This is the date the CNIO director fears the most.

The director of the CNIO is in the eye of the storm. María Blasco faces an uncertain future following the meeting that the board of the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas will hold next Wednesday.

In this meeting, the board members will discuss "the continuity or dismissal of the foundation's governing bodies and corresponding measures," as confirmed by The Objective.

The extraordinary meeting is scheduled for Wednesday from 11:00 to 13:00. It will focus on analyzing the reports presented by María Blasco, manager Juan Arroyo, and the group leaders who, in December, requested the Government to dismiss the director.

Unlike the meeting held on December 17, neither Blasco nor Arroyo will participate this time. In that meeting, the suspension of the controversial CNIO-Arte program and the non-approval of the Action Plan for 2025 were agreed upon. Although these topics are not on the agenda for the upcoming session, it is unknown whether the board will make any decisions related to them.

The CNIO board is composed of 15 representatives from ministries and associations. It also has the authority to decide, by majority or ideally by unanimity, whether María Blasco will continue in her position as scientific director. This body is chaired by Eva Ortega-Paíno, Secretary General of the Ministry of Science and Innovation and former director of the CNIO biobank.

Among its members are key figures such as Marina Pollán, director of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Javier Padilla, Secretary of State for Health. Also María Eloísa del Pino, president of the Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas.

Borja Monreal Gainza, director of the Department of Public Policies of the Government's Presidency Office. María Ángela Nieto, from the Advisory Council on Science, Technology, and Innovation. Lastly, Agustín González, Deputy Director General of Networks and Cooperative Research Centers of the ISCIII.

Her Letter

In a letter addressed to the CNIO Board, María Blasco has denounced the campaign of insults, attacks, and defamations she claims to receive.

In addition, she claims to have been a victim of "death threats." This is confirmed by El Debate. In the letter, Blasco denounces the speed with which a "campaign of misinformation and rumors" has circulated through communication channels and social media.

According to the media, Blasco claims that this phenomenon is reminiscent of the "dehumanization" suffered by the Jews in Nazi Germany. It is worth noting that this letter has been released on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Due to this situation, an extraordinary meeting will be held where decisions could be made regarding the continuation or dismissal of some directors.