Elena Maroto Martín

Since the beginning of my career, I have been captivated by the immune system's ability to fight diseases and its potential to revolutionize cancer treatment. This passion led me to specialize in immunotherapy and advanced therapies, focusing on translating scientific discoveries into real-world treatments.

My journey began at Universidad Complutense de Madrid, where I specialized in biomedicine and oncology research. My PhD at Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre was a turning point—I developed CAR-NK cell therapies for multiple myeloma and identified a drug combination that significantly enhanced their efficacy. This experience strengthened my expertise in cell therapy development, preclinical research, and the complex interplay between tumor biology and the immune system.

Seeking to expand my knowledge, I pursued a research stay at the University of Ljubljana, gaining hands-on experience in biotechnology and molecular biology techniques. This international exposure reinforced my ability to adapt to new scientific environments and integrate cutting-edge approaches into my work.

My next step brought me to Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where I focused on identifying new therapeutic targets in multiple myeloma. Here, I contributed to the development of a novel CAR-T immunotherapy, pushing the boundaries of personalized cancer treatment. This work fueled my passion for translational medicine, reinforcing my commitment to bridging academic research with industry-driven innovation.

In parallel, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), I have been deeply involved in the development of antibody-based therapeutics, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). This role has allowed me to collaborate closely with biotech and pharma experts, refining my expertise in drug development, preclinical validation, and industry-oriented therapeutic strategies.

Young Investigator Award for Exemplary Abstract

18th International Myeloma Workshop Annual Meeting.

Young Investigator Award for Exemplary Abstract

17th International Myeloma Workshop Annual Meeting.

Elena Maroto, Premio Cris contra el Cáncer

Superar barreras

Una española, premiada en el Congreso Mundial de Mieloma Múltiple en Boston

¡Estamos de enhorabuena!

Venetoclax resistance leads to broad resistance to standard-of-care anti-MM agents, but not to immunotherapies

Shuhui Deng, Sanika Derebail, Vera Joy Weiler, Jessica Fong Ng, Elena Maroto-Martin, Madhumouli Chatterjee, Giulia Giorgetti, Chandraditya Chakraborty, Poonam Kalhotra, Ting Du, Yao Yao, Rao H Prabhala, Masood A Shammas, Annamaria Gulla, Anil Aktas Samur, Mehmet K Samur, Lugui Qiu, Kenneth C Anderson, Mariateresa Fulciniti, Nikhil C Munshi

10.1182/bloodadvances.2023012298. PMID: 38861273

Overcoming tumor resistance mechanisms in CAR-NK cell therapy.

Valeri A, García-Ortiz A, Castellano E, Córdoba L, Maroto-Martín E, Encinas J, Leivas A, Río P, Martínez-López J

10.3389/fimmu.2022.953849. PMID: 35990652; PMCID: PMC9381932.2022

The Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Multiple Myeloma Development and Progression

García-Ortiz A, Rodríguez-García Y, Encinas J, Maroto-Martín E, Castellano E, Teixidó J, Martínez-López J

10.3390/cancers13020217. PMID: 33435306; PMCID: PMC7827690.2021

A TCR-like CAR T Cell Therapy for the Treatment of MZB1 Positive Multiple Myeloma and Other B-Cell Malignancies. Poster. 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Elena Maroto Martin, Yingjie Zhao, Sara Mangesh Kolhatkar, Roberto Garcia-Vicente, Mubin Tarannum, Mehmet K. Samur, Mariateresa Fulciniti, Rizwan Romee, Jianzhu Chen, Nikhil C. Munshi

CRISPR/CAS9 Multi-editing Enhances CAR NK Cells Therapeutic Potential Against Multiple Myeloma. Poster. 66 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Eva Castellano; Almudena Garcia Ortiz; Laura Ugalde; Elena Maroto Martin; Jessica Encinas Mayoral; Raquel Oliva; Laura Garcia Garcia; Irene Peña; Noemi Alvarez; Gonzalo Carreño; Rosa Ayala; Laura Cordoba; Alejandra Leivas; Guillermo Suñe; Beatriz Martin Antonio; Rafael Alonso Fernandez; Maria Teresa Cedena Romero; Joaquin Martinez Lopez; Paula Rio; Antonio Valeri.

Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing of Cord Blood-derived CAR NK Cells to Improve Their Persistence and Antitumoral Potential Against Multiple Myeloma. Poster. 21 st International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Eva Castellano; Almudena Garcia Ortiz; Laura Ugalde; Elena Maroto Martin; Jessica Encinas; Raquel Oliva; Laura Garcia Garcia; Noemi Alvarez; Gonzalo Carreño; Rosa Ayala; Laura Cordoba; Alejandra Leivas; Guillermo Suñé; Rafael Alonso Fernandez; Maria Teresa Cedena; Beatriz Martin Antonio; Joaquin Martinez Lopez; Paula Rio; Antonio Valeri.

α-NKG2A blockade overcomes multiple myeloma resistance to BCMA and NKG2D CAR-NKAE cells. Oral. 20 th International Myeloma Workshop. Athens, Greece.

Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Elena Maroto Martín; Eva Castellano; Raquel Oliva; Rafael Alonso; Teresa Cedena; Alejandra Leivas; Laura García García; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Dean A Lee; Rao Prabhala; Daniel J Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

El eje HLA-E/NKG2A contribuye a la resistencia de las células del mieloma múltiple a la terapia NK-CAR. Oral. LXV Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia (SEHH), Pamplona, Spain.

Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Elena Maroto Martín; Eva Castellano; Raquel Oliva; Rafael Alonso; Teresa Cedena; Alejandra Leivas; Laura García García; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Dean A Lee; Rao Prabhala; Daniel J Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

“Higher CD56 Expression on Multiple Myeloma Cells Increases CD38 Expression, Reduces Intracellular NAD+ Levels, and Enhances the Efficacy of Daratumumab-Based Treatment Strategies”. Poster. 65 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.

Giulia Giorgetti; Pamela Becherini; Elena Maroto-Martin; Daniela Fenoglio; Debora Soncini; Claudia Martinuzzi; Santina Bruzzone; Andrea Benzi; Aimable Nahimana; Chiara Rosa Maria Uras; Anaïs Schavgoulidze; Jessica Ng Fong; Roberto M. Lemoli; Nikhil C Munshi; Mariateresa Fulciniti; Michele Cea.

HLA-E/NKG2A checkpoint drives multiple myeloma resistance to CAR-NK therapyPoster. European Hematology Association (EHA). Frankfurt, Germany.

Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Elena Maroto Martín; Eva Castellano; Raquel Oliva; Rafael Alonso; Teresa Cedena; Alejandra Leivas; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Dean A. Lee; Daniel J. Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

LA ELIMINACIÓN DE LOS RECEPTORES NKG2A Y TGFBR2 MEDIANTE EDICIÓN GÉNICA MÚLTIPLE AUMENTA LA POTENCIA CITOTÓXICA DE LAS CÉLULAS NK BCMA-CAR CONTRA MIELOMA MÚLTIPLE. Poster. LXIV Congreso Nacional de la SEHH y el XXXVIII Congreso Nacional de la SETH. Barcelona, Spain.

Eva Castellano Esparza; Paula Río Galdo; Elena Maroto Martín; Laura Ugalde Díaz; Almudena García Ortiz; Jessica Encinas Mayoral; Laura Córdoba Espejo; Alejandra Leivas Aldea; Guillermo Suñe; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri Lozano.

OPTIMIZACIÓN DEL PROTOCOLO DE PRODUCCIÓN DE CAR-NK DE SANGRE PERIFÉRICA EN CLINIMACS PRODIGY PARA USO CLÍNICO. Poster. LXIV Congreso Nacional de la SEHH y el XXXVIII Congreso Nacional de la SETH. Barcelona, Spain.

Laura Córdoba Espejo; Laura Sánchez Vega; Mari Liz Paciello Coronel; Patricia Del Moral Saez; Almudena García Ortiz; Eva Castellano Esparza; Jessica Encinas Mayoral; Elena Maroto Martín; José M. Sánchez Pina; R Íñiguez; Rafael Alonso; Paula Río; Antonio Valeri; Alejandra Leivas Aldea; Joaquín Martínez López.

Comprehensive comparison of allogenic CAR NK cells for MM treatment. Poster. 19th International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA.

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Eva Castellano; Laura Ugalde; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; María; Teresa Cedena; Daniel J. Powell Jr.; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

ACTIVATED AND EXPANDED NATURAL KILLER CELLS TRANSDUCED WITH AN NKG2D CHIMERIC ANTIGEN RECEPTOR AGAINST ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA. Poster. European Hematology Association (EHA). Vienna, Austria.

Laura Córdoba; Eva Castellano; Antonio Valeri; Paula Río; Almudena García Ortiz; Jessica Encinas; Elena Maroto Martín; Lucía Fernández Casanova; Antonio Pérez Martínez; Dean Lee; Daniel J. Powell; Alejandra Leivas; Joaquín Martínez López.

“Exploring a safety switch in NKG2D and BCMA CAR NK-92MI immunotherapy”. Poster. 18 th International Myeloma Workshop. Vienna, Austria.

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Eva Castellano; Laura Ugalde; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Teresa Cedena; Daniel J. Powell Jr.; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

“Exploring a safe and effective "off-the-shelf" cell-based immunotherapy for the treatment of Multiple Myeloma using non-irradiated CAR NK-92MI cells” Poster. European Hematology Association (EHA).

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Eva Castellano; Laura Ugalde; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Teresa Cedena; Daniel J. Powell Jr.; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

Células NK-92MI CAR anti-BCMA y anti-NKG2D para el tratamiento del Mieloma Múltiple. Oral. LXIII Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia (SEHH), Pamplona, Spain.

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Eva Castellano; Laura Ugalde; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Teresa Cedena; Daniel J. Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

Exploring NKG2D and BCMA-CAR NK-92 for adoptive cellular therapy to multiple myeloma Oral. 17 th International Myeloma Workshop. Boston, Massachusetts.

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Laura Ugalde; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Teresa Cedena; Daniel J Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

Generación de dos nuevos productos inmunoterapéuticos con células NK modificadas genéticamente. Comparación de CAR clínicamente relevantes en mieloma múltiple. Oral. LXI Congreso Nacional de la Sociedad Española de Hematología y Hemoterapia (SEHH), Valencia, Spain.

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Laura Ugalde; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Beatriz Martín Antonio; Guillermo Suñe; Teresa Cedena; Daniel J Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

Optimización de la Monitorización de CAR-T CD19 por Citometría de Flujo y PCR Cuantitativa (qPCR). Poster. LXI Congreso Nacional de la SEHH y el XXXV Congreso Nacional de la SETH.

Almudena García Ortiz; Inmaculada Rapado; Jessica Encinas; Elena Maroto Martín; José María Sánchez Pina; Vanesa Garrido; Laura Moreno Sanz; Alexandra Juárez Rufián; Laura Rufián Vázquez; Mercedes Cáceres García; Mari Liz Paciello; Rafael Alonso; Teresa Cedena; Antonio Valeri; Joaquín Martínez López.

‘NKG2D and BCMA-CAR NK cells efficiently eliminate multiple myeloma cells. A comprehensive comparison between two clinically relevant CARs’; Poster; 24th European Hematology Association, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Elena Maroto Martín; Jessica Encinas; Almudena García Ortiz; Rafael Alonso; Alejandra Leivas; Mari Liz Paciello; Vanesa Garrido; Teresa Cedena; Laura Ugalde; Daniel J Powell Jr; Paula Río; Joaquín Martínez López; Antonio Valeri.

Dana Farber Cancer Institute / Harvard Medical School, Boston/Cambridge USA

• Led the development and implementation of preclinical models in hematology and oncology, including advanced therapies such as CAR T-cell therapy.
• Managed, designed, optimized, and executed independent research projects, as well as collaborations with external research centers.
• Established and maintained strategic collaborations with experts in the field, fostering interdisciplinary research initiatives.
• Conducted preclinical trials in onco-hematology, utilizing in vivo models to assess the efficacy of novel therapies.
• Developed, optimized, and validated experimental protocols for cutting-edge therapeutic approaches in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies.
• Wrote and secured competitive research grants, playing a key role in a successfully funded grant proposal.
• Contributed to the patenting process of a novel therapeutic approach, currently under review.
• Authored scientific articles, systematic reviews, and grant proposals, effectively communicating research findings to both specialized and broad audiences.
• Designed and directed multiple clinical research projects (including observational studies and real-world evidence studies), managing up to five projects simultaneously and honing strong prioritization and organizational skills.
• Translated complex data into impactful presentations, delivering findings at scientific conferences and meetings.
• Ensured compliance with regulatory guidelines, budget constraints, and project timelines.
• Mentored and supervised junior researchers, fostering a collaborative and productive research environment.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston/Cambridge USA

• Designed and executed experimental strategies for the development of novel therapeutic candidates, including antibodies and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for clinical applications.
• Played a key role in translating preclinical discoveries into potential clinical applications, contributing to the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.
• Led and managed cross-functional collaborations, working closely with academic and industry partners to advance drug discovery programs.
• Optimized and implemented protein engineering, purification, and characterization workflows to enhance therapeutic efficacy and stability.
• Developed and validated binding assays to assess target engagement and functional activity of novel biologics.
• Coordinated multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring efficient resource management and timely execution.
• Managed interactions with external stakeholders, fostering strong scientific partnerships and strategic collaborations.

H12O-CNIO Haematological Malignancies Clinical Research Unit, Madrid

• Designed and conducted cellular and molecular biology experiments in primary and transformed cell lines, as well as in transgenic animal models.
• Developed and optimized engineering of primary NK cells for use in CAR NK immunotherapy, contributing to the advancement of novel therapeutic strategies in hematologic malignancies.
• Led preclinical trials in onco-hematology, evaluating innovative therapies in multiple myeloma and other cancers.
• Performed multiparametric flow cytometry (≥8-color panels) for deep immune profiling and functional characterization of CAR-NK cells and patient-derived samples.
• Processed and analyzed bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from multiple myeloma patients, optimizing sample handling for downstream cytometric and molecular assays.
• Established and managed collaborations with experts in advanced immunotherapies and oncology research, actively engaging with key opinion leaders (KOLs) and therapeutic area experts (TAEs) at scientific congresses to strengthen strategic partnerships.
• Developed, optimized, and validated experimental and technical protocols for cell-based therapies and next-generation immunotherapies, including SOPs and progress reports.
• Performed data analysis and interpretation, generating reports and providing strategic insights based on experimental findings.
• Delivered scientific communication at over 5 national and international conferences, tailoring presentations to medical and scientific audiences.
• Supervised and mentored BSc and MSc students, providing hands-on training in laboratory techniques and experimental design.
• Translated complex datasets into visually compelling presentations for effective communication with stakeholders.

Unilabs, Madrid

• Completed a 3-month rotation across multiple departments, gaining hands-on experience in clinical sample analysis and result interpretation.
• Conducting biomarker, hormonal, and serological analyses in the Autoimmune and Allergy department.
• Performing tests in hematology, immunology, and flow cytometry.
• Processing samples for microbiology, coagulation, and cytogenetics.
• Managing biological samples and ensuring quality control in sample reception and processing.

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia

• Prepared study protocols and optimized experimental procedures for protein-based cancer research projects.
• Contributed to oncology research by conducting protein expression and purification studies, supporting advancements in therapeutic strategies.
• Developed strong problem-solving and technical skills, troubleshooting experimental challenges and optimizing methodologies.
• Gained hands-on experience in molecular and protein biology techniques, including: Cloning and genetic manipulation; Protein expression in insect cells using the baculovirus system; Protein purification through chromatography techniques; In-gel cross-linking analysis using ADH cross-linkers to assess protein interactions

PhD in Biomedical Research

Title: "Development of allogeneic CAR NK therapies for relapsed multiple myeloma patients." Summa Cum Laude

Course Data Management for Clinical Research

Course Introduction to Bioinformatics in Drug Discovery

Course Immunotherapy and Cellular Therapy in Hemato-Oncology

Course Handling of laboratory animals (functions A, B, and C)

MSc in Health Analysis

BSc in Biochemistry

Preclinical Trial Management

Clinical Documentation

Data Collection & Monitoring

Data Analysis & Interpretation

Regulatory Compliance

Documentation & Reporting

Patient Safety & Data Integrity

Scientific Writing

Project Management

Cross-functional Team Leadership

Strategic Planning & Execution

Clinical Research & Drug Development

Stakeholder Management & Communication

Problem Solving & Process Optimization

Attention to Detail