Advancing viral diagnostics and vaccine efficacy.

During the global pandemic, Ríos-Monteza was part of the foundational team that first isolated and characterized the prototype strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Peru. This work was essential for understanding how the virus entered the region and how it mutated over time.

Championing fair trade and indigenous economic rights.

Her research also extends to monitoring antibody responses. She co-authored studies evaluating how IgG antibodies—the proteins the body creates to fight infection—decreased after vaccination, which helped health experts decide when booster doses were necessary. 2. Pamela Rios: Leadership in Fair Trade and Social Capital

Through her academic contributions, she has helped refine the understanding of how specialized eye surgeries can best be managed to preserve or improve the quality of life for patients with degenerative eye diseases. Summary of Impact

She has contributed to the standardization and validation of molecular tests, such as the RT-LAMP test, which provided a faster, more affordable alternative to traditional RT-qPCR for detecting COVID-19 in resource-limited settings.

Beyond the lab, is a name synonymous with social entrepreneurship in South America, specifically through her leadership at the Chol-Chol Foundation .