Victoria Sanz-Moreno facts for kids

Meet Victoria Sanz Moreno, a brilliant Spanish scientist! She is a professor who studies cancer cells and how they spread in the body. She works at The Institute of Cancer Research, helping us understand more about cancer.

Victoria's Early Life

Victoria was born in London, England. Her dad was a chemist, and her mom was an English teacher. After her dad finished his studies, her family moved back to Spain.

Victoria went to the University of Oviedo in Spain, where she studied chemistry and biochemistry. She earned her master's degree there. Later, she got her PhD in chemical sciences from the University of Cantabria, working in a lab with Professor Piero Crespo.

Victoria's Career in Science

After finishing her studies, Victoria worked for a short time at the University of Cantabria. Then, she became a special researcher, called a 'fellow,' at the Institute of Cancer Research in London. She worked with Professor Chris Marshall, supported by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and a Marie Curie scholarship.

In 2011, she received a special grant from CRUK to help her career. This allowed her to start her own research team at King's College London. Her team focused on how cells move and how cancer spreads.

In 2017, Victoria received another important fellowship from CRUK. In 2018, she became a professor of cancer cell biology at Barts Cancer Institute, which is part of Queen Mary University of London. Barts Charity helped fund her work there. In 2023, she returned to The Institute of Cancer Research. She is now a Professor of Cancer Cell and Metastasis Biology, leading a team that studies how the 'skeleton' of cells helps cancer spread.

Victoria also helps other women in science. In 2014, she joined Cancer Research UK's 'Women of Influence' group. This group helps female cancer scientists grow in their careers.

Awards and Recognition

Victoria Sanz Moreno has received many awards for her important work:

• In 2008, she received the Applied Biosystems and EACR 40th Anniversary Research Award.
• She was a finalist for the CRUK Communications and Brand Ambassador Prize in 2015.
• In 2017, she received the BSCB Women in Cell Biology Early Career Medal.
• In 2019, she received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Colegio Inmaculada in Asturias, Spain.
• In 2021, she was chosen to be part of a phone app called "La Ruta de las Cientificas" (The Route of Female Scientists) along with eight other female scientists. You can find the app here: La Ruta de las Cientificas.
• In 2022, she received the VP Award for Research Excellence from QMUL Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry.
• Also in 2022, she received the Estela Medrano Memorial Award from the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR). You can read more about it here: Professor Victoria Sanz Moreno recognised for major contributions in the fight against melanoma.
• In 2022, she also received the Outstanding Contribution to Research Excellence Award at Barts Cancer Institute.
• In 2025, Victoria was a finalist for the Falling Walls Foundation Science Breakthrough of the Year in the Life Sciences Category. You can see the shortlist here: Falling Walls Science Summit Shortlist.

See also

In Spanish: Victoria Sanz Moreno para niños