Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski | Cancer Research | Best Researcher Award

Instructor | Md Anderson Cancer Center | United States

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski is a biomedical scientist with expertise in cancer biology, proteomics, and immunology, currently serving as Instructor in Experimental Therapeutics at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her career has been dedicated to understanding the tumor microenvironment, with a particular focus on the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular vesicles in shaping cancer progression and immune responses. She has received international recognition for her contributions, including prestigious fellowships and scientific achievement awards. Throughout her career, Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski has actively contributed to advancing translational cancer research, combining molecular biology, proteomics, and immunology approaches to uncover mechanisms of tumor–stroma interactions. She has delivered invited talks at international conferences, published impactful studies, and secured competitive research funding to support her independent projects. Beyond research, she has contributed to the scientific community as a reviewer for high-impact journals and as an active member of international professional societies. Passionate about mentorship, she has trained young researchers and medical students, supporting their career development. Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski continues to pursue innovative strategies to translate fundamental discoveries into potential therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of improving cancer patient outcomes and contributing to the next generation of cancer treatments.

Publication Profile

Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Education

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski pursued her academic training across leading institutions in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States, building a strong foundation in biological sciences, biotechnology, and cancer research. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences with distinction, followed by specialization studies in biotechnology that strengthened her technical expertise in experimental methodologies. Her postgraduate education included a master’s degree in biosciences and biotechnology at the Carlos Chagas Institute FIOCRUZ, where she developed advanced research skills in molecular biology and proteomics. She later obtained her doctoral degree in Cancer Sciences through a joint program with the University of Glasgow and Cancer Research UK, where she specialized in tumor microenvironment studies using proteomic approaches. Her doctoral research uncovered critical insights into hypoxia-driven mechanisms of cancer progression, setting the stage for her later career. She continued her training with prestigious postdoctoral fellowships at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, where she deepened her expertise in immunology, extracellular vesicle biology, and tumor–stroma interactions. This academic trajectory provided her with a multidisciplinary perspective, combining rigorous basic science with translational research, and shaped her vision of addressing key questions in oncology by integrating molecular mechanisms, proteomics, and immunology into innovative cancer therapeutic strategies.

Professional Experience

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski has developed an outstanding professional trajectory in translational cancer research through academic appointments and postdoctoral training at globally renowned institutions. She currently serves as Instructor in the Department of Experimental Therapeutics at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, where her work focuses on dissecting the tumor microenvironment and advancing therapeutic strategies targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts. Before assuming her current faculty role, she completed a prestigious postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Immunology, also at UT MD Anderson, where she investigated the complex interplay between the immune system and stromal compartments of tumors. Prior to that, she was awarded an Odyssey Fellowship in the Department of Cancer Biology, where she pioneered proteomic approaches to characterize the role of hypoxia and fibroblast-derived exosomes in tumor progression. These professional experiences reflect her capacity to conduct independent, cutting-edge research while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. In addition to her research responsibilities, she has been actively engaged in academic service, including representing postdoctoral scholars on institutional committees and contributing to policy development. She has also played a vital role in training and mentoring junior scientists, medical students, and research assistants, demonstrating her dedication to advancing both scientific discovery and academic leadership in oncology.

Research Interest

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski’s research interests lie at the interface of cancer biology, proteomics, and immunology, with a strong focus on the tumor microenvironment. Her work seeks to understand how cancer-associated fibroblasts, particularly specialized subsets, contribute to tumor progression, immune modulation, and therapeutic resistance. By applying advanced proteomic techniques, she investigates how hypoxia and metabolic stress alter fibroblast behavior, shaping the tumor ecosystem in ways that promote angiogenesis, immune evasion, and metastasis. Another key area of her research is the study of extracellular vesicles and their proteomic signatures as biomarkers for cancer detection and monitoring. She is particularly interested in identifying universal molecular signatures within exosomes that may serve as diagnostic tools or therapeutic targets. Her long-term research vision is to bridge basic discoveries with translational applications, using insights from tumor biology to inform new therapeutic strategies that disrupt the supportive role of stromal cells in cancer. Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski’s interdisciplinary approach reflects her commitment to integrating molecular technologies, systems biology, and immuno-oncology in pursuit of innovative interventions. Ultimately, her research aims to provide actionable knowledge that enhances cancer treatment, contributes to biomarker discovery, and improves clinical outcomes for patients facing aggressive and treatment-resistant tumors.

Research Skills

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski possesses a broad range of research skills developed through extensive academic training and international collaborations. She is highly proficient in quantitative proteomics, mass spectrometry and secretomics, with expertise in applying these techniques to characterize tumor and stromal cell interactions. Her technical skills extend to immunology, including cellular assays, immune profiling, and the functional analysis of immune–stromal interactions within the tumor microenvironment. She is experienced in designing and executing experiments that explore extracellular vesicle biology, biomarker discovery, and the functional roles of stromal cell subsets in cancer progression. Her background also includes molecular and cell biology methodologies, such as reverse genetics, protein interaction studies, and advanced imaging techniques. In addition to her laboratory expertise, Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski has cultivated strong skills in scientific communication, project management, and research leadership, enabling her to lead independent research projects supported by competitive grants. She has also demonstrated competency in mentoring and supervising trainees, guiding them in technical training and scientific thinking. Her interdisciplinary skill set allows her to effectively integrate high-throughput proteomic data with biological insights, advancing both fundamental understanding and translational applications in oncology. This versatile expertise positions her as a leader in tumor microenvironment and cancer systems biology research.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski has been recognized with numerous honors and awards that reflect her scientific excellence, leadership, and commitment to advancing cancer research. Early in her career, she was awarded competitive scholarships that supported her advanced studies in biotechnology and biosciences, laying the foundation for her professional development. Her doctoral research was supported by a prestigious international fellowship, highlighting her potential to contribute to the global scientific community. During her PhD and postdoctoral training, she received multiple travel grants and poster awards from leading scientific organizations, acknowledging the quality and innovation of her research on hypoxia and tumor biology. She was also selected for institutional and international fellowships that recognized both her scientific achievement and her promise as an independent investigator. Among her most notable distinctions are competitive postdoctoral fellowships in cancer research and immunology, as well as prizes for excellence in scientific presentations and poster competitions at major international meetings. These accolades underscore her ability to conduct pioneering research, communicate her findings effectively, and inspire peers within the scientific community. Collectively, these honors highlight her trajectory as a rising leader in translational cancer research and her continued dedication to scientific advancement.

Author Metrics

• Total Publications: 20

• Total Citations: 3,872

• h-index: 12

• i10-index: 15

Publications Top Notes

1. B cells and tertiary lymphoid structures promote immunotherapy response
Citations: 2338 | Year: 2020

2. Quantitative proteomics identifies the core proteome of exosomes with syntenin-1 as the highest abundant protein and a putative universal biomarker
Citations: 438 | Year: 2021

3. Cancer associated fibroblasts: the architects of stroma remodeling
Citations: 283 | Year: 2018

4. Exosomes as mediators of immune regulation and immunotherapy in cancer
Citations: 195 | Year: 2021

5. Exosome-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas9 for targeting of oncogenic KrasG12D in pancreatic cancer
Citations: 176 | Year: 2021

Conclusion

Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski stands out as a dynamic scientist whose career integrates rigorous academic training, impactful research, and meaningful contributions to the scientific community. Her work exemplifies the translation of fundamental discoveries in cancer biology into strategies that hold therapeutic promise, particularly in understanding the tumor microenvironment and its role in shaping disease progression. Through her innovative use of proteomics and immunology, she has generated valuable insights into the behavior of cancer-associated fibroblasts and extracellular vesicles, with implications for diagnostics and treatment development. Beyond her research achievements, she has been an active contributor to institutional service, peer review, and international scientific societies, reflecting her commitment to advancing the broader biomedical research landscape. Her role as a mentor further highlights her dedication to cultivating the next generation of scientists and clinicians. With a strong record of scholarly recognition, research funding, and leadership potential, Dr. Fernanda Grande Kugeratski is well-positioned to continue making significant contributions to translational oncology. Her professional journey illustrates both excellence and vision, establishing her as a promising leader whose research will continue to drive innovation and improve outcomes for cancer patients worldwide.