Mirco Mian is an MD student at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, National University of Rosario, Argentina, currently completing his final medical internship. His academic journey has been shaped by hands-on clinical research, such as his experience at the HIV/AIDS Service at Centenario Provincial Hospital. Where he explored the epidemiological and biochemical profiles of immunosuppressed patients and regional patterns of opportunistic infections.
Mirco currently investigates protein expression in cholangiocarcinoma and pancreatic cancer, with a focus on therapeutic resistance and the efficacy of immunotherapy. His research interests lie at the intersection of oncology, immunotherapies, and molecular medicine. Mirco recently joined our Ambassador team in 2025.
Please introduce yourself and share your journey in the field of immunology research.
I became interested in the mechanisms of the immune response after completing an immunology course in my undergraduate program. From then on, I began working on a series of epidemiological and clinical projects at the HIV/AIDS Service of the Centenario Provincial Hospital. We evaluated biochemical and analytical parameters of the immune response in the context of immunosuppression caused by HIV-1 replication (CCR-5 and CXCR-4 tropism), as well as variations in CD4+ and CD8/CD4 ratios against opportunistic infections in our region (Histoplasma capsulatum, for example).
From there, I became interested in and studied the various facets of the immune system in the context of infections, as well as the development of potential treatments.
We would love to hear more about your ongoing research. What projects are you currently working on, and how do they impact the field?
In the HIV/AIDS Service, we are currently working on changes in biochemical/analytical parameters associated with chronic inflammation in patients with HIV who also suffer from comorbidities (such as diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases, and high blood pressure); and how these changes are associated with a better or worse response to current antiretroviral treatments, in combination with the other pharmacological measures they receive from the service.
On another note, I’ve recently been working on a study to characterise a protein in the context of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA and iCCA) and its role in the potential development of resistance to conventional chemotherapy and immunotherapies/targeted therapies, as well as whether it is associated with a variation in patient survival prognosis based on clinical oncological parameters.
Could you please tell us about your work in cancer immunotherapies?
I am currently studying, as part of a Diploma in Immuno-Oncology, the different scenarios and the role that the antitumor immune response plays in the most prevalent tumours in clinical practice. In this context, we receive classes from experts and researchers who guide us from the presentation of common clinical scenarios in oncology services to critical reasoning on how to approach the formulation of new projects with potential applications in the characterisation of prognostic and therapeutic markers, which we can then apply in our projects. The primary objective is to continue studying and training in new targeted therapies and to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that often lead to the development of resistance to these therapies, such as evaluating and characterising specific proteins in the context of tumours.
What inspired you to include immunology in your focus of study?
In reality, based on what I learned and continue to learn while training in medicine at my university, diseases are often complex. We don’t just need to evaluate a single part of them specifically. In my case, I believe that studying and understanding the mechanisms of the immune response in cancer helps us gain a much broader view of the pathology. Therefore, I prefer to focus on exploring the entire disease within its context, examining both the immunological perspective and the clinical oncology aspects of cancer itself.
What specifically stood out about Immunopaedia that made you want to become an ambassador?
I have taken online courses on Immunopaedia and, based on the recommendation of the Immuno-Oncology faculty, reviewed Immunopaedia’s educational resources.
This year, I also completed an Immunopaedia allergy course online, which is how I initially became aware of the platform. I appreciate the invitation to join their Ambassador team to continue learning.
Based on your own experience, what one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to study or research immunology in today’s scientific landscape?
I would advise, as we’ve been taught in medicine, to approach any disease and its study from a holistic perspective that allows you to understand the full spectrum of the disease, determining which area to focus on, whether to study it through research or purely for academic interest. Whether it’s from an immunology, oncology, or clinical/internist perspective, I recommend doing a first reading and gaining a general understanding.
