Current Positions
- Oncologist and Joan Rodés Researcher, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia–INCLIVA.
- Group Leader, research group on the impact of the tumor immune microenvironment on therapeutic responses of gastro-esophageal tumors (originating from the “Colorectal cancer and new therapeutic developments in solid tumors” group led by Prof. Andrés Cervantes).
Education and Training
- Medical Degree, Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción (graduated first in class).
- Residency in Medical Oncology, La Fe Polytechnic University Hospital, Valencia.
- PhD in Medicine (with honours), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), November 2011.
Thesis: biomarkers of angiogenesis in lung cancer, conducted under a predoctoral research grant from Bancaja and a contract between the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Research Group at Hospital La Fe and the UAB.
Professional Background
- Since 2011: Member of Dr. Andrés Cervantes’ group at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia, initially in clinical care of patients with digestive tumors and subsequently as a Río Hortega postdoctoral researcher in clinical trial development.
- Postdoctoral translational research experience in projects on the genomics of gastric cancer and other solid tumors.
- 2015–2016: One-year postdoctoral stay at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), funded by AECC and SEOM fellowships.
- 2018–2022: Joan Rodés Researcher.
- 2022–2023: Clinical Senior Researcher (AECC grant).
- Active member of the Ethics Committee, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia.
- Active member of the ESMO GI Faculty Group, the EORTC Upper GI Task Force, and the ESMO Publishing Group.
- Evaluator for European proposals (Horizon Europe) and for the National Science Evaluation Programme in Spain.
- Co-director of two doctoral theses on the immune microenvironment of gastric cancer (planned defence in early 2024).
- Ongoing teaching and supervision of medical students and residents.
Clinical Skills
- Management of patients with digestive and gastro-esophageal tumors.
- Participation in and development of clinical trials in oncology.
Scientific Skills
- Translational research at the interface of clinical oncology, tumor immunology, and genomics.
- Study of the tumor immune microenvironment in gastric and gastro-esophageal cancers.
- Design and conduct of biomarker studies (angiogenesis, immune markers, resistance mechanisms).
- Experience with multi-centre and international clinical–translational studies.
Scientific Leadership
- Leader of an emerging research group on the immune microenvironment and therapeutic response in gastro-esophageal tumors.
- Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigator of competitive national and international grants.
- Scientific coordinator of large European consortia and multi-partner projects.
- Regular invited speaker and educator for both scientific audiences and the general population.
Research Activities
- Study of the tumor immune microenvironment in gastric and gastro-esophageal cancers and its impact on response to systemic therapies, including immunotherapy.
- Genomic and molecular characterization of solid tumors, with a focus on gastric cancer and resistance mechanisms (e.g., in HER2-positive tumors).
- Identification of prognostic and predictive biomarkers in gastric cancer, particularly in young patients.
- Application of artificial intelligence to preneoplastic gastric lesions and risk stratification.
- Translational bridge between molecular findings and clinical practice in digestive oncology.
Funded Projects (Principal Investigator or Co-PI)
- Principal Investigator, FIS Project TFK-2018-01 (Carlos III Institute; SNS): immune microenvironment of gastric cancer.
- Principal Investigator, PI21/00693 (Carlos III Institute; started 2022): search for biomarkers for immunotherapy.
- Scientific Coordinator, “CELAC and European consortium for a personalized medicine approach for gastric cancer (LEGACy)” (European funding ~€4M).
- Principal Investigator and Coordinator, AIDA Project – “An Artificially Intelligent Diagnostic Assistant for gastric inflammation” (AIDA, Horizon Europe, 2023–2026, PN 101095359), consortium of 15 partners, focused on preneoplastic gastric lesions and AI-based risk prediction and prevention.
- Principal Investigator, VERO Project – “Prognostic and predictive value of response of the gastric cancer microenvironment in young people” (Spanish Multidisciplinary Group on Digestive Cancer, GEMCAD, 2022–2024).
- Principal Investigator, Gilead grant on resistance mechanisms in HER2-positive gastric tumors (SEOM grant, 2019–2022).
- Principal Investigator, Mutua Madrileña grant – “Immunotherapy in gastroesophageal cancer. Towards a new therapeutic strategy through the inhibition of HCK and/or FGR proteins involved in the attenuation of the immune response” (2023–2025).
- Principal Investigator, international CONACYT (Paraguay) project on electronic medical record development and molecular biology of solid tumors in Paraguayan patients, involving Hospital de Clínicas, INCAN, HCUV and two EMR companies.
International Collaborations
- Coordinated work across institutions in Europe and Latin America (e.g., Spain, Paraguay) on electronic medical records and molecular profiling of solid tumors.
- Participation in CELAC–EU collaborations in gastric cancer (LEGACy consortium).
- International partnerships within AIDA (Horizon Europe) and industry/NGO-funded projects (e.g., Gilead, Mutua Madrileña).
International Roles
- Ethics Committee member at Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia.
- Active member of ESMO GI Faculty, EORTC Upper GI Task Force, and ESMO Publishing Group.
- Evaluator for Horizon Europe proposals and for Spanish national research evaluation programmes.
Scientific Output and Impact
- First author, contributing author, and senior/corresponding author publications in top-quartile journals.
- Presentations at major national and international oncology conferences.
- Extensive outreach and educational activity for patients and the general public, including project-based talks and dissemination events.
- Scopus metrics:
- H-index: 24.
- 70 publications.
- 3,483 citations in total.