Daniel Fernando Alonso is an Argentine doctor and researcher who graduated in medicine from the National University of Rosario (UNR) in 1989.
He is currently affiliated with the National University of Quilmes (UNQ), and his main contributions belong to the fields of medical sciences, oncology, non-endemic diseases, and public health.
Alonso has made significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in oncology. His achievements throughout his career have earned him numerous distinctions.
Alonso and his connection to science
After graduating as a medical doctor from the National University of Rosario and obtaining his PhD at the Ángel H. Roffo Institute of Oncology, part of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), Alonso was invited to the United States as a Visiting Fellow at the National Cancer Institute.
This title is granted to highly trained scholars in scientific research and international collaboration.
The National Cancer Institute is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health and is dedicated to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as to promoting public access to information and new therapeutic practices.
Upon returning to Argentina, Alonso joined the National University of Quilmes, where he served as director of the Biotechnology program. He remains affiliated with the university as a professor of Cell and Molecular Biology. He is also the director of the Molecular Oncology Laboratory and a key member of the Center for Molecular and Translational Oncology (COMTRA), under the Department of Science and Technology at UNQ.
The Molecular Oncology Laboratory focuses on antitumor activity research, especially the effects of plant extracts with antitumor properties and their interaction with cancer cells. Meanwhile, COMTRA concentrates on molecular and cellular studies related to cancer.
Beyond his work as a professor and researcher, Alonso is the author of over one hundred scientific papers, including both research articles and science outreach publications, not only in Argentina but also in the United States and Europe.
The Houssay Award
Alonso has received the Houssay Award twice. This prestigious distinction is granted by Argentina’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to researchers with outstanding careers. It is considered one of the most important recognitions in Argentine science.
He received the award in the field of medical sciences. Throughout his career, Alonso has emphasized the importance of sharing medical and scientific knowledge with the general public.
He has spoken publicly about the essential role of science communication, especially in helping the population understand diseases like cancer and the importance of early prevention.
Cancer research in Argentina
Among Alonso’s most notable achievements is his work on lung cancer. He is credited as the author of the first therapeutic vaccine for lung cancer.
Therapeutic vaccines are administered to individuals who already have an illness, aiming to stimulate or modify the immune system’s response to the disease.
Alonso continues to explore the potential of this vaccine for other patients and other forms of cancer, including pediatric tumors.
He has also researched the use of ivermectin—typically used to treat parasitic infections—in the context of COVID-19.
Currently, Alonso is leading efforts to develop new therapies for cancer and is widely known for his commitment to innovation in medicine.
In the areas of molecular biology, molecular biomedicine, molecular oncology, and molecular diagnostics, Alonso is recognized as a prominent figure in Argentina’s scientific community.
In addition to supporting traditional cancer therapies, he advocates for the development of novel strategies to achieve improved outcomes. He focuses particularly on residual cancer cells that remain after standard treatments and proposes new approaches to eliminate them effectively.
Among the leading researchers in medical, biological, and health sciences—especially oncology—Daniel Alonso stands out for his numerous and valuable contributions to the advancement of cancer research in Argentina and beyond.
