Cristina João

Cristina João, MD, PhD, is the Group Leader of the Myeloma Lymphoma Research Group at the Champalimaud Research Centre, part of the Champalimaud Foundation. Her work focuses on advancing understanding of multiple myeloma and improving therapeutic strategies. She leads a multidisciplinary team including clinicians and researchers addressing challenges in diagnosis and treatment resistance.

Her research interests include extracellular vesicle biology, liquid biopsies, immune microenvironment modulation, and neuronal signaling in cancer progression. Key projects include CHROMME (extracellular vesicle protein characterization) and LIQUID (integration of liquid biopsy diagnostics).

Publications highlight contributions to clinical trials, healthcare economics, and biomarker discovery. Collaborations with institutions across Europe emphasize translational research for patient benefit. The team investigates novel therapies targeting the bone marrow microenvironment and immune modulation.

Notable achievements include developing guidelines for multiple myeloma treatment in Portugal and advancing methodologies for measurable residual disease assessment. Her work bridges basic science with clinical applications, aiming to personalize therapies and improve outcomes for hematologic malignancies.