Mirelys Puerta-Díaz

Biography and Expertise of Mirelys Puerta-Díaz

Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz stands at the nexus of information science and public health, applying advanced computational methods to analyze and interpret the flow of health information. Her role as a Senior Information Analyst at BIREME/PAHO/WHO places her at the forefront of efforts to organize and democratize access to scientific knowledge across the Americas. This position leverages her deep expertise in bibliometrics, scientometrics, and social media analysis to support evidence-informed policymaking.

Her work directly aligns with the 3rd WCTCIM’s Thematic Axis, “Contributions of TCIM to Global Public Health (Evidence-Based).” Dr. Puerta-Díaz develops methodologies that are crucial for mapping the vast body of scientific literature on TCIM, identifying research trends, and highlighting areas where evidence is strong. Therefore, her contributions are vital for fulfilling the principles of the Gujarat Declaration, which emphasizes the need for a robust scientific foundation for traditional medicine. Her South-South collaboration perspective, rooted in her experiences in Cuba, Brazil, and Spain, enriches the congress’s motto of “Knowledge Diversity.”

Furthermore, the expertise of Mirelys Puerta-Díaz in sentiment analysis provides powerful tools to understand public perception and discourse surrounding TCIM. By analyzing data from platforms like Twitter, she can gauge public trust, identify misinformation, and inform communication strategies for health organizations. This capacity is indispensable for the successful implementation of the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025-2034, which requires not only scientific evidence but also social acceptance and integration.

Professional Career

The professional trajectory of Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz demonstrates a consistent progression from foundational academic roles to a position of significant influence within a major international health organization. Her career began in academia, where she built a strong foundation in teaching and research, and has since evolved to focus on the practical application of information science to solve pressing global health challenges. This path reflects a commitment to transforming data into actionable intelligence.

Each role has progressively expanded her expertise, from coordinating university research groups to managing complex information products at a continental level. Consequently, her experience embodies the critical link between academic research and its real-world impact on public health information systems.

• 2024 – Present: Senior Information Analyst at the Latin American and Caribbean Center on Health Sciences Information – BIREME/PAHO/WHO, where she applies data analysis and scientometric techniques to health information projects.
• 2023 – 2024: Postdoctoral Fellow at São Paulo State University (UNESP), supported by a CAPES-PrINT scholarship, where she advanced her research into information science and data mining.
• 2012 – 2019: Assistant Professor at the University of Havana, contributing to the education of new information professionals and coordinating research initiatives in information visualization.

Academic Qualifications

Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz‘s academic background is marked by its international scope and interdisciplinary depth, providing her with a unique and comprehensive perspective on information science. Her educational journey spans prestigious institutions in Cuba, Brazil, and Spain, reflecting a commitment to global scholarship and collaboration. This diverse training has equipped her with a versatile toolkit for tackling complex research questions.

Her rigorous doctoral and postdoctoral training, supported by competitive scholarships, has solidified her expertise in advanced data analysis methodologies. Beyond technical skills, this path has cultivated a nuanced understanding of how information shapes science and society.

• 2019 – 2022: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Information Science from São Paulo State University (UNESP), Brazil, with a dissertation focused on applying data mining for sentiment analysis of Twitter data related to open science.
• 2021: Visiting Researcher at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, an experience funded by a prestigious Fundación Carolina scholarship that broadened her international research network.
• 2018: Master’s Degree in Information Science from the University of Havana, Cuba, where she deepened her foundational knowledge in the field.
• 2012: Bachelor’s Degree in Information Science from the University of Havana, Cuba, which launched her academic and professional career.

Research and Publications

The research portfolio of Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz is centered on the critical intersection of information science, computational techniques, and their social applications. Her work consistently explores how modern data analysis can illuminate scientific trends and public discourse. She specializes in using bibliometrics, scientometrics, and altmetrics to map scientific production, allowing for a quantitative understanding of research landscapes. This is particularly relevant for assessing the evidence base of emerging fields like TCIM.

A key theme in her work is the analysis of social media as a source of public sentiment and social mobilization data. Her doctoral thesis, which focused on sentiment analysis of Twitter data, showcases her ability to extract meaningful insights from large, unstructured datasets. Furthermore, her publications, such as the analysis of the “#PLdoVeneno” social media campaign in Brazil, demonstrate a keen ability to connect data analysis to issues of social justice and public health advocacy. This research provides a model for how information science can be used to monitor and counter misinformation.

This focus on evidence mapping is crucial for the 3rd WCTCIM. The methodologies that Mirelys Puerta-Díaz employs can be directly applied to the vast and diverse body of TCIM literature to identify key research clusters, influential authors, and knowledge gaps. Therefore, her work provides the tools necessary to build the evidence-informed frameworks that the WHO and other global health bodies require for the effective integration of TCIM into healthcare systems.

Awards and Recognitions

Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz‘s academic and research excellence has been consistently recognized by prominent national and international institutions. These awards and scholarships not only highlight her individual achievements but also validate the importance and quality of her research in the competitive field of information science. They reflect a career defined by intellectual rigor and a commitment to advancing knowledge.

These honors have been instrumental in supporting her international education and research, enabling collaborations across continents. Consequently, they underscore her standing as a respected scholar within the global academic community.

• 2020 – 2021: Fundación Carolina Scholarship: A highly competitive award from the Spanish government that funded her research stay at the Complutense University of Madrid, fostering international academic ties.
• 2019: 2nd Marcelo Dascal Award in Cognitive Science: Presented by the Brazilian Society of Cognitive Science, this award recognized the innovative quality of her research at the intersection of information and cognitive sciences.
• CAPES-PrINT Scholarship: A prestigious postdoctoral fellowship from Brazil’s Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) supporting high-level international research projects.
• CAPES Scholarship: A full scholarship from CAPES that supported her doctoral studies at UNESP, awarded based on academic merit.

Leadership and Professional Activities

Beyond her research, Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz has demonstrated leadership in both academic and professional settings. Her activities reflect a commitment to building research capacity and effectively managing complex information projects. These roles showcase her ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical leadership and tangible outcomes.

Her experience extends from guiding research groups to adopting agile methodologies for project management. This combination of academic and professional leadership makes her a versatile and effective contributor to any collaborative endeavor. Therefore, her skills are directly applicable to the multidisciplinary initiatives central to the global TCIM movement.

• Product Owner (PSPO I): Holds the Professional Scrum Product Owner I certification, demonstrating her proficiency in agile project management frameworks for delivering complex products and information systems.
• Coordinator, Information Visualization Research Group (PROVIS): During her tenure at the University of Havana, she coordinated this research group, guiding its research direction and mentoring junior researchers in the field of data visualization.

Connect with Dr. Puerta-Díaz

To delve deeper into the work of Dr. Mirelys Puerta-Díaz, including her extensive list of publications, professional history, and ongoing projects, please visit her official academic and professional profiles. These resources offer a comprehensive view of her contributions to information science and public health.

LinkedIn Profile: View Professional Profile on LinkedIn

Google Scholar: View Publications on Google Scholar

Lattes Curriculum: View Brazilian Academic CV