Dr. Joana Utrera

Dr. Joana Utrera is a molecular biologist specialized in precision oncology. She is scientist by training and owns a PhD in cell plasticity and regeneration mechanisms, which outcomes have been featured in several scientific publications, posters and conference talks. Genomics, transcriptomics, flow cytometry, electron microscopy, protein-binding and molecular expression assays, in-situ hybridization and tissue arrays encompass her investigational work in the laboratory and in collaboration with several research groups at the University of Barcelona.

After her doctorate, end of 2010, she moved to the healthcare industry, motivated by the wish of concentrating efforts on bringing the research to the next level, translating laboratory discoveries into clinical solutions that benefited the patients.

Today, as an experienced professional in Life Sciences and Oncology business at the medical device, in-vitro diagnostic and biopharma industry for more than 13 years now, her leadership acumen alongside a strong focus on healthcare professionals’ collaboration and support, has resulted in more than 90 full-fledged projects in the healthcare space. Many of those within the framework of product launch campaigns and strategic marketing plans, always rolled out under a cross-functional and multicultural teamwork. It is worth noting that she led the go-to-market project for the first cancer liquid biopsy with the highest sensitivity, when liquid biopsy raised as a breakthrough diagnostic test guiding oncologists in patient cancer management. As result of this dedication, in 2016 and 2017 her work was acknowledged and awarded for her attainments in sales and quality of work.

Given her constant learning mindset, Joana is also master in international business administration, project manager by UC Berkeley, master in precision oncology and big data, and master in clinical trials administration. Moreover, she’s advisor for science and tech transfer, and co-author in the book “Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine, and AI: Toward the Dream of Global Health Care Equivalency”.

Passionate about advancing in cancer management, with a positive mindset in the science and technology space, she values the ecosystem that the myriad of opportunities cancer research can offer to the patients, hence she is also involved in medical affairs, managing teams at the frontline in clinical trials planification and execution.

She strives to boost the precision medicine advances towards a more efficient and predictive healthcare management. Currently, she works in business development and clinical operations to expedite the cancer research by artificial intelligence, advanced molecular analysis like next generation sequencing and by the intertwined partnerships and collaborations, which for her are considered as the cornerstone for the personalized medicine to advance.