Meet the guests and invited participants joining AIGEN 2026.
AIGEN 2026
Speakers
Profiles of speakers, panelists, and guests participating in AIGEN 2026.
Guests
Speakers and profiles
Keynotes
Keynote 2 | July 23Lilian Jara Sosa
Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile · Institute of Biomedical Sciences
Lilian Jara Sosa is Full Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile and a member of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences. Her academic and scientific career has focused on molecular biology and cancer genetics, with special emphasis on breast cancer genetics, the identification of susceptibility variants, and the functional validation of genomic alterations linked to carcinogenesis. She has also contributed to training new generations of researchers through graduate programs in genetics and biomedical sciences. Her work has been key to strengthening cancer genomics research in Chile and advancing the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying different tumor subtypes.
Keynote 1 | July 23Lynnette Fernandez-Cuesta
Computational Cancer Genomics, IARC-WHO
Lynnette Fernandez-Cuesta has more than 15 years of experience in thoracic cancer genomics. During her postdoctoral training at the Max Planck Institute and the Department of Translational Genomics in Cologne, Germany, she led the genomic characterization of pulmonary neuroendocrine neoplasms, identifying major molecular drivers in small-cell lung cancer, large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and pulmonary carcinoids. She also led the discovery of recurrent NRG1 fusions in lung adenocarcinomas from never-smokers. As a principal investigator at IARC-WHO, she advanced the Rare Cancers Genomics initiative, which led to important molecular insights in thoracic tumors through projects such as lungNENomics and MESOMICS. Among her most notable contributions is the description of the so-called supra-carcinoids. She currently co-leads the Computational Cancer Genomics team at IARC-WHO together with Matthieu Foll.
Keynote 2 | July 22Steffen HĂ€rtel
Integrative Biology Program, ICBM · University of Chile
Steffen HĂ€rtel is a Full Professor in the Integrative Biology Program at the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile. His career combines training in physics with a well-established trajectory in image processing, medical informatics, and health informatics, fields in which he has contributed through both research and the training of advanced human capital. He has also held academic leadership roles such as academic director of the Center for Medical Informatics and Telemedicine (CIMT) and coordinator of medical informatics training programs developed by the University of Chile in international collaboration. His work has focused on the development and integration of computational tools for biomedical analysis, digital transformation in health, and the articulation between computer science, medicine, and innovation.
Talks
Talk 1 | July 23Eduardo PĂ©rez-Palma
ICIM, Universidad del Desarrollo
Eduardo PĂ©rez-Palma is an associate research professor at ICIM, Universidad del Desarrollo. His work focuses on the genetics of epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders, developing tools for variant interpretation and their application in precision medicine. With research experience in Chile, Germany, and the United States, he has contributed to important advances in human genomics and bioinformatics applied to neurological diseases.
Talk 2 | July 22Gabriel NĂșñez-Vivanco
University of Aysén
Gabriel NĂșñez-Vivanco is a faculty member at the University of AysĂ©n whose work integrates bioinformatics, computational biology, and modeling applied to biological systems. His trajectory combines research, teaching, and institutional development, bringing an interdisciplinary perspective on the use of computational tools to address questions in biology and health. In addition to his academic work, he has contributed to strengthening university capabilities and regional engagement, offering a particularly valuable perspective on the role of data science and computing in territorial scientific development.
Talk 3 | July 22Gloria HenrĂquez
Center for Mathematical Modeling · University of Chile
Gloria HenrĂquez is an associate researcher at the Center for Mathematical Modeling at the University of Chile and a specialist in digital health, modeling, and artificial intelligence applied to public health. Her work integrates medicine, epidemiology, and engineering to develop data-driven solutions aimed at improving decision-making and innovation in health systems.
Talk 1 | July 22Javier Quezada MarĂn
Austral Pathology Institute
Javier Quezada MarĂn is an anatomic pathologist with experience in molecular pathology, digital pathology, and artificial intelligence applied to diagnosis. His work has focused on advancing the adoption of new technologies to improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize laboratory workflows, and expand access to specialized diagnosis through telepathology and collaboration networks in Latin America. He is currently linked to the Austral Pathology Institute, where he has promoted the integration of digital scanning, telepathology, and artificial intelligence into diagnostic practice, with a special interest in translating these innovations into concrete gains in productivity, turnaround time, and cancer patient care. His vision combines technological innovation, practical implementation, and a strong focus on real clinical impact.
Talk 2 | July 23Tamara PĂ©rez Jeldres
Pontifical Catholic University of Chile · San Borja Arriarån Hospital · University of Birmingham
Tamara PĂ©rez Jeldres is a gastroenterologist specializing in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at the Department of Gastroenterology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile and the Chilean-Japanese Institute of Digestive Diseases (INCHIJAP) at San Borja ArriarĂĄn Hospital. She completed a clinical IBD fellowship at Hospital ClĂnic de Barcelona and a translational IBD research fellowship at the University of California San Diego and the La Jolla Institute for Immunology. She is currently pursuing an MSc in Bioinformatics at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on the interaction between genetics, microbiota, and environmental factors in IBD.
Talk 3 | July 23Valentina Parra Ortiz
University of Chile · ACCDiS · Systemix, University of OâHiggins
Valentina Parra Ortiz holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Chile and completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Chile, an Associate Researcher at ACCDiS, and an Associate Researcher at Systemix, University of OâHiggins. Her research focuses on mitochondrial metabolism, cellular differentiation, and molecular mechanisms associated with cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases, integrating cellular models, systems biology, and genomic analyses. She has received major distinctions, including the LâOrĂ©al-UNESCO For Women in Science Award, the Hermann Niemeyer Medal, and the Adelina GutiĂ©rrez Award from the Chilean Academy of Sciences. Since 2025, she has served as Vice President of the Chilean Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Panel discussion
Panel discussion | July 22Alejandro Maass
Center for Mathematical Modeling · University of Chile
Alejandro Maass is a Full Professor at the University of Chile and principal investigator at the Center for Mathematical Modeling (CMM). A leading figure in probability, ergodic theory, and interdisciplinary modeling, he received the 2025 National Prize for Exact Sciences, Chile's highest state recognition for scientific achievement in his field.
Flash talks
Selected flash talks
Researchers and emerging teams
A series of short presentations to share pilots, preliminary results, and collaborative projects.
Posters
Poster session
Students, researchers, and professionals
A space dedicated to applied research, regional case studies, and new lines of work in AI and genomics.
Moderation
Scientific moderation
Organizing committee
Team responsible for guiding discussions, articulating questions, and facilitating dialogue across disciplines.