The professor and researcher of the Faculty of Dentistry has consolidated her professional development in the specialty of periodontics, which has allowed her to deepen in various lines of research, teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate courses and to devote herself to her patients in the Clinic of our University.
During her school years, the Dr. Alejandra Chaparro She thought that her vocation was connected to the humanistic or artistic areas. It was in fourth grade when she discovered that she loved the world of biology and decided to study dentistry. "Maybe because I wore braces for many years and listened to my orthodontists speak fondly of their profession, they traveled a lot to be always up to date and could organize their time.", he explains.
He began studying dentistry at the University of Chile and later, at the same institution, he specialized in PeriodonticsThis discipline studies the gums and how to restore health to the tissues that surround and support the teeth. "I loved this specialty from the beginning because it combines basic science concepts with clinical development and surgical skills. In addition, you engage in a long-term relationship with the patient, which allows you to strengthen the bond of friendship with them."says Alejandra.
The teacher - who arrived at the UANDES for about 18 years - she currently serves as Research Director of the School of Dentistry. She also teaches undergraduate, postgraduate and in the Doctorate in Dental Sciences, in addition to conducting research in various projects. "Since I finished my specialty, the area that motivated me the most was to be able to investigate and help understand how gum inflammation - which affects a relevant part of the world's population and of our country - could be related to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases or problems during pregnancy."
Alejandra adds that she has always enjoyed research. "I really liked biology, immunology and genetics, but, in addition, I wanted to take care of patients and be able to help them, giving them back their periodontal health."he says. The main line of research he is currently developing is the association between periodontal disease and other systemic pathologies and, among them, he explains that the one that has borne the most fruit is the relationship between periodontal disease and problems during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, research he is carrying out in conjunction with the Dr. Sebastián Illanes. Together they are also studying different biomarkers - substances that indicate a biological state - that allow early diagnosis or monitoring of different diseases in oral fluids.
Alejandra is married and has three children. "For women it is still complex to make all our activities compatible. In my case, I am quite a perfectionist and I want everything to turn out well and, unfortunately, that is not an easy task and at times it has been very difficult for me to make everything compatible, but nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it and I cannot imagine my life today without all my academic and professional development. In addition, I imagine that my children and husband are grateful to have a mother and wife who is happy and fulfilled in her work, because that is transmitted and radiates"..
This professional development has allowed Alejandra to deploy various lines of research and transmit knowledge to her undergraduate, graduate and continuing education students. "What I like most in the area of research is to contribute, even if it is with a grain of sand, to the generation of knowledge in my discipline and to improve the quality of life of our patients."She comments on her role as a dentist and teacher. "Teaching, for me, is a passion that allows me to be always updated and constantly studying, so that I can deliver the best of myself and the latest knowledge to our students. I also learn from them and that feedback is very challenging and motivating".he concludes.