About MeI'm a cross-disciplinary scientist. I like to think that I bring a unique perspective to the intersection of physics and immuno-oncology. My career reflects a unifying vision, where I merge insights from physics, mathematics, computational modelling, and biology to tackle cancer research’s most pressing challenges.
From studying Loop Quantum Gravity to exploring immuno-oncology, my journey is driven by curiosity, interdisciplinary collaborations and most of all, my passion to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. When I’m not immersed in research, you’ll find me enjoying music, sports, and exploring new destinations. Through this platform, I aim to show that a fulfilling personal life and a career in science can go hand in hand. |
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Early Life and the Physics Spark
Computers and cookies were always my thing. 1994
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I was born in La Plata, Argentina, during my mom’s PhD, but we moved back to Catamarca when I was four. Growing up in a household filled with physics books, computers and conversations about science, I was surrounded by an environment that piqued my curiosity. While I didn’t fully understand physics as a child, I saw my mom traveling the world to present her work, and I thought, “I want to be a physicist so I can travel the world too!”
My first encounter with physics was accidental. At 14, I wanted to join the Math Olympics, but I was too young to participate. Instead, my mom spoke to the teacher in charge of the Physics Olympics, who allowed me to join the team as a favour. To everyone’s surprise, I placed second in the regional competition and earned a spot in the national finals. Although I finished near the bottom (93rd out of 95), the experience lit a spark in me. I loved the challenge and the travel. From then on, I competed every year, made lifelong friends, and even earned a Mention of Honour before finishing high school. |
Choosing Physics
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When it came time to choose a career, I considered Medicine and Film Editing (I attended an arts-oriented school), but Physics was always my top choice—especially since it meant moving to Córdoba, where many of my Physics Olympics friends were.
I began my undergraduate studies in Physics at the National University of Córdoba, but health issues brought me back to Catamarca, where I completed my degree at the National University of Catamarca in 2013. My thesis, "Study of the null surfaces formalism in general relativity. Conformal metric obtention", marked the beginning of my formal journey into research. |
My first contribution to a scientific conference. 95th Physics National Meeting. Mendoza, Argentina, 2010.
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Loop Quantum Gravity and Black Holes
Arriving at Marseille. 2013 :)
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Fascinated by Loop Quantum Gravity, I spent hours reading Carlo Rovelli’s books and articles, captivated by his ability to explain abstract theories so vividly. Motivated to learn more, I earned a grant to pursue a Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Aix-Marseille in France, where I had the privilege of working closely with Rovelli himself.
During my Master’s, I delved into advanced mathematics, particularly differential equations, and ventured into coding for the first time—skills that would later prove invaluable in cancer research. After defending my thesis, "Non-trivial dispersion relations in vacuum", in 2014, I returned to Argentina to pursue a PhD. |
PhD: Building Computational Expertise
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Eager to expand my modelling skills and explore interdisciplinary research, I pursued a PhD in statistical physics and critical phenomena at both the Institute of Physics of Liquids and Biological Systems (IFLySiB) and the National University of La Plata, under the supervision of Prof. Ezequiel Albano and Prof. Santiago Grigera.
My research focused on developing numerical algorithms, particularly Monte Carlo algorithms, to characterize a three-state spin model, constructing its phase diagram, and studying how impurities influence it's critical behaviour. These results not only advanced basic research but also provided practical methods for identifying phase transitions with real-world applications. However, I wasn't truly passionate about this field. |
StatPhys 27. Buenos Aires,
Argentina. 2019
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Transition to Cancer Research
Presenting my ABM at the CoSaPro: Provincial Health Conference. Mar del Plata, Argentina. 2023
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Towards the end of my PhD, I decided to pivot to cancer research, driven by a lifelong passion to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. In 2020, I was awarded a fellowship from CONICET, Argentina, after an exhaustive peer review process. Under the supervision of Prof. Manuel Carlevaro (IFLySiB) and Prof. Enrique Lomba (CSIC, Spain), I divided my time between Argentina and Spain to develop an agent-based model (ABM) that studies the dynamics between cancer and CAR T-cell immunotherapy—a revolutionary treatment in which T-cells are engineered to target and destroy cancer cells. This work allowed me to computationally test therapeutic strategies in silico, bypassing the need for experimental or clinical trials.
My early work in cancer research highlighted the importance of collaborating with experimentalists to translate computational models into real-world impact. While I relied on literature data to calibrate my models, I realised the value of working closely with biologists and clinicians to gain deeper insights. I assembled a multidisciplinary team, which broadened my perspective and reinforced my decision to become a cross-disciplinary scientist myself. |
Bridging Disciplines: From Physics to Biology
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In 2023, I joined the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) in Edinburgh, UK, to be part of a multidisciplinary project led by Dr. Linus Schumacher (CRM, Edinburgh) and Prof. Chris Sander (Harvard Medical School). Our work used artificial intelligence to analyse cellular heterogeneity within tissue samples, aiming to understand how it affects tumour growth and treatment response. This experience immersed me in a biological environment and exposed me to modern computational techniques and new types of biomedical data. There I realised there are far more types of data/different cancers/disease applications than the ones I’ve been exposed to.
I wanted to learn about these on my path to independence, and also working even more closely with the biologists/clinicians in order to learn how to get my own data (after all I was still in a dry lab in Edinburgh). That would give me the chance to apply my analytical and computational skills where they might have the most impact and come up with new ideas to identify and address challenges in cancer research. |
Delta Tissue - All hands meeting. Geneva, Switzerland. 2023
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Stages of my career before getting the independent fellowship (XDF)
Cross-Disciplinary Fellow (XDF)
At the Mouse House. CRUK - Scotland Institute. Glasgow. 2024
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In 2024, I was honoured to receive a prestigious Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (XDF) in Cancer Research, which enabled me to work as an independent fellow at the Cancer Research UK - Scotland Institute in Glasgow. This fellowship is designed for early-career scientists with quantitative training who aspire to build independent careers in data-driven computational biomedicine. Through a personalized training and research program, the XDF aims to develop cross-disciplinary leaders in this field.
One of the greatest benefits of the XDF Programme is the gift of time. As a postdoc, I was often racing to publish, leaving little room to deeply explore the concepts I was working with. This fellowship has allowed me to slow down, dig deeper into my research, and truly focus on learning. Additionally, I’ve been trained in wet lab techniques, working closely with biologists and clinicians to generate and analyse my own data—a fundamental skill when applying analytical expertise to address critical challenges in cancer research. The XDF Programme has significantly broadened my understanding of various cancer types and disease contexts, further fuelling my ambition to make meaningful contributions to immuno-oncology. |
Finding Light in Challenges
It has been a long journey from studying black holes to analysing cells. On paper, it may seem smooth, but the reality was anything but easy. Navigating academia as a woman—and as a woman from an underdeveloped country—has presented unique challenges. Yet, challenging doesn’t mean impossible. I share my story because I’ve learned that, no matter how dark it may seem, there’s always a light switch waiting to be turned on.
If you’re curious about the “Side B” of my career, check out my blog, and feel free to get in touch—I’d love to hear your story, too!
Just as I’ve discovered that flexibility is essential for tackling new challenges and navigating different disciplines, I’ve also come to value the power of building supportive networks—friends, colleagues, and mentors who inspire and uplift you along the way.
If you’re curious about the “Side B” of my career, check out my blog, and feel free to get in touch—I’d love to hear your story, too!
Just as I’ve discovered that flexibility is essential for tackling new challenges and navigating different disciplines, I’ve also come to value the power of building supportive networks—friends, colleagues, and mentors who inspire and uplift you along the way.
