PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR Lucia Kucerova, D.Sc.
Research categories: Oncology, Research & Experimental Medicine, Biotechnology, Cell Biology
Publications: 77 records in WOS, 53 publications in peer-reviewed journals, 2,961 citations without self-citations, h score 27 (WOS Core Collection) – 08-JUL-2025
Supervision: 5 PhD students (finished), 5 PhD candidates, 2 students (Master thesis).
Awards: 2017 L’Oreal For Women in Science, 2015 The Scientist of the Year, Slovakia.
Lucia Kucerova, DSc., explores novel approaches to circumvent cisplatin-resistance in germ cell tumors. Her preclinical work executed in clinical collaboration with prof. Mego brought original findings leading to clinical trial and establishment of international collaboration with the leader in the field prof. L.H.J. Looijenga from the Netherlands. Her research conducted in the clinically-oriented biotech company brought important insight into genetic engineering of the natural killer cells for improved antitumor function (high-impact publications and co-invention of patent). Another research direction covered the role of tumor-stromal compartment in the behavior of malignant cells including their effect on chemoresistance as reviewed in Molecular Cancer (2019) with ≥119 citations. Pilot work demonstrating dual behavior of stromal cells in tumor modulation (Kucerova et al, Molecular Cancer 2010) was cited ≥169 times. The research conducted in the field of targeted antitumor therapy mediated by prodrug-activating mesenchymal stromal cells (summarized in Kucerova et al, Cancer Letters 2017). Pivotal study demonstrating the therapeutic potential of adipose-tissue derived mesenchymal stromal cells was cited ≥362 times since its publication (Kucerova et al, Cancer Research 2007) demonstrating major impact on international level.
