Costa News Spain awards Soroptimist grant to groundbreaking cancer research

Maria Carmen Banqueri Pegalajar, a passionate researcher in the field of cancer biology at the University of Málaga has received the Soroptimist International of Europe Scholarship 2024-25. 

She recently completed her master’s dissertation, which focused on new therapeutic options for triple-negative cancer. This subtype is difficult to treat, as it has a high resistance to chemotherapy and other conventional treatments. 

Maria Carmen’s work aims at identifying and characterising natural compounds that may modulate key cancer processes, and could be the foundation of future treatment options for clinical trials.

Maria Carmen, driven by her deep interest in cancer science and the urgent need for innovative treatment options, focused her research efforts on the discovery of natural compounds that target the processes which make triple-negative cancers so aggressive. She explains that triple-negative cancer is different from other subtypes in that it has a unique characteristic which makes conventional treatment less effective. This not only leads to a more uncertain outcome for patients but also increases urgency in finding better therapeutic strategies. 

Maria Carmen discovered the Soroptimist International of Europe scholarship during her research trip.

The scholarship of €6,000 provides Maria Carmen with essential financial support, allowing her to concentrate fully on her research without the distractions of financial worries. 

Maria Carmen’s ambitions are firmly rooted within cancer research. She says that her goal is to help discover new compounds to slow down disease progression and ultimately improve outcomes for patients. Maria Carmen’s career aspirations are centered on biomedical and medical research. She hopes to make a difference in the lives cancer sufferers.

For more information visit their website: costadelsol.soroptimist.es or send an email to soroptimist.costadelsol@gmail.com and follow the association on Facebook and Instagram: Soroptimist International Costa del Sol.