Her professorship at Utrecht University reflects a long-held dream: using powerful microscope technologies to understand how treatments work and how to improve them. The research by Anne Rios, located at the Princess Máxima Center, directly supports the development of new therapies for children with cancer.
Watching cancer therapy in real time
Rios’ research is all about watching in real time how immune cells fight cancer. Her team uses tiny models of tumors, called organoids, and advanced microscopes to look how cancer responds to different treatments.
As part of the IMAGINE! consortium, one important collaborative project with the UU is already under way:
“We are building microscopes that don’t just take pictures, but take decisions,” Rios explains. “They can spot which immune cells are attacking the tumor. These smart microscopes can help us select immune cells and change their behavior to learn more about the key factors involved in their therapeutic potential.”
A personal journey
Rios fell in love with microscopy during her master’s degree. This love for visualizing has guided her over the course of her career, often leading to unexpected discoveries. “For me, microscopy was never just a tool, it was a way to express who I am,” she says. “I’ve always loved art and visuals. Microscopy lets me turn science into powerful stories. The images and movies that we create can inspire, explain, and show what’s happening inside the body.”
Rios’ journey to becoming a professor is deeply personal. “My grandmother couldn’t read or write. My mother had to leave school at fourteen. But she always believed in the power of education. She passed away from cancer a few years ago, but I know she’d be incredibly proud of this achievement. I carry that pride with me every day.”
Rios hopes her story encourages others. “I stand for authenticity, being yourself, even in science. I hope that junior scientists can see that it is possible to thrive in academia by simply being yourself. For me, that means I try to create a space for my team where we can be real, make mistakes, speak up, and grow together. This professorship isn’t just mine — it’s ours.”