Full Name
H.E. Dr. Karin Larissa Herrera Aguilar
Job Title
Vice President
Current Employer
The Republic of Guatemala
Speaker Bio
Dr. Karin Larissa Herrera Aguilar is a Chemical Biologist who earned her degree from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) in 1991. She holds a Master’s in Environmental Studies from Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (1998) and a Doctorate in Sociology and Political Science from Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca (2009). A respected scientist, researcher and professor at USAC’s Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy—the country’s only public higher-education institution—Dr. Herrera combines academic excellence with civic commitment.
Her dedication to improving the Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy led her to active participation in professional and collegiate bodies, including the Colegio de Farmacéuticos y Químicos de Guatemala (COFAQUI). She represented COFAQUI before USAC’s Consejo Superior Universitario from 2015 to 2017 and served as Vice President of COFAQUI’s Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023. Long-standing work in rural communities convinced her that lasting change requires political engagement beyond academia and activism. Motivated by that conviction, she ran for public office and was elected Vice President of the Republic of Guatemala for the 2024–2028 term.
As Vice President, Dr. Herrera prioritizes evidence-based policymaking, leveraging data, censuses and research to guide government action. Her agenda emphasizes early childhood protection, food and nutritional security, biodiversity conservation—particularly in the Trifinio Region and Lake Atitlán—expanded participation of children, women and youth in development processes, and the promotion of science, innovation and technology.
Her dedication to improving the Faculty of Chemical Sciences and Pharmacy led her to active participation in professional and collegiate bodies, including the Colegio de Farmacéuticos y Químicos de Guatemala (COFAQUI). She represented COFAQUI before USAC’s Consejo Superior Universitario from 2015 to 2017 and served as Vice President of COFAQUI’s Board of Directors from 2021 to 2023. Long-standing work in rural communities convinced her that lasting change requires political engagement beyond academia and activism. Motivated by that conviction, she ran for public office and was elected Vice President of the Republic of Guatemala for the 2024–2028 term.
As Vice President, Dr. Herrera prioritizes evidence-based policymaking, leveraging data, censuses and research to guide government action. Her agenda emphasizes early childhood protection, food and nutritional security, biodiversity conservation—particularly in the Trifinio Region and Lake Atitlán—expanded participation of children, women and youth in development processes, and the promotion of science, innovation and technology.
Speaking At
