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Learn. Collaborate. Publish. Change healthcare.
An international medical education initiative founded by Dr. Isabella Cadena to help committed healthcare professionals develop the knowledge, mentorship, and discipline needed to conduct rigorous scientific research and publish work that improves patient care.
- Global
- Community
- Live
- Mentorship
- Peer
- Publishing
About the Founder
Meet Dr. Isabella Cadena
Dr. Isabella Cadena is a Medical Doctor who graduated from Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) in 2020, and served for two years as a medical educator at USFQ, teaching and mentoring future physicians.
As a student, she was awarded a competitive Medical Education Grant — a project she personally pitched and defended before the committee to secure funding for a before-and-after intervention study using the NBME, later complicated by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She continues her international training with studies in Australia, preparation for PLAB 1 and USMLE Step 1, an advanced biostatistics course taught by a Harvard professor, and an ongoing research program at Johns Hopkins University, alongside coursework from NYU Langone Health.
Her published work includes a first-author case report at NYU indexed in PubMed and a systematic literature review on neurocysticercosis. She also led the adaptation of a positive youth development program in the rural community of Guangaje, Cotopaxi — waking at 4:30 a.m. and driving four hours each way to teach children how to set and reach goals. It remains one of the most meaningful chapters of her career.
Her greatest passion is serving people: from teaching, to caring for vulnerable populations in her own practice — where the first consultation is free and follow-ups are $5 — to community prevention work on sex education, dengue on the coast, and nutrition in underserved regions. She recently joined a medical brigade in Cotopaxi and will soon travel to Portoviejo. Research for Impact is an extension of that mission: to help physicians publish evidence that reaches the patients and communities who need it most.
Our Mission
We believe better research leads to better healthcare.
Research for Impact equips healthcare professionals with the skills, mentorship, and accountability to generate meaningful scientific evidence that improves patient outcomes — with a particular commitment to rural areas and underserved communities across Ecuador and the world.
What You Will Learn
Theory that becomes practice.
A comprehensive curriculum covering every step of the research process — from formulating a question to publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
- 01Research Methodology
- 02Evidence-Based Medicine
- 03Systematic Reviews
- 04Meta-analysis
- 05Literature Search Strategies
- 06Critical Appraisal
- 07Scientific Writing
- 08Publication Strategies
- 09Biostatistics Fundamentals
- 10Study Design
- 11Research Ethics
- 12Data Extraction
- 13Reference Management
- 14Using AI to complete research in a quarter of the time
- 15Avoiding common research mistakes
- 16Publishing in peer-reviewed journals
How the Program Works
Research is best learned by doing.
Our model combines structured teaching with continuous mentorship and collaboration. Every participant is guided to complete meaningful research and submit it for publication. Authorship on projects developed within the program is reserved exclusively for enrolled participants.
Live interactive classes
Recorded sessions available to enrolled participants
Step-by-step guidance from research question to manuscript submission
Small specialty-based research groups
Individual mentoring whenever needed
Ongoing support throughout the research process
Publication guidance
Accountability meetings
Practical workshops
Research resources and templates
Collaboration with peers from different countries
Exam Prep Track
Specialty exam prep — and a CV that earns interviews.
Dedicated live sessions to prepare for the USMLE and international specialty exams — Germany, Spain, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Colombia, and, of course, Ecuador. Because for specialty training your CV matters as much as your score, we also work on strengthening your research profile in parallel.
- 01USMLE Step 1 & Step 2 CK strategies
- 02International specialty exams: MIR (Spain), Approbation (Germany), Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador
- 03High-yield question banks and walkthroughs
- 04Test-taking tips, pacing, and burnout prevention
- 05Building a competitive CV — with research as your strongest asset
- 06Q&A with physicians who have matched abroad
Specialty Research Groups
Collaborate within your field.
Participants join small research groups by specialty or area of interest. Each group works together to develop high-quality research projects with the objective of publication.
Learn from physicians who've done it
An international faculty of physicians and researchers.
Research for Impact features guest mentors — physicians and researchers from the United States, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Latin America — who have built careers at leading institutions and are here to share exactly what they wish they had known.
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Carlos Floresguerra
Chief of Surgery — East Tennessee State University
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Andres Rosero
AI Engineer at xAI (Grok) — alongside Elon Musk
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Wesley Ghasem
Interventional Cardiology — UCLA
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Andres Oquendo
Surgery — Mayo Clinic
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Nicole Echeverria
Dermatology — Munich, Germany
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Michaelle Vaca
Plastic Surgery — Italy
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Elena Iturralde
Top MIR Score — Ecuador
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Juan Fernando Ortiz
Neurology
- Guest Mentor
Dr. Alejandro López
Psychiatry — New York
- Additional mentors from multiple specialties continue joining our educational team as the program grows.
Why Research for Impact?
More than a course. A path to becoming an independent researcher.
We combine education, mentorship, collaboration, and accountability. By the end of the program, participants will have developed practical research skills, collaborated with colleagues, and worked toward publishing meaningful scientific research.
Who Is This For?
Built for every stage of the medical career.
No previous research experience is required — only the discipline and commitment to see a project through to publication. Admission is by application, interview, and CV review.
- Medical Students
- Residents
- Physicians
- International Medical Graduates (IMGs)
- Researchers
- Other healthcare professionals
FAQ
Questions, answered.
- Can anyone join?
- No. Admission is by selection. Every applicant completes an interview and CV review so we can build a group of participants who are genuinely committed to putting in the hours. Prior research experience is not required — commitment is.
- Do I need previous research experience?
- No. Beginners and experienced researchers are equally welcome. What matters is the willingness to work.
- Will I receive mentorship?
- Yes. Personalized mentorship and continuous support are central to the program.
- Will there be opportunities to publish?
- Yes. Projects developed inside the program are designed for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and authorship on those projects is reserved for enrolled participants.
- Are classes recorded?
- Yes. Recorded sessions are available to enrolled participants during the program.
- Can I participate from another country?
- Absolutely. Research for Impact is designed as an international educational community.
Join Our Community
Learn. Collaborate. Publish. Create meaningful impact.
Become part of a growing international network of healthcare professionals committed to advancing medicine through research. Admission is by application — submit yours below and our team will follow up to schedule your interview.
The future of medicine is built through research — and your journey starts here.