Lara Monteiro studied Biomedical Sciences at the Universidade do Algarve in Portugal. She later completed a Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom, followed by a PhD in Biochemistry with a specialization in Signaling Pathways, Transcription, and Chemoresistance in Cancer at Imperial College London. In 2013, she joined the Reproductive Biology Laboratory at Universidad de los Andes as a postdoctoral researcher, and she currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the same university.

Dr. Lara Monteiro’s academic and professional trajectory has focused on the study of the physiopathology of gynecological and pregnancy-related disorders, with a strong emphasis on the identification of novel biomarkers and the exploration of molecular mechanisms involved in disease progression. Her research bridges oncology, reproductive biology, and translational medicine, with particular interest in conditions such as endometriosis, breast and ovarian cancer, implantation failure, and preeclampsia.
A key line of her work involves the transcription factor FOXM1, where she has elucidated its role in trophoblast migration and invasion, contributing to the understanding of embryo implantation. In parallel, her studies in breast cancer have explored FOXM1’s involvement in chemotherapy resistance, highlighting its relevance as a therapeutic target.
Another major area of contribution is her work on menstrual mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs), investigating their role in the etiopathology of endometriosis. Her recent efforts also include the development and validation of non-invasive diagnostic tools for the early detection of endometriosis.

Dr. Lara Monteiro has developed an active career in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, with a strong emphasis on applied biomedical research. Her teaching approach is characterized by the integration of the most recent experimental evidence with clinical applications, promoting an understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms as a foundation for the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic tools.
She is currently a member of the Academic Committee of the PhD Program in Biomedicine, where she teaches content related to transcription factors and their role in gene regulation. She also coordinates and lectures in the courses “Biotechnological Advances in Medicine” and “Advanced Topics in Biomedicine: Translational Research in Reproductive Biology.”
She is actively involved in direct mentorship, both in research units and as a PhD thesis supervisor.
At the undergraduate level, she has contributed to the Biomedical Research Program and the course Applied Sciences to Medicine, delivering lectures as a researcher at the CiiB-UANDES, with the goal of motivating and fostering interest in research among undergraduate students. In addition, she serves as a tutor for medical students participating in the Research Immersion Program of the CiiB – Faculty of Medicine.