Marina Simian
Marina Simian is a CONICET researcher and co-founder of Oncoliq, a startup developing accessible cancer diagnostics. Her career combines international training, scientific leadership at UNSAM, and an entrepreneurial profile oriented toward social impact. With a strategic vision, she has connected biomedical innovation with business, positioning herself as a leading figure in science and entrepreneurship in Latin America.
Academic training and early steps
Simian studied Biological Sciences at the University of Buenos Aires, where she built a solid academic foundation. Her interest in research led her to pursue a PhD in Molecular Biology at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab in the United States. That experience allowed her to integrate cutting-edge methods, work in multidisciplinary teams, and publish studies that defined the first stage of her professional career.
Scientific career in Argentina
Upon returning to Argentina, she spent a decade at the Ángel Roffo Institute of Oncology, where she focused on breast cancer research and the tumor microenvironment. There she developed a scientific agenda centered on applied innovation. Later, she became an independent researcher at CONICET and laboratory director at UNSAM, where she established a group with research lines including organoids, drug resistance, and the use of nanotechnology.
Public engagement and visibility
Simian gained public recognition in 2019 when she participated in a television quiz show. After winning 500,000 pesos, she donated the entire prize to purchase supplies for her lab, highlighting the precarious state of science funding in Argentina. Her gesture transformed a media event into a civic campaign that sparked debate on public policy, budgets, and the sustainability of research.
The creation of Oncoliq
In 2022 she co-founded Oncoliq, a biotech startup dedicated to early cancer detection through the analysis of blood microRNA. The project aims to replace invasive procedures with simple, affordable diagnostics. The model relies on infrastructure available after the pandemic, such as PCR equipment, enabling scalable implementation. Oncoliq represents Simian’s transition toward entrepreneurial leadership with global and social impact.
Leadership style
Simian combines scientific rigor with strategic vision focused on impact. Her leadership integrates three dimensions: purposeful innovation, inclusive access, and international scalability. Rather than limiting herself to the role of researcher, she adopts a profile that brings together science, business management, and public engagement. This approach allows her to align academic knowledge with a sustainable business model addressing real health challenges.
Recognition and influence
Simian’s path has been acknowledged in diverse spaces, from the Buenos Aires Legislature to international innovation platforms. Her ability to bridge science and entrepreneurship makes her a reference for new generations of researchers and entrepreneurs. Her influence is measured not only in publications or startups but in shaping a model that shows how research can evolve into an entrepreneurial engine without losing social sensitivity.
