Dr. Melina Flórez Cuadros is a veterinarian with a Master’s in Veterinary Sciences and a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research spans medical and veterinary entomology, insect population dynamics, molecular genetics, and the development of animal models for vaccine research, particularly for malaria. Her commitment to science-society-policy interfaces is evident in her leadership in science diplomacy and advisory roles. She currently serves as co-lead of the Science Advice Working Group of the Global Young Academy and is a member of the Executive Committee of OWSD-Colombia, where she promotes evidence-informed policy and gender equity in science. She is a lecturer at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and co-leads the Gremio Doctoral Colombiano efforts on science advice and diplomacy. As a member of the IAP Biosecurity Working Group (2025–2028), she brings expertise in infectious disease research, ethical use of biological materials, and multilateral collaboration to address global biosecurity challenges.