Our professionals

Dr. Marta Alonso
Co-director of the Solid Tumors Program.
Principal Investigator of the Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Solid Tumors research group.
Biologist.
Special focus on the development of advanced therapies for pediatric solid tumors.
Professional career
Degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Navarra, 1997. PhD in Health Sciences from the Public University of Navarra, 2001.
Has completed research stays at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, USA) and Texas Children’s Hospital – Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, USA).
Since 2010, she has been part of the Department of Pediatrics at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra and the Solid Tumors Program at Cima Universidad de Navarra.
Specialized in the development of oncolytic viruses for pediatric brain tumors.
Principal Investigator of the Advanced Therapies for Pediatric Solid Tumors research group, within the Solid Tumors Program.
RESEARCH AREAS
Has participated in more than 30 research projects, serving as principal investigator in 22 of them. Notable competitive projects have been funded by the European Union (ERC Consolidator Grant), the U.S. Department of Defense, the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the Carlos III Health Institute, the Government of Navarra, and private organizations.
Co-inventor of two patents, some of which are currently in clinical phases for the treatment of brain tumors.
AREAS OF INTEREST
- Development of new oncolytic viruses for the treatment of solid pediatric tumors.
- Study of the mechanisms of interaction between oncolytic viruses, the microenvironment and the response to them.
- Development of clinical trials based on oncolytic viruses alone or in combination with different therapeutic strategies for pediatric solid tumors.
- Study of the underlying biology in AT/RTs, PNETs, pediatric gliomas and diffuse midline gliomas.
Activity
In teaching
- Has supervised six doctoral theses, one of which received the Extraordinary Doctorate Award from the University of Navarra.
- Has contributed to the writing of four book chapters.
In research
- Has participated in the publication of more than 60 scientific articles in international journals and in more than 50 communications to national/international congresses.

Premios
- Ha obtenido una ‘Consolidator Grant’ por parte del Consejo Europeo de Investigación (ERC).
Organismos científicos
- American Association for Cancer Research (AACR).
- Society for Neuro-Oncology (SNO).
More information
Latest scientific publications
- Targeting the CD40 costimulatory receptor to improve virotherapy efficacy in diffuse midline gliomas Jul 15, 2025 | Magazine: Cell Reports Medicine
- Co-targeting of epigenetic regulators and BCL-XL improves efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in multiple solid tumors May 30, 2025 | Magazine: Molecular Cancer