Lab members

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Current Members

IUNE TOLEDO

Lab manager

Iune found her passion for biomedical research while studying Biochemistry at the University of Navarra. After discovering her path in science, she decided to pursue an MSc in Drug Research, Development and Innovation. In those years, she had the opportunity to work in different research projects in two areas: cancer and cardiac fibrosis. Now, she is excited to contribute to the group’s work in cancer and regeneration, while continuing to grow and learn as a scientist. Outside the lab, Iune loves nature and trying new sports, even if she is not always the best at them!

DR. GUILLERMO YAÑEZ

Postdoctoral researcher

Guillermo earned a dual degree in Industrial and Mining Engineering from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) in Santiago. After an internship in the statistics department of the Central Bank of Chile, he worked for six years in investment banking and the retail industry before moving into academia. He completed an MSc in Synthetic Biology with Tim Rudge at PUC, developing data management systems for organizing gene expression data from synthetic gene circuits. He then pursued a PhD with Tim Rudge at Newcastle University (UK), investigating gene expression pattern formation in microbial biofilms through mathematical and computational modelling, advanced microscopy, microfluidics, and image-based parameter inference. He now applies his engineering and quantitative skills to breast cancer research as a member of Amaia Cipitria’s group. In his free time, he enjoys a wide variety of sports, particularly downhill mountain biking, snowboarding and year-round hiking in the mountains.

DR. IRATI AIESTARAN

Postdoctoral researcher

After earning a BSc in Biochemistry at the University of Navarra, Irati moved to Barcelona to complete a MSc in Cytogenetics. She then transitioned into the business sector, joining Bexen Medical, where she prepared technical documentation for medical devices to obtain EU CE marking. Her passion for research began when she received a Basque Government fellowship to complete an internship at QPS Austria GmbH (now part of the Scantox Group). There, she joined the In Vivo Research Department, working with rodent models and contributing to numerous preclinical studies—an experience that sparked her curiosity and commitment to scientific discovery. Returning to her hometown, Irati pursued a PhD in Molecular Biology and Biomedicine at CIC biomaGUNE, where she specialized in in vivo molecular imaging. Now, she is eager to bring her expertise into the field of cancer research, joining Amaia’s group as a postdoctoral researcher. Her work combines a strong dedication to in vivo research, cancer awareness, and translational medicine, with the goal of advancing scientific knowledge into real-world applications. Outside the lab, Irati enjoys good food, going to concerts, traveling, and hiking.

DR. SERGIO PINEDA

Postdoctoral researcher

Sergio earned his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Engineering from Manuela Beltrán University in Bogotá, Colombia, where he conducted research on materials for bone tissue regeneration under the guidance of Dr. Andrés Bernal Ballén. After graduation, he joined Merck, Sharp & Dohme as a Clinical Data Manager, working on cancer immunotherapy clinical trials for endometrial and prostate cancer. His experiences in both clinical and academic research inspired him to pursue a Ph.D. at the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK, USA), where he developed a shape memory polymer for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms with Dr. Chung-Hao Lee. Driven to continue advancing aneurysm research, Sergio moved to the University of Minnesota for postdoctoral training, investigating the role of inflammation in the rupture mechanics of human cerebral aneurysms with Dr. Patrick Alford and Dr. Andrew Grande. During this time, he was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship by the American Heart Association. Through these projects, Sergio gained extensive experience with diverse imaging modalities for biomaterials and tissues, such as electron and advanced light microscopy, which sparked a deep passion for microscopy. This passion led him to join our group, where he is further developing his expertise in advanced microscopy techniques, including optical clearing and light sheet microscopy, while returning to cancer research in an academic setting. Outside the lab, Sergio enjoys reading novels, playing piano and guitar, practicing photography, and exploring both cities and nature.

LAURA MASETTO

Doctoral researcher (co-PI Dr. Oihane Mitxelena)

Laura obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering and a Master’s in Industrial Bioengineering at the University of Padova (Italy), focusing on Biomaterials study. After an Erasmus+ experience at IQS in Barcelona, that broadened her academic knowledge with biotechnology and led her to grow personally, she completed her Master’s thesis on 3D printable scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. She later worked as a research fellow at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, developing 3D in vitro hydrogel-based models for ovarian cancer treatment, which fuelled her motivation to pursue research and to contribute to developing innovative bioengineering approaches for cancer studies. Now, as a PhD student at the Cipitria Lab, she is enthusiastic and committed to advancing breast cancer dormancy in vitro modelling through hydrogels and microfluidic tools. When not in the lab, you’ll probably find her outdoors, surrounded by nature and animals.

SOPHIE ANUTH

Doctoral researcher (co-PI Dr. Bernhard Hesse)

Sophie studied Materials Science with a focus on Biomaterials at the Technical University Berlin, driven by a fascination for structure-function relationships on multiple scales. This topic already captivated her during her time as an architecture student and let her into her current field of research. Her Master´s Thesis at Xploraytion GmbH, where she continued working as a research assistant afterwards, allowed her to gain insights into biomaterials analysis utilizing synchrotron-based micro and nano CT – and made her fall in love with the material bone. She is now extremly excited to be able to apply and grow her knowledge on both aspects in the field of tissue regeneration and cancer research at Amaia Cipitria´s group! Apart from bones, she loves good food, good fantasy novels and ballet.

DR. JOSÉ MIGUEL PARDO

Postdoctoral researcher

José Miguel earned his BSc in Biotechnology and his MSc in Biotechnology from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), prior to starting his thesis project at the Príncipe Felipe Research Center Foundation (CIPF), becoming member of the Rosa Farràs’ Lab. His PhD involved studying oncogenic signaling, cancer stem cells and the development of patient-derived primary cultures. During his PhD, he enjoyed a short-stay at the Hubrecht Institute (Netherlands) in order to learn how to grow organoids. After gaining his PhD in Biotechnology from the UPV in 2021, he decided to take a break from academia in order to try teaching. He then became a specialist teacher in cell culture for three years. However, vocation for science grew back stronger than ever and he tried to come back to academia, despite knowing how difficult this could be. Finally, he is back as a postdoctoral researcher in Amaia Cipitria’s group, where he will shed light on culturing patient-derived breast cancer samples together with the exciting models already developed in the lab. José Miguel loves his hometown, Villena, caring for animals, cycling, discovering new places and everything involving culture, specially literature, rock music, theatre and cinema.

ROCÍO CÁRDENAS

Doctoral researcher (co-PI Dr. Fernando López)

After studying Biotechnology at the Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, Rocío completed a 9-month internship at the University of Trieste (Italy) in the field of Nutritional Biochemistry, thanks to the Erasmus+ program. Her love for cellular biology led her to pursue a Master’s in Tissue Engineering and Advanced Therapies at the University of Granada, where she discovered her passion for the fields of regenerative medicine and advanced therapies. With the aim of contributing to this ground-breaking fields, she decided to join Amaia Cipitria’s group, where she is pursuing her doctoral thesis in collaboration with Fernando López at CIC biomaGUNE, with the aim of developing biocatalytic materials for their application in biomedicine. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading as well as traveling and exploring new places.

JONE BERASAIN

Doctoral researcher (co-PI Dr. Robert Aguirresarobe)

Jone is a biologist who studied at the University of the Basque Country. Throughout her academic journey, a profound passion for histology and cellular biology led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Tissue Engineering and Advanced Therapies in Granada. During this program, Jone focused extensively on working with biomaterials, functionalizing them mechanically and immunologically. This experience not only deepened her awareness of the potential of Advanced Therapies but also her determination to excel in this field. Her excitement for contributing to the cutting-edge field of regenerative medicine and exploring new avenues in biomaterials and cellular therapies, led her to join Amaia Cipitria’s lab to pursue a doctoral thesis on injectable hydrogels for CAR-T cell therapies. She loves traveling in her camper van and discovering hidden places to relax and be surrounded by nature.

LAURA FALLERT

Doctoral researcher (co-PI Dr. Dorleta Jiménez)

Laura obtained her BSc in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Maastricht and pursued her MSc in Oncology at the Vrije University of Amsterdam. During her Master´s, she performed her minor internship at the Leiden University Medical Center to evaluate the performance of a enzyme-activatable fluorescent probe for breast cancer resection. For her Master’s Thesis at the Cancer Center Amsterdam, she developed a 3D cell culture model to explore the potential of exosome inhibition to restore treatment response in breast cancer cells. Determined to be a driving force in this field of research, she joined Amaia Cipitria´s group as a doctoral researcher and in collaboration with Dorleta Jiménez at CIC biomaGUNE. She will develop 3D printed breast cancer models to monitor drug response and investigate bone as well as lung metastatic events, aiming to develop a platform for personalized therapy. During her free time, she likes to get creative on paper as well as in the kitchen and enjoys any beach related activity.

DR. OIHANE MITXELENA

Postdoctoral researcher

After obtaining a BSc in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Navarra, Oihane moved to London to increase her knowledge with the MSc in Nanotechnology and Regenerative Medicine at the University College London (UCL). She returned to her hometown to do her PhD in Applied Engineering at the University of Navarra, where she developed microfluidic platforms for the validation of new targeted therapies in personalized medicine against osteosarcoma. Following her passion for regenerative medicine, she joined Amaia Cipitria’s group as a postdoctoral researcher. She loves nature and adventures, so you can find her excited in any amusement park or thinking about new experiences such as skydiving!

UNAI HERAS

Doctoral researcher (co-PI Dr. Oihane Mitxelena)

After finishing his Master’s Thesis in our group working with bone mimicking 3D-printed scaffolds for breast cancer models, Unai decided to start his PhD on 3D-bioengineered models to analyse cell-ECM interactions in dormancy-inducing and early metastasis engineered microenvironments. He graduated in Industrial Engineering at University of the Basque Country, where he worked as an intern student with 3D printers, 3D scans and digital software for biomedical applications. His strong interest in biomedical research led him to study a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering, expanding his knowledge to biomaterials, cell culture or cancer. Born in the Basque Country he loves the mountains and the sea, but where you could best know him is in any event with music.