Maria Iniesta-Donate, MD, PhD
Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Assistant Professor, Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2010 | University Miguel Hernandez, Elche, ES, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ph.D |
| 2002 | University Miguel Hernandez Medical School, Elche, ES, MD |
Postgraduate Training
| 2018-2019 | Course, Clinical Safety and Effectiveness, MD Anderson, Houston, Texas |
| 2008-2008 | Workshop, Molecular Biology in Clinical Oncology, University of Colorado, Aspen, Colorado |
| 2007-2011 | Research Fellowship, Molecular Medicine & Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 2003-2007 | Clinical Residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2015 | USMLE Step 3 |
| 2009 | Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) |
| 2009 | USMLE Step 2 CS |
| 2009 | USMLE Step 2 CK |
| 2008 | United State Medical License Examination (USMLE) Step 1 |
| 2007 | Obstetrics and Gynecology, Unrestricted License to Practice Obstetrics and Gynecology in Spain |
| 2002 | Medico, Unrestricted License to Practice Medicine in Spain |
Experience & Service
Other Professional Positions
Clinical Program Manager, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2019 - 2024
Research Coordinator Clinical Studies, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2017 - 2019
Senior Research Data Coordinator, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2016 - 2017
Research Data Coordinator, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2014 - 2015
Observer, Lyndon Baines Johnson Hospital, Houston, TX, 2012 - 2012
Attending Physician, La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, 2007 - 2007
Extramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, Scientific Review Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2025 - Present
Member, Innovative Surgery Working Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2015 - Present
Member, Enhanced Recovery Team, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2014 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2024 | First Place Abstract Award, The American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Preoperative Medicine |
| 2024 | Third Place Abstract Award, The American Society for Enhanced Recovery and Preoperative Medicine |
| 2007 - 2009 | Fellowship grant, Alfonso Martin Escudero Foundation |
| 2007 | BAXTER award |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2020. “Overcoming barriers for data collection”. Invited. MD Anderson Global Enhanced Recovery Symposium. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. “Foot to the ground: Optimizing Efforts and Resources on Data Entry”. Invited. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Symposium (ERAS): Implementing Change and New Standard of Care in Surgery. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. “REDCap Database: Key Elements in Establishing Data Collection”. Invited. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Symposium (ERAS): Implementing Change and New Standard of Care in Surgery. Houston, TX, US.
- 2018. “Data Collection: Essential Systems in Measurements of Metrics”. Invited. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Symposium (ERAS): Implementing Change and New Standard of Care in Surgery. Houston, TX, US.
International Presentations
- “Educación del equipo para una acertada implementación: Herramientas pre y pos-operatorias” Medicina Perioperatoria y ERAS. Invited. South Columbian University, CO.
- “Medidas de éxito en la implementación: Data” Medicina Perioperatoria y ERAS. Invited. South Columbian University, CO.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2026 - Present |
| Title: | Adaptation of a validated endometrial cancer knowledge measure for low-literacy populations in the United States |
| Funding Source: | Foundation for Women's Cancer |
| Role: | Mentor |
| ID: | FP00028978 |
| Date: | 2025 - Present |
| Title: | Development of a shared decision tool to facilitate uptake of the levonorgestrel intrauterine device for primary prevention of endometrial cancer |
| Funding Source: | CPRIT |
| Role: | Collaborator |
| ID: | RP250293 |
| Date: | 2024 - Present |
| Title: | Assessing endometrial cancer risk and survival among patients with diabetes mellitus using different antidiabetic medications |
| Funding Source: | The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2023 - Present |
| Title: | Strengthening Patient and Caregiver Supports in Advanced Gynecologic Cancers – a Multi-Site Randomized Controlled Trial |
| Funding Source: | NIH |
| Role: | Co-I |
| ID: | R01CA270040 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Viveros-Carreño, D, Garcia, NA, Mora-Soto, N, Beshar, I, Angeles, MA, Rodriguez, J, Krause, KJ, Iniesta-Donate, M, Wilke, RN, Melamed, A, Rauh-Hain, JA, Pareja, R. Frequency of lymph node involvement in clinically early-stage low-grade serous ovarian cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 36(8), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42263579.
- Levin, G, Garcia, NA, Beshar, I, Ribeiro, R, Wilke, RN, Melamed, A, Iniesta-Donate, M, Meyer, R, Rauh-Hain, JA. Robotic vs laparoscopic interval cytoreductive surgery in stage III ovarian cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 36(7), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42302709.
- Garcia, NA, Viveros-Carreño, D, Wu, C, Iniesta-Donate, M, Kanbergs, A, Wilke, RN, Bercow, AS, Barajas, K, Pareja, R, Melamed, A, Rauh-Hain, JA. Survival outcomes after inadvertent surgery in low-risk early-stage cervical cancer. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 234(6):1639-1649, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41707895.
- Kanbergs, A, Garcia, NA, Perkins, GC, Wu, C, Viveros-Carreño, D, Iniesta, MD, Barajas, K, Melamed, A, Rauh-Hain, JA, Wilke, RN. Trends and clinical predictors in ovarian preservation in patients with low-risk endometrial cancer. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 234(3):650-667, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41223960.
- Iniesta MD, Munsell MF, Zorrilla-Vaca A, Ramirez PT, Garcia Lopez JE, Basabe MS, Wilke RN, Taylor JS, Cain KE, Lasala J, Mena GE, Meyer LA. Impact of an enhanced recovery after surgery program on outcomes in elderly patients undergoing open gynecologic surgery. Int J Gynecol Cancer 35(11):102660, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41061500.
- Wilke RN, Agusti N, Wu CF, Iniesta MD, Manning WB, Viveros-Carreno D, Kurian AW, Rauh-Hain JA, Melamed A. Association between germline BRCA1 pathogenic variants and uterine serous carcinoma among women with breast cancer: a population-based analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol 234(2):e37-e41, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 41109496.
- Iniesta, MD, Ramirez, PT, Munsell, M, Basabe, S, Shen, SE, Cain, K, Shafer, A, Lasala, J, Mena, GE, Wang, XS, Cohen, L, Meyer, LA. Integration of self-hypnosis in an enhanced recovery after surgery program in gynecologic oncology – A prospective randomized trial. Gynecologic oncology 198:96-103, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40466319.
- Huepenbecker, S, Iniesta, MD, Munsell, M, Mandayam, S, Ratanasrimetha, P, Cain, K, Mena, GE, Lasala, J, Ramirez, PT, Meyer, LA. No increase in chronic kidney disease after postoperative acute kidney injury in gynecologic oncologic ERAS surgery. Gynecologic oncology 198:168-175, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40505183.
- Taylor, JS, Fellman, B, Cain, K, Iniesta, MD, Earles, T, Harris, M, James, DA, Siebel, C, Lasala, J, Mena, GE, Raty, S, Popovich, SM, Vu, KD, Thosani, S, Best, CJ, Schmeler, KM, Ramirez, PT, Meyer, LA. Glycemic control to improve post-operative outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 35(1), 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 39878292.
- Pan, TL, Pareja, R, Chiva, LM, Rodriguez, J, Munsell, M, Iniesta, MD, Manzour, N, Frumovitz, M, Ramirez, PT. Accuracy of pre-operative tumor size assessment compared to final pathology and frequency of adjuvant treatment in patients with FIGO 2018 stage IB2 cervical cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 34(12):1861-1866, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39448083.
- Rauh-Hain, JA, Melamed, A, Pareja, R, May, T, Sinno, AK, McNally, L, Horowitz, NS, De Iaco, P, Michener, C, Van Lonkhuijzen, LR, Iniesta, MD, Yuan, Y, Ramirez, PT, Fagotti, A. Laparoscopic Cytoreduction after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Grade Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. JAMA Network Open 7(11), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39570589.
- Huepenbecker, S, Soliman, PT, Meyer, LA, Iniesta, MD, Chisholm, GB, Taylor, JS, Wilke, RN, Fleming, N. Perioperative outcomes in gynecologic pelvic exenteration before and after implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery program. Gynecologic oncology 189:80-87, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 39042957.
- Wilke RN, Iniesta MD, Fellman B, Jazaeri AA, Meyer LA, Fleming ND, Schmeler KM, Taylor JS. A colostomy for large bowel obstruction at the end of life: What do patients gain from palliative surgery?. Gynecol Oncol 188:120-124, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38945019.
- Taylor JS, Fellman BM, Raty S, Lasala J, Iniesta MD, Cain KE, Horner AA, Bruno M, Folloder JP, Knippel SL, Khanh V, Popovich S, Katz MHG, Best C, Thosani S. Detection and Management of Perioperative Hyperglycemia at a Tertiary Cancer Center. Ann Surg Oncol 31(5):3017-3023, 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 38347330.
Review Articles
- Viveros-Carreño, D, Beshar, I, Garcia, NA, Murthy, A, Mora-Soto, N, Iniesta-Donate, M, Barajas, K, Melamed, A, Rauh-Hain, JA, Wilke, RN. Contemporary risk assessment and risk-reducing strategies for tubo-ovarian cancer in women with BRCA pathogenic variants. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 36(6), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42056783.
- Garcia, NA, Iniesta-Donate, M, Fagotti, A, Rauh-Hain, JA. Minimally invasive surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. International Journal of Gynecological Cancer 36(3), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41775564.
- Aoun E, Iniesta MD. The Challenges of Implementing The Eras Protocol in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Clin Obstet Gynecol 68(4):525-531, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40990197.
- Meyer, LA, Schneider, A, Aghajani, H, Basabe, M, Martinez, LH, Estrada, GM, Iniesta, MD, Liao, Y, Sun, CC. Association of physical activity with self-reported quality of life after primary chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 42:5574, 2024. e-Pub 2024.
Book Chapters
- Nelson G, Iniesta MD, Ramirez PT. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. In: Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. 2nd, 2024.
- Trudeau P, Iniesta MD. Creating and ERAS Team and Order Set. In: The ERAS Society Handbook for Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2022.
- Salvo G, Iniesta MD, Ramirez PT. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. In: Principles of Gynecologic Oncology Surgery. 1st, 2018.
- Iniesta MD, Schmeler KM, Ramirez PT. Tumors of the Uterine Cervix. In: The MD Anderson Manual of Medical Oncology. 3rd, 2016.
- Vilar-Checa E, Iniesta MD. Venous thrombosis and embolisms during puerperium. Uterine subinvolution. Puerperal pathology of the breast. Other puerperal disorders. In: Treatise on Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine. 2nd, 2013.
- Hirko K, Iniesta MD, Merajver SD. Opportunities for molecular pathology research. In: Cancer Epidemiology. Low- and middle-income countries and special populations. 1st, 2013.
- Merajver SD, Iniesta MD, Sabel MS. Inflammatory Breast Cancer. In: Diseases of the Breast. 4th, 2009.
- Martínez MT, Iniesta MD, Usandizaga R. Bioethics in Obstetrics and Gynecology. In: Fundamentals of Obstetrics (SEGO). 1st, 2007.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 03, 2026