My research focuses on Translational Spatial Pediatric Oncology, with a primary emphasis on high-risk childhood cancers such as neuroblastoma. While medical advancements have improved survival rates for many young patients, those with high-risk disease often face a "clinical paradox": they suffer from the long-term toxic effects of intensive treatments, yet still face a high risk of life-threatening relapse. The core of my work is to understand the spatial ecosystem of these tumors. Rather than looking at a tumor as a simple mass of identical cells, I use Spatial Transcriptomics to map the precise location of different cell types and how they communicate with one another. This will enable identification of biomarkers and novel therapeutic vulnerabilities.
Ultimately, this research aims to transform routine hospital biopsies into high-dimensional diagnostic tools, making precision medicine faster, more affordable, and more effective for children with cancer.