Matilde Mora Fernandez | Oncological physical exercise | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr. Matilde Mora Fernandez | Oncological physical exercise | Best Researcher Award

Investigadora at Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

Summary:

Prof. Dr. Matilde Mora Fernández is a leading expert in oncological exercise and physical health interventions for cancer patients. Her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor has fueled her dedication to improving the recovery and quality of life of individuals undergoing cancer treatments. She founded VidaON to promote the therapeutic benefits of exercise, with her work extending to collaborations with national and international institutions, including the University of Seville, ONCOAVANZE, and the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC). Prof. Dr. Mora has contributed to numerous research projects, academic theses, and international publications, and continues to teach in post-graduate programs.

Professional Profile:

👩‍🎓Education:

  • Licenciada en Educación Física – University of Granada, 1994
  • Doctorate in Medicine and Surgery – University of Cádiz, 1999

🏢 Professional Experience:

Prof. Dr. Matilde Mora Fernández has been serving as a Secondary Education Teacher at IES Las Salinas in San Fernando, Cádiz, since 1996 under the Ministry of Education in Spain. From 2011 to 2023, she worked as a faculty member at the University of Seville, teaching courses in the Bachelor’s in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences and the Master’s in Health and Quality of Life in Older Adults. During this period, she interrupted her work twice—once for breast cancer treatment (2012-2013) and another for personal reasons (2023-present), but she continues her research activities with the University of Seville.

She is an active member of the research group HUM-962, which focuses on Sports and Physical Activity from a Multidisciplinary Perspective. She has extensive experience in applying physical exercise to enhance quality of life, especially in cancer patients. In 2016, she founded the VidaON Association, which advocates for exercise in the recovery and well-being of cancer patients. The association coordinates the Oncological Physical Exercise Unit in collaboration with ONCOAVANZE, providing multidisciplinary oncological services at Quironsalud hospitals in Seville. Dr. Mora has also contributed significantly to international projects, including H2020, Marie Curie-funded initiatives, and Erasmus+, focusing on modernizing education and research in physical education and cancer rehabilitation.

Research Interests:

Prof. Dr. Mora Fernández’s research focuses on the intersection of oncological exercise, health improvement, and quality of life enhancement for cancer patients. Her work emphasizes the physical and psychological benefits of structured exercise regimens for individuals undergoing cancer treatment, especially for breast cancer patients. She also investigates cognitive decline in cancer survivors, functional improvements through supervised training, and clinical trials combining nutrition and physical exercise for metastatic cancer patients. She has collaborated on numerous projects, including the ONCODIET clinical trial, which explores the combined effects of nutrition and exercise for metastatic cancer patients.

Author Metrics:

Prof. Dr. Matilde Mora Fernández has authored numerous articles in high-impact journals indexed in JCR, focusing on exercise oncology. She has presented her work at both national and international conferences and continues to guide doctoral theses and graduate research in cancer rehabilitation. Her publications, research projects, and collaborations have significantly advanced the field of exercise-based interventions for cancer care.

Top Noted Publication:

1. Effects of Exercise on Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review

  • Journal: Breast Cancer
  • Published: November 2023
  • DOI: 10.1007/s12282-023-01484-z
  • Contributors: Orellana-Jaén Jesús, Carrasco-Páez Luis, Mora-Fernández Matilde
  • Abstract: This review explores how exercise interventions can impact cognitive impairment in breast cancer survivors, addressing the mechanisms and potential benefits of physical activity in this context.

2. Personalised and Progressive Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) in Patients with Cancer: A Clinical Case Series

  • Journal: Supportive Care in Cancer
  • Published: 2019
  • ISSN: 0941-4355
  • Contributor: Matilde Mora Fernández
  • Abstract: The study details the application of personalized neuromuscular electrical stimulation in cancer patients, exploring its impact on functional outcomes, quality of life, and muscle preservation during treatment.

3. A Research Roadmap: Connected Health as an Enabler of Cancer Patient Support

  • Journal: Journal of Medical Internet Research
  • Published: October 29, 2019
  • DOI: 10.2196/14360
  • Contributors: Gabriel Ruiz Signorelli, Fedor Lehocki, Matilde Mora Fernández, Gillian O’Neill, Dominic O’Connor, Louise Brennan, Francisco Monteiro-Guerra, Alejandro Rivero-Rodriguez, Santiago Hors-Fraile, Juan Munoz-Penas
  • Abstract: This article presents a roadmap for using connected health technologies to support cancer patients, providing a framework for the development of patient-centered, technology-enabled care solutions.

4. A Research Roadmap: Connected Health as an Enabler of Cancer Patient Support (Preprint)

  • Preprint Published: April 12, 2019
  • DOI: 10.2196/preprints.14360
  • Contributors: Gabriel Ruiz Signorelli, Fedor Lehocki, Matilde Mora Fernández, Gillian O’Neill, Dominic O’Connor, Louise Brennan, Francisco Monteiro-Guerra, Alejandro Rivero-Rodriguez, Santiago Hors-Fraile, Juan Munoz-Penas
  • Abstract: This preprint outlines the early development of a roadmap for leveraging connected health technologies to assist cancer patients in navigating their treatment and care.

5. Activating Technology for Connected Health in Cancer: Protocol for a Research and Training Program

  • Journal: JMIR Research Protocols
  • Published: January 24, 2018
  • DOI: 10.2196/resprot.8900
  • Contributors: Nicola Mountford, Enrique Dorronzoro Zubiete, Threase Kessie, Begonya Garcia-Zapirain, Roberto Nuño-Solinís, David Coyle, Kristin B Munksgaard, Luis Fernandez-Luque, Octavio Rivera Romero, Matilde Mora Fernandez
  • Abstract: This protocol outlines the goals and methods for a research and training program aimed at using technology to enhance connected health interventions for cancer patients, focusing on improving patient outcomes through technological innovation.