I have always been attracted to both, magic and science. I think it is beautiful to think that some things happen because of greater forces of nature, because of the stars, because of fate. But I also want to understand why and how. Why does it seem that a single cell has its own brain and acts and reacts like a person would do? How do they really work? And why do some cells in our body become malignant and develop cancer?  We also have our own defences, right? Can’t the immune system help us defeat cancer?

These are questions that I have asked myself since I started studying the cell in primary school or genetics in high school. That’s why in 2014 I decided to study Biology at the University of Córdoba (UCO), but that wasn’t enough, so, in 2019 I enrolled in the Biomedicine master (also at UCO). After starting to take a grasp of what cancer meant, in 2020 I decided to do my PhD in biomedicine as well, focusing on cancer metabolism and immune system in the lab group New Therapies in Cancer, at IMIBIC, Córdoba. The project that was titled: Targeting metabolism to improve immunotherapy for GSNOR-deficient colorectal cancer, was so interesting that, of course, I needed to know more. I need to know what we can do to improve immunotherapies for cancer patients. That is why I contacted Dr. María Casanova’s lab, that has an amazing background in immune system and cancer and will help me broaden my knowledge in this field. Luckily, I will perform my post-doctoral research here, trying to understand how the circadian rhythms affect the interaction between the immune and cancer cells. Hopefully, we can develop new therapeutic strategies (really cool and original ones) to treat cancer.

Apart from my love for science, I also love spending time with my friends and family. I’m a sun-dependent person, so in my spare time I try to go out as much as I can. But don’t get me wrong, I also love being at home watching Netflix and eating pizza. Traveling is also important to me, to learn about different cultures and keep an open mind. I think I’m optimistic and upbeat, so I try to see the bright side of things. Since I’m a dreamer, I would love to use my energy and my skills to cure cancer. Now that we have more and more knowledge every day, I think it is about time we help cancer patients and find new treatments.

So, let’s do some magic!