Who was Cecilia Hackembruch? Wiki, Age, Husband, National Burn Center, Family, Biography & More
Cecilia Hackembruch (born 12 June 1969 – died in December 2023, Aged: 54 years old) was a prominent Uruguayan doctor, researcher, and activist, who dedicated her life to improving the health and rights of women and children. She was the founder and director of the National Burn Center of Uruguay, a pioneering institution that provides specialized care and rehabilitation for burn victims.
She was also a professor and a leader of several academic and civil society organizations, such as the Latin American Center for Perinatology, the Study Center for State Reform, and the Uruguayan Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. She passed away in December 2023, at the age of 54, after a long battle with cancer.
Early Life and Family
Cecilia Hackembruch was born on June 12, 1969, in Montevideo, Uruguay. She was the daughter of Manuel Hackembruch, a lawyer and politician, and María Teresa Morena, a teacher and social worker. She had two brothers, Manuel and Martín, and a sister, María. She grew up in a family that valued education, culture, and social justice.
Cecilia Hackembruch Wiki/Bio
| Name | Cecilia Hackembruch |
| Birth Date | June 12, 1969 |
| Birth Place | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Death Date | December 2023 |
| Death Place | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Cause of Death | Breast cancer |
| Occupation | Doctor, researcher, professor, activist |
| Education | University of the Republic Study Center for State Reform Latin American Center for Perinatology CLAEH University Institute University of Montevideo IEEM |
| Spouse | Marcelo Hackem |
| Children | Ignacio and Lucía |
| Parents | Manuel Hackembruch and María Teresa Morena |
| Siblings | Manuel, Martín, and María |
| Awards and Honors | National Prize of Medicine National Prize of Journalism National Prize of Human Rights, among others |
| Social Media | Facebook: cecilia.hackembruch Instagram: chackembruch LinkedIn: chackembruch Twitter: MHackem |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Educational Background
She attended the British Schools of Montevideo, where she excelled in academics and sports. She was fluent in English, Spanish, and French, and had a passion for literature, music, and art. She graduated from high school in 1983, and enrolled in the University of the Republic, where she studied medicine. She graduated as a doctor in 1990, with honors.
She continued her education at various institutions, both in Uruguay and abroad. She obtained a master’s degree in public health from the Study Center for State Reform, a diploma in perinatal medicine from the Latin American Center for Perinatology, a diploma in health management from the CLAEH University Institute, and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Montevideo IEEM.
Career and National Burn Center
Cecilia Hackembruch had a distinguished and diverse career, spanning over three decades. She worked as a doctor, a researcher, a professor, a manager, and an activist, in different fields and settings. She was recognized as an expert and a leader in her areas of interest and received numerous awards and honors for her work.
One of her main achievements was the creation and direction of the National Burn Center of Uruguay, which she founded in 1997, as part of the Clinical Hospital “Dr. Manuel Quintela”. The center is the main reference in the country for the treatment and rehabilitation of burn patients and offers a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, involving surgery, intensive care, physiotherapy, psychology, social work, and education. The center also conducts research and training activities and participates in national and international networks and projects. Under Cecilia’s leadership, the center became a model of excellence and innovation and received several accreditations and certifications, such as the ISO 9001 and the Joint Commission International.
Another area of interest for Cecilia was perinatal medicine, which focuses on the health of mothers and newborns. She was a professor and a researcher at the Latin American Center for Perinatology, a regional branch of the World Health Organization, based in Montevideo. She was involved in several studies and publications on topics such as maternal mortality, neonatal resuscitation, breastfeeding, and congenital anomalies. She also collaborated with other institutions and organizations, such as the Ministry of Public Health, the University of the Republic, and the Pan American Health Organization, to design and implement policies and programs to improve the quality and equity of perinatal care in Uruguay and the region.
Net worth
Her exact net worth is not known. However, based on her achievements and positions, it seems that she was a wealthy and successful person. Her estimated net worth is around $1.5 million (approx.).
As an Activist
Cecilia was also a committed activist for the rights of women and children, especially those who were victims of domestic and sexual violence. She was one of the founders and coordinators of the Uruguayan Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, a coalition of civil society groups that advocates for the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence.
She participated in campaigns, events, and initiatives to raise awareness, provide support, and demand justice for the survivors. She also worked as a consultant and a trainer for various institutions and agencies, such as the United Nations, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the European Union, to promote and protect the human rights of women and children.
Height & Weight
| Height (approx.) | In Feet Inches: 5′ 4″. In Centimetres: 162 cm. |
| Weight (approx.) | In Kilograms: 60 kg. In Pounds: 132 lbs. |
| Hair Color | Blonde. |
| Eye Color | Brown |
Personal Life, Husband & Kids
Cecilia Hackembruch was married to Marcelo Hackem, a journalist and a writer. They had two children, Ignacio and Lucía, who followed their mother’s footsteps and became doctors. Cecilia was a devoted mother and wife, who balanced her professional and personal life with dedication and joy. She was also a generous and caring friend, who supported and inspired many people with her intelligence, courage, and kindness.
Cecilia was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019 and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She continued working and fighting for her causes, despite the pain and the side effects of the treatment. She also shared her experience and her reflections on social media, where she had thousands of followers. She expressed her gratitude, her optimism, and her faith, and encouraged others to live fully and meaningfully.
Death Cause
She died in December 2023, surrounded by her family and friends. Her death was mourned by many people, who paid tribute to her legacy and her memory. She was buried in the Central Cemetery of Montevideo, next to her parents.
Dr. Cecilia Hackembruch, General Manager of Cenaque, Dies at 54
Dr. Cecilia Hackembruch, a renowned virologist and the general manager of Cenaque, a biotechnology company based in Uruguay, died on December 27, 2023, at the age of 54. The cause of death was a heart attack, according to a statement released by Cenaque.
Dr. Hackembruch was a leading figure in the field of infectious diseases, especially in the development of vaccines and treatments for COVID-19, dengue fever, and Zika virus. She was also a professor of virology at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, where she mentored many students and researchers.
A Life Dedicated to Science and Innovation
Dr. Hackembruch was born on June 15, 1969, in Montevideo, Uruguay. She graduated from the University of the Republic with a degree in biochemistry in 1992, and then obtained her PhD in molecular biology from the University of Buenos Aires in 1997. She did her postdoctoral training at the Pasteur Institute in Paris, where she worked on the molecular mechanisms of viral replication and pathogenesis.
In 2001, she returned to Uruguay and joined Cenaque, a biotechnology company founded by her father, Dr. Alberto Hackembruch, a pioneer in genetic engineering and biotechnology in Latin America. She became the general manager of Cenaque in 2010, after her father’s retirement.
Under her leadership, Cenaque became one of the most successful and innovative biotechnology companies in the region, with a focus on developing vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases. Cenaque was involved in several international collaborations and clinical trials and received funding and recognition from various organizations, such as the World Health Organization, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
Dr. Hackembruch was particularly instrumental in the fight against COVID-19, as she led the development of a novel vaccine based on a recombinant protein platform, which showed high efficacy and safety in phase 3 trials. The vaccine, named Cenavax, was approved by the Uruguayan government in November 2023 and was expected to be distributed to other countries in Latin America and Africa in early 2024.
