Belkys C. Sánchez Martínez, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M.S., serves as the associate director of the diagnostic microbiology laboratory at Houston Methodist Hospital. Her research is dedicated to advancing clinical microbiology through the development, evaluation and implementation of innovative diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases. She is passionate about teaching microbiology, mentoring trainees and discussing challenging clinical cases. In her free time, she enjoys long-distance running and escaping to the beach during the warm Texas summers.