Our principal staff share the same values in respect to how the combination of science-based treatment and a human approach with patients is conducive to their healing. We are firm believers of the mind & body connection pursuant to health and wellness as well as of the find and treat the root cause, not just the symptom approach.
Dr. Zahra Figueredo
BSc., NMD, Research and Technical Director, SCHI (Guatemala)
Dr. Zahra Figueredo serves as Research and Technical Director to SCHI.
She holds a Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry and Nutritional Science from the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; a medical degree from the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Ontario, Canada; and has had training in allopathic and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States, Canada, as well as in Europe.
Her eclectic training includes cosmetic and pathological dermatology, aesthetic medicine, and pharmaceutical compounding. Dr. Zahra is not only an outstanding scientist who translates basic research into clinical applications, but also a successful entrepreneur, instructor to various universities and medical schools, as well as has had numerous public speaking engagements.
Her years of extensive experience in Stem Cell Medicine come from being involved in the Research and Development (R and D) of the techniques successfully utilized not only here at SCHI, but also those used at various clinics throughout the world. Dr. Zahra is a member of an elite group trained, licensed, and certified by the International Consortium of Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy (ICCTI).
Dr. Rodrigo Santiago
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Rodrigo Santiago is an Anesthesiologist with over 25 years of experience in public and private healthcare. His expertise spans across Gastroenterology, Plastic Surgery, emergencies, and various other fields.
He treats all patients with the care and attention they deserve, as if they were his first. He is fluent in Spanish, English, and German, ensuring effective communication with all our patients, regardless of their background.
His commitment to excellence and compassionate care drives him to continually improve patient outcomes and uphold the highest standards in Anesthesiology practice.
Dr. Mario Martínez
Traumatologist and Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Mario Martínez is a Traumatologist and Orthopedic Surgeon from USAC who has served in various capacities in Orthopedic & Rehabilitation hospitals in Guatemala.
He has very specific areas of expertise in Bone Marrow stem cells related procedures, principally in extraction procedures as well as in clinical treatment applications in Orthopedics. He has over 15 years of experience in hospitals in the public and private sectors and currently holds roles in Hospital General Management, as Chief of Women’s Surgery Services and Sub-Medical Director in both sectors.
His thoroughness as well as his bedside manner before, during and after Stem Cell treatment deployment are key to patient’s engagement and results.
Dr. Alexis Oliva
Orthopedic Surgeon specialized in Spine
Dr. Alexis Oliva is a Traumatologist and Orthopedic Surgeon from USAC, specialized in Spine. As such, he has broad expertise in Bone Marrow related procedures.
He has over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He has held and currently holds roles in Hospital General Management and Hospital Resources Management and is a founding member of the National Association of Spine Surgery.
His persistence and willingness to exhaust all possibilities in the procedures he performs are critical for the outcome of each of our patients.
Francisco Herrera
SCHI Lab
Francisco holds a BSc in Biology and Chemistry from UVG in Guatemala. His role at SCHI is to facilitate and assist in the process of extracting and isolating stem cells.
He has worked in a diversity of projects based around Genetics including his thesis on the survey of the biodiversity of the tree-frog species Agalychnis Moreletti in Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.
Miguel Santos
SCHI Lab
Miguel holds a BSc in Biology from UVG in Guatemala and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Cancer Biology. His roles at SCHI are as Lab Technician and Researcher as well as facilitator and assistant in the process of extracting and isolating stem cells.
He has extensive training in Lab procedures and Research as well as diverse experiences in many branches of Life Sciences. He is an active Academia Member at UVG and is currently focused on Research into cellular dynamics and interactions by working with 3D Multicellular Cancer Spheroids.
Prof. Dr. Nurettin Lulec
MD, Chief Medical Officer, SCHI Satellite Clinic
Dr. Nurettin Luleci, Professor of Anesthesiology and Reanimation. He is the founder and President of the Medical Ozone Therapy Association (MOTDER). He has numerous years of experience in Medical Faculties as head of department and has educated numerous doctors in his field. He has successfully completed countless workshops in his field, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Nurettin’s focus is on specialized regenerative therapies with stem cells and various specialized modalities for pain management, intra-discal therapies, and regenerative oxygen therapies. These therapies are performed as a comprehensive approach and are employed inclusively of one-another so as to ensure the best possible results. We leave no stones unturned in your health.
Prof. Dr. Selcuk Duman
Research and Technical Advisor
Teaming together, Prof.Dr. Selcuk Duman and Prof.Dr. Murad Aktan are Professors in Medical Histology Embryology. They have extensive experience in cell manipulation and culture techniques including human embryonic cells for in vitro fertilization. They are practicing stem cells at clinic level since 2006. They have extensive experience in stem cell treatments for joint degeneration, hearth insufficiency, neurological conditions, as well as aesthetic procedures. Their main focus of research and specialization is geared towards optimization of stem cells for degenerative neurological disease and developing a concept of treating the body as a whole for optimum regeneration for healthy living in aged humans starting from cellular level (as histologists).
Both Dr’s have gained their knowledge and experience attending as speakers and students at numerous workshops for regenerative medicine treatments. They have visited and have collaborations worldwide with many successfully practicing stem cells.
Lic. Andrés Grajeda
Molecular Biologist
Lic. Andrés Grajeda graduated from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala as a Biochemist and Microbiologist at 2017. He is specialized in Molecular Biology with a Masters degree in the area from INVEGEM and Universidad Galileo at 2019. He has worked in molecular biology diagnostic testing, technique development and implementation. His techniques are varied from molecular biology, microbiology, cellular biotechnology and bioinformatics. He is now studying a specialization in bioinformatics.
Andrés is currently a professor at Universidad Mariano Galvez in which he participates as a coordinator for Microbiome Research and holds the courses of Molecular Biology and Biomolecules Techniques passing on knowledge and scientific logical thinking to help develop Guatemala scientific field through new generations.
Prof. Dr. Murad Aktan, MD
Research and Technical Advisor,
Teaming together, Prof.Dr. Selcuk Duman and Prof.Dr. Murad Aktan are Professors in Medical Histology Embryology. They have extensive experience in cell manipulation and culture techniques including human embryonic cells for in vitro fertilization. They are practicing stem cells at clinic level since 2006. They have extensive experience in stem cell treatments for joint degeneration, hearth insufficiency, neurological conditions, as well as aesthetic procedures. Their main focus of research and specialization is geared towards optimization of stem cells for degenerative neurological disease and developing a concept of treating the body as a whole for optimum regeneration for healthy living in aged humans starting from cellular level (as histologists).
Both Dr’s have gained their knowledge and experience attending as speakers and students at numerous workshops for regenerative medicine treatments. They have visited and have collaborations worldwide with many successfully practicing stem cell centers.
Dr. Rigoberto Alejandro Avila, MD
Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Avila is a surgeon specialized in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery with great experience, practice and solid academic training. He is the first Guatemalan graduated from the prestigious General Hospital of Mexico, “Dr. Eduardo Liceaga ”cradle of plastic surgery in Mexico. The Plastic Surgery service of the General Hospital was founded by the renowned Dr. Fernando Ortiz Monasterio, one of the top representatives of plastic surgery worldwide. The Postgraduate course has been supported since the 60’s by the Division of Higher Studies of the Faculty of Medicine of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), since then and to this day, the training of plastic surgeons meets the highest requirements of excellence.
To become a plastic surgeon, you must finish the medical career, undergo general surgery and after meeting these requirements go abroad to specialize in plastic and reconstructive surgery. In total there are 15 or more years of study to achieve this goal. The love of his career and service to others is one of the characteristics of Dr. Avila. During his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery he has participated in the two largest breast reconstruction campaigns in patients suffering from cancer in Mexico, which were carried out in the hospital where he resided. Work carried out together with the team of doctors with a total of 319 reconstructive surgeries in a month, October 2016. The second with half of the previous number in 2018, has added experience and mastery in its technique.
OFFICE MANAGER
Lucía Gaitán is Dr. Figueredo’s Administrative Assistant and is responsible for all office management and patient relationship duties. She holds a BA in Business Administration from UFM in Guatemala. She spent +30 years in the corporate world working in various industries and through the course of +15 years held roles outside Guatemala in business development, product management, market research, project management and client relationship management duties with multinational companies based in Mexico City, USA, Ecuador, Colombia and Honduras. She has also done extensive freelance project-management at an executive level in Central America in the Investment, Banking & Insurance, Technology, Fintech and Real Estate/Property Management sectors.
Her background and desire to switch gears professionally in order to get involved in a more people-oriented pursuit made her become interested in Stem Cells and Biotech after meeting Dr. Figueredo for the first time.