Nina Santa Cruz

Nina Santa Cruz, born and raised in Tucson, is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Arizona. Before joining the university, Nina spent around eight years working in oncology. In her previous roles, she served as a research coordinator and was part of the project management team at a company specializing in phase 1 cancer research trials. Her work experience inspired her interest in understanding and utilizing the immune system to prevent and fight cancer. She is currently collaborating with and mentored by Dimitrios Filioglou to explore novel therapeutic combinations and their mechanisms within the realm of hematological malignancies, aiming to contribute to the improvement of clinical outcomes for patients battling aggressive blood cancers.

She plans to complete her Bachelor of Science degree by 2026 and intends to apply to MD/PhD or PhD programs in the future.