Dr. Pilar Ramos

Dr. Pilar Ramos is a cancer molecular biologist with over 17 years of experience in translational cancer genomics and molecular diagnostics. She holds a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Arizona State University and completed postdoctoral research at both St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen). Her career spans academic research, clinical genomics, and industry–healthcare collaboration, giving her a comprehensive perspective on the translation of genomic science into clinical practice. In her current role at Illumina, she leads Medical Affairs initiatives across Europe focused on generating real world evidence and supporting the clinical adoption of comprehensive genomic profiling in cancer diagnostics.

She is regarded as a trusted expert in the field due to her strong scientific foundation combined with extensive hands-on experience supporting the real-world implementation of genomic testing. She has spent her career working closely with pathologists, oncologists, laboratory leaders, and healthcare systems to ensure that advanced genomic technologies are applied in ways that are clinically meaningful, operationally feasible, and aligned with patient needs.

A highlight of her career includes uncovering the genetic basis of small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT), enabling the development of the first diagnostic test for this rare cancer.

Dr. Ramos has an extensive publication record in high‑impact peer‑reviewed journals and has received several awards for research excellence, including the Jeremy Jass Prize.