At the NIHR Global Health Research Centre LatAm, we firmly believe that research is as diverse and valuable as the people who make it possible. That’s why we’ve launched a series of posts to introduce our team of Early Career Researchers — professionals taking their first steps in the world of scientific research. Most are currently pursuing postgraduate studies — such as master’s degrees or PhDs — or have recently completed them.
Today, we speak with one of our early career researchers, Dailyn Carla Llanos Agno, from Bolivia, who shares her experience at the LatAm Centre and her academic journey in the field of bioethics.
What is your role within the LatAm Centre?
I’m currently supporting the mapping group focused on artistic and cultural resources related to health. I’m also working on my master’s thesis, which aligns with the Centre’s goals.
What postgraduate programme are you studying, and what inspired you to pursue this field?
I’m in the third semester of the Master’s in Bioethics at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.
What inspired me most to pursue this field was its multidisciplinary nature. Bioethics allows for the integration of different kinds of knowledge and perspectives to find solutions to the ethical challenges we face, particularly in health-related contexts.
What has been the biggest challenge in your academic journey so far?
The biggest challenge has been the shift in approach. I come from a healthcare background, where the work is mainly procedural, whereas bioethics demands constant analysis, reflection, and questioning. Adapting to that shift has been challenging, but also very rewarding.
What key skill have you developed during this time?
I’ve developed the ability to adapt to different ethical and cultural contexts. This skill has been essential for analysing, with sensitivity and depth, the dilemmas that arise in research involving vulnerable populations.
What is the topic of your thesis or dissertation?
My thesis seeks to answer the question: What ethical aspects have been reported in biomedical research involving Indigenous communities in Latin America?
It’s a topic that receives little attention but is essential for ensuring research is respectful, fair, and culturally sensitive.
Where do you see yourself in five years with your research?
I see myself presenting my findings at conferences and contributing to biomedical research with Indigenous communities that avoids causing them harm. I would also like to start a PhD and work with an NGO that promotes intercultural health and research ethics.