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Oct 20, 2024, 14:46

Estela Prasad-Varela was Awarded the Odile Schweisguth Prize for Excellence in Pediatric Oncology Research

Estela Prasad-Varela received the Odile Schweisguth Prize for her outstanding research in pediatric oncology.

She received the Schweisguth Prize for her research on ‘PRKG1 hinders myogenic differentiation and predicts response to AKT inhibitor Ipatasertib in Rhabdomyosarcoma’.

Estela Prasad-Varela

Odile Schweisguth Prize

The Odile Schweisguth Prize, established in 1978 by the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP), is awarded annually to recognize outstanding scientific articles authored by trainees in pediatric oncology.

Estela Prasad-Varela was Awarded the Odile Schweisguth Prize for Excellence in Pediatric Oncology Research

This prestigious award honors Dr. Odile Schweisguth, a pioneering French pediatric oncologist who co-founded SIOP in 1968 and served as its first president. Dr. Schweisguth was instrumental in advancing pediatric oncology, developing the first classification system for childhood tumors, and creating specific therapeutic protocols.

Her legacy includes nurturing a global network of professionals dedicated to improving cancer outcomes for children and adolescents. Even after her retirement, she maintained close relationships with over 500 former patients, whom she regarded as family. Her contributions continue to inspire new generations of oncologists worldwide.

Estela Prasad-Varela

Estela Prasad-Varela was Awarded the Odile Schweisguth Prize for Excellence in Pediatric Oncology Research

Estela Prasad-Varela is a researcher in the field of pediatric oncology, specializing in rhabdomyosarcoma. She completed her Pharmacy degree in 2014 from the University of Santiago de Compostela and pursued a master’s in Translational Biomedical Research at Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca in 2015.

In 2016 she joined Dr. Jaume Mora as a predoctoral researcher in the Developmental Tumors laboratory of the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital for the development of new targets and pharmacological opportunities in the treatment of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma.

In November 2021 she obtained the title of Doctor from the University of Barcelona, with her doctoral thesis “Target therapy in Rhabdomyosarcoma: Discovering new targets and opportunities”, directed by Dr. Jaume Mora (SJD) and Dr. Inmaculada Hernandez (IMIM ).

She currently works as a postdoctoral researcher in the Sarcomas and Histiocytosis group, included in the IRSJD Pediatric Cancer program.

SIOP International:

“Estela Prada-Varela received the honourable Schweisguth Prize for her research on ‘PRKG1 hinders myogenic differentiation and predicts response to AKT inhibitor Ipatasertib in Rhabdomyosarcoma’.”

Estela Prasad-Varela

Maite Gorostegui:

“Without any doubt, one of the best moments of SIOP 2024 was to see Estela Prada, PhD received the Schweisguth Prize. If you were there sure you were impressed by her research in Rhabdomyosarcoma, but also by the way she communicated it, with passion and an extraordinary mind. I feel a genuine admiration and gratitude that researchers like Estela exist.”

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