The Spanish Association Against Cancer in Ciudad Real has awarded a new pre-doctoral grant, this time to the researcher in training at the Mathematical Oncology Laboratory (MOLAB) of the University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM) José Antonio Romero, which will be used to promote a project aimed at creating mathematical models to learn more about the behavior of glioblastomas, fast-growing and aggressive brain tumors.

The grant was presented this morning at a ceremony held in the main hall of the Polytechnic Building of the Ciudad Real Campus and was attended by the predoctoral researcher José Antonio Romero; his thesis director, UCLM professor Gabriel Fernández; the head of MOLAB, Víctor Manuel Pérez; the president of the Spanish Association Against Cancer in Ciudad Real, Marciano Sánchez; and various local and provincial political authorities.

This pre-doctoral grant consists of an economic endowment of 100,600 euros and will have a maximum duration of up to four years, which will allow research into new lines of treatment for glioblastoma to continue, as well as promoting talent and consolidating the cancer research and innovation system in Spain. 

pecifically, this project aims to create mathematical models capable of simulating real tumors in order to discover the mechanisms used by glioblastoma to increase its aggressiveness and resistance, together with treatments that can prevent it.

Moments before receiving the diploma with the grant, José Antonio Romero thanked the Spanish Association Against Cancer, especially its delegation in Ciudad Real, for the work they do and the "immense opportunity" they give him to investigate glioblastoma, a tumor that is highly resistant to current treatments. For Romero, this grant is a "great responsibility" because "it comes from the funds that the association receives from individuals for research into something that can be useful for society as a whole".

At the presentation, Marciano Sánchez said that "it is always an honor for us to be able to support young researchers who work with the aim of improving the quality of life of patients and their families, as well as increasing cancer survival. At the Ciudad Real headquarters we are convinced of the importance of supporting young people with the aim of retaining young talent in our province".