2025–2026 NHLCC Scholar: Kiara Luna

Kiara Luna

MD
University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus

Kiara Sofía Luna Martínez is a third-year medical student at the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where she discovered her passion for medicine and education.

Her research experience includes working in the Developmental and Neurobiology Laboratory at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, under the mentorship of Dr. García-Arrarás, where she studied intestinal cell regeneration using the sea cucumber as an animal model. More recently, under the mentorship of Dr. de Jesús Pérez, she participated in Stanford’s Cardiovascular Institute Summer Research Program, investigating the role of intercellular communication in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This experience strengthened her passion for cardiovascular research and deepened her understanding of the cellular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.

Since her undergraduate years, she has been actively involved in peer-to-peer education, a commitment she continues to uphold in medical school. Working closely with students, many of whom came from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, allowed Kiara to witness firsthand the transformative power of mentorship and access to educational support. These moments taught her that representation, encouragement, and guidance can profoundly impact a student’s confidence and sense of belonging in academia.

Her continued involvement in tutoring has strengthened her commitment to fostering mentorship within the medical community and supporting future students, particularly those from Hispanic backgrounds, in pursuing their goals in science and healthcare. As an NHLCC Scholar, Kiara hopes to further promote the importance of mentorship and integrate her passion for education and cardiovascular research to help address health disparities disproportionately affecting Hispanic communities.