Dra. Katia Abarca
Adjunct Investigator
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Dr. Katia Abarca is a Physician from the Universidad de Chile and Full Professor at the Division of Pediatrics of the School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She also completed a Master’s degree in Applied Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in London, United Kingdom. She is also the Director of the Specialized Unit of Pediatrics of the same university. Dr. Abarca obtained her medical degree from the University of Chile. Dr. Abarca is a member of the Chilean Society of Infectious Diseases and the National Committee for the documentation and verification of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome. She has published numerous scientific reports in the field of pediatrics and has also actively contributed to the training of postgraduate researchers in this field. Dr. Abarca has participated in numerous clinical studies, including Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials. Her current research focuses on emerging infectious diseases, pediatrics, vaccines and zoonoses, contributing to the study of clinical manifestations and epidemiological aspects of infections by microorganisms, such as Bartonella henselae. She is a pioneer in Chile in the description of various infectious agents, such as Anaplasma platys, Ehrlichia canis, Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia andenae, among others. As a member of the Latin American Network for the control and investigation of Rickettsial diseases (RIICER), her focus has been on promoting the study of Rickettsia and raising awareness on its links with diseases in the region.