DrMaria Lastra Cagigas

Dr Lastra Cagigas’ research investigates how nutrition and metabolism shape human healthspan, cancer progression, and treatment response. She integrates mechanosensing, nutrient signalling, lipid biology, endocrinology, and multi-omics profiling to define the molecular determinants of health and disease. Maria is particularly interested in haematopoietic aging and leukaemia as a modifiable driver of systemic aging.

Her portfolio includes investigator-initiated randomised clinical trials in acute leukaemia, prostate cancer, metabolic disease, and healthy volunteers, supported by formal certification as a Clinical Trials Coordinator. Her objective is to establish evidence-based metabolic interventions that support long-term physiological resilience, and she is an inaugural co-recipient of the CPC Metabolic Grant initiative to improve metabolic health in Western Sydney.

Maria collaborates with leading experts, including Professors Luigi Fontana, Stephen Fuller, Marco Demaria, Jennie Brand-Miller, Stephen Twigg, Luciano Martelotto, Brian Kennedy, and colleagues in lipid metabolism, proteomics, haematopoietic biology, and clinical bioinformatics.