A journey into biostatistics: Carmen Cadarso’s vision and her commitment to science and society

This article celebrates the life and scientific legacy of Carmen Cadarso, a leading figure in the development of Biostatistics in Spain. Combining personal reflections with an overview of her research, we begin by revisiting Carmen's academic path, including her early training, key influences, and her longstanding commitment to research grounded in collaboration and social relevance. The second part of the article focuses on her scientific contributions, guided by a thematic thread around flexible statistical models. Selected examples illustrate how she contributed to methods that are both rigorous and practical, consistently shaped by biomedical applications. Carmen's work, teaching, and leadership have left a lasting impact on the field and on the many colleagues and students who had the privilege to work with her. This article is dedicated, with our deepest affection, to Klaus Ebert, Carmen's husband.