Scientist confronts four-year legal battle over COVID-19 testing in Ecuador
Linda Guamán, a Quito-based microbiologist, endured a four-year legal ordeal over Ecuador’s COVID-19 testing strategy—accused of misusing funds tied to the purchase of rapid LAMP tests—facing arrest and ankle monitoring before a 2025 trial; supporters say the case was politically driven and that LAMP, a faster alternative to PCR, was used appropriately, and she continued her work while earning recognition for standing up for science.