Rios’ professorship strengthens the connection between the Princess Máxima Center and the Department of Biology at Utrecht University, a department where she feels right at home. ‘It’s a department with world-class science and an incredible microscopy center. Working together gives us a unique chance to gather in-depth mechanistic insights with a direct link to clinical applications.’
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.
One of the diseases Rios focuses on is diffuse midline glioma (DMG), a rare and aggressive childhood brain tumor. ‘There’s still no cure for DMG. That’s why we’re working hard to turn the therapeutic approaches we are developing in the lab into real treatments that can help these children.’
Rios is excited about new collaborations through her professorship. One important collaboration within the Department of Biology is already underway: ‘We’re 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.’
From microscope to meaning
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 also shares these images outside the lab, especially with children and the wider public, and she creates artistic experiences from scientific data. ‘We use these visuals to spark curiosity and help people — even young kids — understand and feel something about science.’
A personal journey
Rios’ journey to becoming a professor is deeply personal. ‘My grandmother couldn’t read or write. My mother had to leave school at 14. 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. None of this would have happened without the Dream Team!’
Anne Rios’ chair at the Utrecht University Faculty of Science started on 1 May 2025. Her inaugural lecture will take place at a later date.
Photo ©Barbara Kieboom