Luis Baez: Fueled by Compassion and Public Health

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Luis Baez learned about true compassion from his Puerto Rican grandfather, who fought for Latino social justice all the way to the White House.

He also got interested in science and math at an early age.

So it’s no surprise that Baez, a native of Glendale, Wisc., is putting both his childhood interests and his compassionate nature together to study how to improve public health.

He is currently a master’s-degree student in public health, specializing in epidemiology, at Loyola University Chicago. He is studying biostatistics in hopes of finding new ways to reduce cancer and HIV and improve the health of Latino and all people.

To further his training and education, Baez applied for the Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. The program, led by Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez at UT Health San Antonio with support from the National Cancer Institute, recruits 25 master’s-level students and professionals each year for a five-day summer institute to promote doctoral degrees and careers in Latino cancer.

“The [Éxito!] summer institute has given me the motivation to pursue a career in the field I love, public health,” Baez said. “There are many things that I had no idea about, but now know, because of the [Éxito!] summer institute.”

Editor’s Note: This is the story of a graduate of the 2017 Èxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training program. Apply now for 2018.