Hello! My name is Irene Guijarro Munoz, and I joined the team at The Happy Lungs Project (HLP) as Director of Research in 2022. Since then, I have been focused on the development of RET research funding proposals.
Irene Guijarro Munoz, our Director of Research
I assist investigators with the submission of grants to fund RET research projects focused on different areas, but with the main goal of finding better treatments for RET lung cancer patients. Some exciting projects I have worked on include the study of mechanisms of resistance to RET targeted therapies, investigating new combination therapies for RET lung cancer, and the development of new immunotherapies for RET lung cancer.
I also coordinate and oversee the development of RET research funding proposals for pharma or commercial contractors.
But what I enjoy most is helping lung cancer patients and their families understand the RET positive lung cancer biology and the potential treatment options available. I am so grateful to be able to help lung cancer patients in any way I can. Every patient is special and reminds me of the importance of working hard and continue doing what we do.
I’m originally from Madrid, Spain, although my family comes from a region called Castilla-La Mancha – the land of Don Quixote. I’ve loved science since I was little! I completed my PhD in Molecular Biology at Universidad Autonoma de Madrid. After that, I joined Dr. John Heymach’s laboratory at MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2014 as a postdoctoral fellow working on different projects aimed at finding new therapies for different subtypes of lung cancer including KRAS mutant lung cancer. In 2018, I transitioned to Research Project Manager at the Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology department at MD Anderson, where I assisted with the development of multiple grant submissions and oversaw the progress of the projects in the lab.
I am married to Enrique, who is from Navarre in northern Spain. We met in Houston while watching the NBA finals with some friends. We got married in 2021, and we have two children: a 2-year-old girl, Avi, and a 3 month-old baby, Martin. I love spending time outdoors with my family, especially traveling, hiking, and biking. I also have a passion for creative hobbies like painting and pottery. Music plays a big role in my life, and I hope to learn to play the guitar when I find the time!
I am thrilled to be part of The Happy Lungs Project and our work to educate RET lung cancer patients about research advances and treatment options. I’m grateful for the community support that makes that possible, and I feel inspired every day.
