The Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía Centre for Genomics and Oncology Research (GENyO) announces this appointment, replacing Dr José Antonio Lorente.

Dr. Marta E. Alarcón Riquelme, principal investigator of the “Genetics of Complex Diseases” group, assumes the scientific direction of GENyO after the last meeting of the Governing Council of the centre, thus replacing Professor José Antonio Lorente, who has held the post since the foundation of the centre.

Marta Alarcón, who graduated in medicine from La Salle University in Mexico City in 1985, has a distinguished career in the field of medicine and scientific research. The new scientific director of GENyO completed her PhD in Immunology in 1994 and after a research career at the University of Uppsala (Sweden) and in the United States, she joined the centre in 2011, where she has held key roles as coordinator of the Genomic Medicine area and deputy director of the GENyO centre.

With an outstanding list of achievements, Alarcón has contributed significantly to the advancement of scientific knowledge, with more than 230 original papers published, numerous literature reviews and presentations at national and international level. In addition to supervising 16 doctoral theses, he has supervised numerous postdoctoral researchers, consolidating his leadership in the field of medical research.

It has also demonstrated its ability to obtain both national and international funding for major research projects and has participated in initiatives such as Horizon 2020, the Marie Sklodowska Curie programme and the Innovative Medicines Initiative programme of the European Union with large-scale projects such as PRECISESADS (2014-2019) and currently the 3TR project (2019-2026). The latter has a budget of 80 million euros and the active participation of nine international pharmaceutical companies.

Commenting on her appointment, Dr Alarcón Riquelme said: “I am excited and honoured to take on this new role at the centre. My commitment is to continue fostering a collaborative research environment and to promote and secure our future together.

For its part, the Board of Trustees has expressed its gratitude and recognition to José Antonio Lorente Acosta in the creation and scientific development of the GENyO Centre, highlighting both his professional excellence and his personal dedication. Lorente will continue to contribute to the scientific growth of the centre as Principal Investigator of the “Liquid Biopsy and Cancer Interception” group.

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