European Researchers’ Night 2024

European Researchers’ Night 2024

On 27 September 2024, Ulysseus will celebrate another edition of the European Researchers’ Night. For this ocassion, we will hold ”Hope through Cancer Research” a series of video-interviews with Ulysseus scientists on the latests advances on cancer research.

 

The European Researchers’ Night — an annual event coordinated by Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) which aims at bringing research and researchers closer to the public and to showcase the impact of their work on people’s daily life. The initiative will combine face-to-face and online activities celebrated across more than 300 cities in Europe.

 

Hope through cancer research

”Hope Through Cancer Research” is a captivating series of mini-interviews featuring eight esteemed Ulysseus scientists, each specializing in various fields of cancer research. These researchers are at the forefront of innovative trends, from groundbreaking treatments to early detection methods. Through personal insights and explanations of their latest advancements, they aim to spark curiosity and inspire hope for cancer patients and their families. The series highlights how scientific breakthroughs are transforming cancer care, bringing us closer to more effective therapies and improved outcomes. Join us to explore the future of cancer research and the hope it brings.

On European Researchers' Night

This activity is part of the European Researchers’ Night. This is an annual, continent-wide event dedicated to celebrating science and bringing researchers closer to the public. Held every September, this initiative provides an opportunity for people of all ages to engage with science through a variety of activities, including interactive experiments, exhibitions, science shows, and discussions. The event is designed to spark interest in research careers among young people, demonstrating the impact of scientific work on everyday life and society. Organized by universities, research institutions, and museums across Europe, the night aims to demystify the work of scientists and make it more accessible and exciting for the general public.

Key facts

Leading cause of death

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, or nearly one in six deaths.

Most common types of cancer

The most common cancers are breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers.

Factors

Around one-third of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco use, high body mass index, alcohol consumption, low fruit and vegetable intake, and lack of physical activity. In addition, air pollution is an important risk factor for lung cancer.

Cancer rates in the EU

In the EU 2.7 million people were diagnosed with cancer in 2022. Cancer deaths also went up and were estimated to be at 1.3 million.

Cancer statistics

Cancer affects men more than women, 53% of new cases and 55 % of deaths Share of EU population expected occur in men.

Hope for cancer

Many cancers can be cured if detected early and treated effectively.

Interviews with Ulysseus scientists

Hope through cancer research

Manuel Sarmiento Soto

Associate Professor at University of Seville

Keywords: brain tumor, immunotherapy, glioblastoma, brain metastasis, neuroinflammation

Rocio Talaverón Aguilocho

 

Researcher at University of Seville

Keywords: brain tumor, glioblastoma, brain metastasis, neuroscientist, neurobiochemistry, Connexin43

John Rowell

 

Strategic Director at the Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur

Keywords: cancer research, innovation

Jean Albrengues

 

Scientist at the Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur

Keywords: chemotherapy, neutrophils, metastatic breast cancer

Lucia del Mastro

 

Professor at University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino

Keywords: Breast Cancer Research, Oncology Innovation, Personalized Cancer Medicine

 

Marco Tagliamento

 

Medical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in Medical Oncology at the University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino.

Keywords: thoracic cancer, molecular medicine, liquid biopsy, personalized cancer medicine

Raffael Heiss

 

Professor of Health Policy & Communication at MCI, The Entrepreneurial School

Keywords: cancer prevention, obesity, diet, health policy, food systems research, food policy, health communication.

Maša Ždralević

 

Assistant Research Professor at the University of Montenegro

Keywords: Molecular Medicine, Liquid Biopsies, Colorectal Cancer, Early Detection, Oncology, Biomarkers

Our Researchers

Manuel Sarmiento Soto

Photo of Manuel Sarmiento

Associate Professor at University of Seville

Manuel Sarmiento earned a Biology degree in 2005 from the University of Seville, where he also completed a PhD, focusing on the impact of inflammation in Parkinson’s disease. His first postdoctoral research was conducted at the Department of Oncology at the University of Oxford, where he developed novel therapies against brain metastasis. A second postdoctoral position at Imperial College London involved creating innovative treatments for glioblastoma. In 2017, he was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship, which facilitated his return to the University of Seville. He currently holds an Associate Professor position, continuing his research in neuro-oncology.

Rocío Talaverón Aguilocho

Photo of Rocio Talaveron

Researcher at University of Seville

Rocío Talaverón Aguilocho obtained her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Seville in 2015, graduating summa cum laude and receiving the extraordinary doctoral prize that very same year. She completed two pre-doctoral stays, one at the University of Insubria in Italy, and another at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She then worked for seven years as a postdoctoral researcher in the Neurobiochemistry Group at the Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León, University of Salamanca. During this time, she received a project grant from the Spanish Association Against Cancer to develop her own line of research. At this stage, she also completed a postdoctoral stay at the University of Southampton. She is now working in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Seville, with a contract from Juan de la Cierva, collaborating on research with José Luis Venero and Manuel Sarmiento, studying glioblastoma and brain metastasis.

 

 

John Rowell

Photo of John Rowell

Strategic Director at the Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur

John Rowell is a seasoned leader in scientific research and innovation, currently serving as the Deputy Director and Director of Innovation and International Collaboration at IRCAN in Nice, France. With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge, John has cultivated a distinguished career at the intersection of cancer and aging research, biotechnology, and strategic consulting. He has held key roles in prominent institutions such as Université Côte d’Azur, Gustave Roussy, and Cancer Core Europe, where he has driven cutting-edge research initiatives and fostered international collaborations.
John’s expertise spans across a diverse range of scientific fields including stem cells, epigenetics, molecular biology, and biophysics. He is particularly skilled in innovation management, market evaluation, and strategic positioning within the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. His leadership at IRCAN focuses on amplifying the institute’s global impact through multidisciplinary research and comprehensive educational programs aimed at combating cancer and aging.

Jean Albrengues

Photo of Jean Albrengues

Scientist at the Institute of Research on Cancer and Ageing (IRCAN), Université Côte d’Azur

Jean Albrengues earned his PhD from the University Côte d’Azur in 2014, followed by postdoctoral training in New York until 2019. Since then, he has been a researcher at the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging, Nice (IRCAN). His research explores the interaction between cancer cells and their surrounding microenvironment, focusing on how this crosstalk influences cancer progression and treatment response. Jean’s work specifically examines the role of neutrophils, a type of inflammatory cell, in altering cancer cells’ sensitivity to anti-cancer therapies. By understanding how neutrophils interact with cancer cells, Jean aims to uncover new strategies to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Lucia del Mastro

Photo of Lucia del Mastro

Professor at University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino

Director of the Clinical Oncology unit since 2021 and Coordinator of the Breast Unit since 2017 at Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova Italy, Lucia Del Mastro is Full Professor of Oncology and Director of the Postgraduate School of Oncology at University of Genova, Italy. A medical oncologist specializing in breast cancer, her work involves various areas of research in oncology: from translational research to clinical research. She is the principal investigator of multicenter national academic phase II and III studies in metastatic and early breast cancer patients. She is member of the Scientific Committee of GIM (Gruppo Italiano Mammella, Italy) and Early Breast Cancer Trialists’ Cooperative Group (Oxford – Uk), chairperson of the steering committee of the AIOM (Associazione Italiana Oncologia Medica) recommendations for fertility preservation in cancer patients and she is a member of the steering committees of the AIOM and ESMO (European Society of Medical Oncology) guidelines for the management of early breast cancer (Ann Oncol. 2024;35:159-182).

Marco Tagliamento

Photo of Marco Tagliamento UniGE

Medical Oncologist and Assistant Professor in Medical Oncology at the University of Genoa and IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino.

He is former Research Fellow at the Gustave Roussy Institute (Villejuif, France) and Fellow of the International Lung Cancer Foundation. His main activity is in thoracic cancers, with special focus on molecular medicine, liquid biopsy, and personalized cancer medicine. He is part of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Lung Cancer Group and Young Investigators Group, member of the Young Cancer Professionals Group of the European Cancer Organisation, and active member of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). He is involved in drafting the national guidelines in Oncology for the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM). He is passionate about clinical and translational research. He has honed his training by attending the University Diploma in Translational and Clinical Research in Oncology and the Inter-University Diploma in Molecular Medicine in Oncology run by the University Paris-Saclay.

 

Raffael Heiss

Photo of Raffael Heiss

Professor of Health Policy & Communication at MCI, The Entrepreneurial School

Raffael Heiss is a professor at MCI’s Center for Social & Health Innovation and the Department of Nonprofit, Social & Health Management. He was a Fulbright Visiting Professor at Georgetown University in the fall of 2022. Before joining MCI, he was a PhD student and uni:docs fellow at the Department of Communication, University of Vienna. Raffael teaches courses in food policy, biostatistics, methods and project management. His research interests include food systems research, food policy, and health communication. He has been involved in several research projects in the areas of health literacy, school food environments, and health information for young people. Raffael is currently Principal Investigator of the project ”Health Influencers on Social Media” supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF).

Maša Ždralević

Photo of Maša Ždralević

Assistant Research Professor at the University of Montenegro

Dr. Maša Ždralević is a biochemist and molecular biologist, with a strong background in cancer research. She obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Salento in Italy and was a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute for Research on Cancer and Aging in Nice, France, where she explored the role of the glycolytic pathway in cancer. Currently serving as an Assistant Research Professor at the UoM, she leads the Molecular Medicine Laboratory at the Faculty of Medicine and is dedicated to enhancing the research infrastructure. Her research primarily focuses on translational biomedicine, with a particular interest in cancer metabolism. She has authored numerous research papers and book chapters and is an active member of several national and international research projects. In recognition of her work, she has received prestigious awards, including those from the UoM and the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, and was nominated as a national ESFRI delegate.

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