Azucena Ramos

About Azucena Ramos

Dr. Azucena (Susy) Ramos is a dedicated physician-scientist with a commitment to both patient care and groundbreaking research. Born to immigrant parents, Azucena spent formative years in El Organo, a small pueblo in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Her grandmother, a stabilizing force in her life and a committed caregiver, provided her with the nurturing environment needed to foster her passion for exploring the natural world. It was in this environment that Azucena’s early fascination with science began to shape her future in medicine. Inspired by the healthcare challenges faced by her community, Azucena pursued higher education at Smith College, where she discovered the vast possibilities of a career in science and medicine.

Azucena furthered her education through the MD/PhD program at Harvard Medical School and MIT. Her research in Dr. Michael Hemann’s group at MIT focused on identifying key metabolic genes in acute myeloid leukemia and utilizing CRISPR technologies to explore resistance mechanisms in CAR T cell therapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. These pioneering studies have potential implications for developing synergistic drug combinations to treat aggressive leukemias. Her work has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, Cell, and Nature Communications.

With a unique blend of rigorous scientific training and compassionate patient care, Azucena’s goal is to work at the interface of basic science and medicine, translating complex research into meaningful clinical applications that help patients. Her return to the hospital setting reaffirmed her dedication to oncology, particularly in service to diverse and underserved communities. As a native Spanish speaker and a woman of color, Azucena advocates for patients from marginalized backgrounds, striving to bridge gaps in healthcare access and understanding.

Azucena is now pursuing a residency in internal medicine to further hone her clinical skills and deepen her understanding of various pathologies, preparing her for a future specialization in oncology. She is determined to become a highly visible figure in the oncology field while continuing to serve her community through mentorship and medicine. Azucena’s journey, from a curious child shouldering a deeply impoverished background to an accomplished scientist and compassionate physician, embodies her steadfast dedication to advancing medical knowledge and enhancing patient care. Motivated by her grandmother's passing from pancreatic cancer, Azucena carries a personal commitment to unraveling the complexities of this disease. She eagerly anticipates leveraging her expertise and enthusiasm to propel the field of oncology forward and motivate future generations of medical professionals.