Project Description

Sandra obtained her BSc in Biomedical Sciences in 2024 from the University of Barcelona (Spain). During her degree, she developed a strong interest in understanding the mechanisms governing human biology and disease. For her Bachelor thesis, she joined the University of Antwerp (Belgium), where she investigated the immune mechanisms underlying post-COVID syndrome. Motivated to deepen her expertise, Sandra pursued an MSc in Advanced Immunology at the University of Barcelona and the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She conducted her Master thesis at IRB Barcelona, focusing on the biology of innate immune cells. Throughout her academic training, she remained increasingly drawn to cancer immunobiology, a field where her interests in immunology and cancer biology naturally converged.

In 2025, Sandra began her PhD in the laboratory of Prof. Kristian Pietras at Lund University. Her doctoral project focuses on how the tumor microenvironment is organized, with particular attention to cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) niches and their contribution to metastatic dissemination. By integrating spatial and single-cell technologies, she investigates how stromal and immune components communicate within metastatic niches.

Sandra feels genuinely happy to be part of the ADAPTMET community. Being surrounded by a dedicated group of fellow PhD students and leading experts in the field represents an exceptional opportunity for her scientific and personal growth. She deeply values the collaborative and interdisciplinary atmosphere, where everyone works toward a shared scientific goal. Through ADAPTMET and her work in the Pietras laboratory, she aims to deepen the understanding of metastatic progression and contribute to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.