Advancing Care at UH Rainbow

Growing up in Mexico, Yamilet Huerta never imagined that one day she would be conducting innovative pediatric cancer research in Cleveland, Ohio. But having won a prestigious grant from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation earlier this year, she finds herself doing just that.

"I came to the United States eight years ago because this country has the best hospitals in the world," said Dr. Huerta, who completed her residency at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami before accepting a fellowship at University Hospitals. "It was the best decision I ever made."

Working in the lab of Alex Y. Huang, MD, PhD, Theresia G.& Stuart F. Kline Family Foundation Chair in Pediatric Oncology and Director, Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Program at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, Dr. Huerta discovered her passion. "I absolutely fell in love with research," she laughed. "I enjoy seeing patients, but I think that I could work quietly in the lab forever and never get bored. The constant trouble-shooting and analytic thinking has me hooked."

Dr. Huerta is one of just seven fellows in the country awarded grant support from the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in 2018. Her research explores the use of immunotherapy to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the second most common leukemia in children.

"In Mexico, there is little research being done," she explained. "I had limited lab experience so they had to train me basically from zero. To go from that to winning this grant in just three years speaks to the amazing mentorship and education UH provides its fellows."

After her research year, Dr. Huerta does not know where she will practice, but she is confident she acquired the tools to succeed. "My experience at UH has surpassed all my expectations and prepared me to be both a clinician and a scientist,” she said. "Without a doubt, this fellowship has been the greatest opportunity of my life."