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Celebrating Cinco de Mayo and 5 Mexican Women Dedicated to Science and Medicine

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we're celebrating five Mexican women who have dedicated their lives to science and medicine!


Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of Mexico's unexpected victory over the French Army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862. The conflict began after the then-president of Mexico, Benito Juárez, suspended foreign debt payments, and Napoleon III sent his army to invade Mexico.


While the victory initially galvanized the Mexican people, it was short-lived, and it wasn't until 1867 that Mexico finally expelled the French invaders and retook control of the country.


In Spanish, Cinco de Mayo literally means 'May 5th', which is the date it's celebrated yearly, mainly North of the US border and the town and region of Puebla, Mexico.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we're celebrating five Mexican women who have dedicated their lives to science and medicine!


5 Mexican Women Dedicated to Science and Medicine


1. Janet Gutiérrez

Janet Gutierrez

Because of her work in biotechnology, biology, ecology, and sustainable development, Janet's work won her the 2020 Research Award from the Mexican Academy of Sciences. Currently, Janet is the director of the Regional Department of Bioengineering and Sciences for the Southern Region and leads research into food properties that could assist in fighting diseases such as cancer.