Maria Abunto, MD, MPH, MBA

Physician Biotech Executive | Award-Winning AI Thought Leader | Consultant | Board Member | Educator | Award-Winning Medical Affairs Leader | Lean Six Sigma | Award-Winning HBA Leader | Speaker | Beta Gamma Sigma Honors

United States

About

My vision is clear and unwavering—a future without cancer. With over two decades of distinguished leadership in healthcare, I have consistently driven transformative advancements across clinical practice, medical affairs, and strategic business operations. My career has been marked by pioneering innovations in cancer early detection, precision medicine, diagnostics, medical devices, and advanced multi-omics-based liquid biopsy technologies, particularly excelling in the strategic deployment of neurovascular medical devices, stool and blood-based colorectal cancer (CRC), Molecular Residual Disease (MRD), Multicancer early detection (MCED), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening platforms throughout the U.S. and Europe. I strategically direct investments into cutting-edge cancer therapies, diagnostics, and preventive solutions, prioritizing opportunities that significantly enhance patient outcomes, global healthcare access, and economic sustainability through meticulous scientific assessment, thorough market analysis, and comprehensive financial evaluation. Grounded in deep expertise in health information technology and responsible AI for business leaders, I drive strategic decision-making and spearhead innovation that transforms healthcare to uncover challenges, engage clinical stakeholders, and manage change to promote technology adoption. My expertise encompasses strategic planning, advanced account management, and building influential relationships with key international opinion leaders, allowing for seamless clinical innovation and commercial strategy integration. Throughout my executive tenure, I have navigated complex organizational transformations, accelerated growth trajectories, and fostered impactful international collaborations. I thrive in ambiguity, influence strategic outcomes and negotiations, and cultivate high-value partnerships across biotech, academia, and industry. I help healthcare organizations assess their readiness for AI adoption and build structured change management roadmaps to safely implement AI across clinical and operational workflows. By leveraging an extensive network across healthcare systems, academia, and industry leaders in Asia, Europe and the U.S., I have expedited the adoption of groundbreaking medical solutions, significantly improving patient care and reshaping the global healthcare landscape. Driven by a profound commitment to global health equity, I proactively champion initiatives to eliminate healthcare disparities and enhance equitable access to innovative treatments and technologies.

Experience

  • Adjunct Professor at Duquesne University John G. Rangos, Sr. School of Health Sciences
    Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

  • Medical Consultant at CANCER FUND
    Nov 2024 - Present · 1 yr 9 mos

  • Executive Medical Director | Artificial Intelligence Consultant at AMBA Venture
    Mar 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 5 mos

  • Artificial Intelligence Ambassador at American College of Artificial Intelligence and Medicine
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

    Ambassador Award for American Collage of AI and Medicine

  • Artificial Intelligence Research Specialist at RAISE-PA
    May 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

    Published Policy Report: Rural Stakeholders' Voices on Generative Artificial Intelligence