Dr Julia Moreno-Vicente

BSc (UAB), MSc (Nottingham), MRes (Southampton), PhD (Southampton)

Postdoctoral Affiliate

College Roles

Postdoctoral Affiliate

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Biography

Dr Julia Moreno-Vicente studied Biomedical Sciences at the Autonomous University of Barcelona in Spain, before moving to the UK to complete a Masters degree in Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology at the University of Nottingham. Dr Moreno-Vicente continued to specialise in Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, and moved to the University of Southampton for her PhD. Her PhD focussed on determining the mechanisms of action of monoclonal antibodies targeting “checkpoint” protein PD-1 on the surface of immune cells. Dr Moreno-Vicente is now a Research Associate at the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Institute, in the combined labs of Dr Timotheus Halim and Professor James Brenton.

Research Interests

Dr Moreno-Vicente has developed a keen interest and expertise in the field of Cancer Immunology. Following her move to Cambridge, Dr Moreno-Vicente is currently researching the interplay between stromal cells, such as fibroblasts, and immune cells in the context of ovarian cancer, and how these interactions contribute to the initiation of metastasis. Recent studies point towards a cooperative loop whereby cancer cells hijak stromal- and immune-cell functions to facilitate metastatic growth. By using advanced immunological techniques and animal models, her project aims to establish the critical interactions that lead to an impaired immune recognition and attack towards invading ovarian cancer cells. In parallel, she will characterise the immune and stromal cells present within metastatic lesions from advanced ovarian cancer patients, to further understand what immune suppressive pathways may be at play in human ovarian cancer.

Dr Moreno-Vicente is particularly interested in translating the knowledge gained from her work into potential new treatments for cancer. In particular, she aspires to be a group leader in the field of Cancer Immunology, and wishes to focus on immunotherapy for difficult-to-treat brain cancers.