Irene Felipe is a cancer researcher in the Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, where she investigates the molecular mechanisms driving pancreatic cancer initiation and progression. Her research combines molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and genetically engineered mouse models to study how endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and epithelial plasticity promote pancreatic tumor development.
Throughout her career, she has contributed to advancing the understanding of genome instability, sarcoma biology, MYC-driven cancers, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using models ranging from yeast to mice. Her current work focuses on identifying the earliest molecular events underlying pancreatic carcinogenesis to uncover novel targets for cancer prevention in high-risk individuals.
Irene has published in leading scientific journals and is currently the Deputy Scientific Lead of the European Horizon EIC Pathfinder project PROPANTHERA, which aims to develop innovative organ-preserving strategies for pancreatic cancer treatment. She also contributes to scientific leadership by mentoring students, coordinating multidisciplinary collaborations, and participating in international research initiatives.
Passionate about science communication, she organizes outreach activities and is an active member of several scientific associations, including ALIPANC. Her long-term goal is to translate fundamental discoveries into precision prevention strategies that improve outcomes for individuals at risk of pancreatic cancer.