Dr. Kandy T. Velázquez is from Isabela, Puerto Rico.  She did her bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez. Then, she pursued her master degree in Medical Physiology at the Medical Sciences Campus-UPR under the tutelage of Dr. Juan Carlos Jorge.  For her thesis, she studied the role of 3-alpha androstanediol on hedonic, reinforcing, and anxiety-like behaviors in rats.    After receiving her PhD in Exercise Science-Applied Physiology from the University of South Carolina investigating the role of nutraceuticals on cancer cachexia under the mentorship of Dr. James A. Carson, she joined the laboratory of Dr. Angela Murphy to pursue postdoctoral training on obesity promoting cancer.  Her graduate work was funded by RISE-program (UPR-MSC), PREP-Program (USC), SLOAN Scholarship (USC), SEAGEP (USC), Diversity supplement (NIH-NCI), ASPIRE (USC), Mentor/Mentee grant (SSMN), K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (NIH-NCCIH), Seed Grant from SLOAN Foundation, R43 from NCCIH-NIH, Target Faculty in the P20 from NIGMS-NIH, RDA from the Department of Veterans Affairs, R21 from NCI-NIH, and R01 from NCI-NIH.  Dr. Velázquez’s lab focuses on investigating the neuro-immune mechanism by which colorectal cancer, colitis, and chemotherapy treatments promote visceral nociception (pain) and neuropathic pain, respectively.  In addition, her lab studies the effects of an herbal formula as a new therapy to treat pain and cachexia.  Her life outside academia is concentrated in spending quality time with friends/family and going on walks with her kids.