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Name:  Ramon Garcia-Escudero, PhD

Institution: Molecular and Translational Oncology Division at CIEMAT, Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Cancer, and Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain

Area of expertise: Disease models, biomarkers and therapies for head and neck cancer

My work: 

In order to prevent, treat, and cure cancer, we have to understand how it starts, progresses, and metastasizes. To do this, we need accurate disease models, comprehensive analytical technologies, access to patient samples, and systematic experimental and clinical approaches.Very importantly, we need collaboration between different laboratories and experts in the oncology field.

In my laboratory, we can generate and analyze different types of mouse models, including mice that share similar mutations to patients. In these mice, we can reproduce some of the non-genetic risk factors that lead to disease, and we can reproduce growth of human tumors. These animal systems are key to testing antitumor compounds in a preclinical setting.

We also work to integrate knowledge from genomics research using preclinical models and human samples to search for new early diagnostic tools and therapeutic opportunities. I hope that our research activities will be translated into new and better clinical interventions for FA patients.

What motivates me to work on FA:

I believe our role as scientists is to translate our expertise to society. For me, this means focusing research into new methods that would improve people’s quality of life. That’s why helping FA patients by diagnosing, preventing, or curing their cancers is a major aim of my work. I am convinced that scientists, clinicians, patients, families, foundations, and all stakeholders will achieve this goal by working together.

When I’m not in the lab, you could find me:

Either with my wife Cati and my son Miguel, walking and biking in the mountains in Madrid, or chatting and eating with my friends.

My message to the FA community:

Cancer is a disease that has struck my own family. Resilience, work, hope: these are the key words that came to my mind when thinking about FA families. Your support of FARF and other FA funding organizations like the Spanish Fundación Anemia de Fanconi is essential to helping us find new advances and treatments. Thank you.