Nelia Hernandez, MD

Biography

Nelia Hernández (Montevideo, 1969) is a clinical physician who completed gastroenterology training at the University of Uruguay (UDELAR). Her internships at renowned hepatology centers in France and Argentina were responsible for her early decision to dedicate herself exclusively to assisting patients with liver and biliary diseases, obtaining a diploma in hepatology from the Faculty of Medicine of UDELAR. Her academic career began shortly after completing her training, and she has continuously held successive positions that have allowed her to access her current roles as Associate Professor of Gastroenterology at the Hospital de Clinics and Director of the Hepatology Diploma. Clinical research has always been very relevant to her, with particular interest and dedication to drug- or herb-induced liver injury. She is the principal investigator of the Uruguayan Registry of Hepatotoxicity and co-coordinator of the Latin American Registry of Hepatotoxicity, co-authoring multiple publications related to this pathology. Nelia's research has been published in leading scientific journals and garnered widespread academic recognition. She has also actively participated in international conferences and workshops, where she shares her expertise and collaborates with other researchers to stimulate collaborative initiatives. She actively engages with public health stakeholders and policymakers to promote adopting policies and warnings that protect patients. Her teaching vocation and love for hepatology have led her to participate in multiple national and international collaborative projects, such as LATINDILI Network, and hold positions that allow her to collaborate in the dissemination and teaching of the specialty not only in her country. She is the current President-Elect of the Latin American Association for the Study of the Liver.