell Mentor, an online professional resource for scientists created by Cell Press.

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a committee of scientific advisors selected recipients based on their scholarly achievements, mentoring excellence, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Both Colón-Ramos and De La Cruz have built highly successful laboratories that investigate some of most intriguing questions in biology.

Daniel Colón-Ramos
Daniel Colón-Ramos

Colón-Ramos, Dorys McConnell Duberg Professor of Neuroscience and Cell Biology and a native of Puerto Rico, studies how brain synapses are formed and maintained to control behavior and store memories.

Colón-Ramos was the recipient of the 2018 National Institutes of Health Pioneer Award, the 2018 Landis Award for Outstanding Mentorship from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the American Association for the Advancement of Science Early Career Award, and the Sloan Research Fellowship. 

Enrique De La Cruz
Enrique De La Cruz

De La Cruz, a first generation Cuban-American and professor and chair of molecular biophysics and biochemistry, studies proteins involved in cell movement, the transport of molecules within cells, and the folding and function of RNA.

He has received numerous awards including the National Science Foundation Career Award and the Emily M. Gray Teaching Award from the Biophysical Society for “promotion of diversity in science and education and tireless efforts as an inspiring ambassador of biophysics.”

De la Cruz is also head of Yale’s Branford College.

In announcing the awards, Cell Mentor wrote: “Our aim in assembling these names is to put an end to the harmful myth that there are not enough diverse scientists to give seminars, serve as panelists, or fill scientific positions. We highlight scientists encompassing careers within academia, government, and biotech and showcase individuals committed to serving diverse student populations at Hispanic-serving institutions.”

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Bess Connolly : elizabeth.connolly@yale.edu,