Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

🏆 Celebrating the 2024 Institute Award winners 🌟 For the last couple of years at our Institute Retreat, where we reflect on the scientific progress we've made and hope to make, we've also created a space to celebrate the PEOPLE who make the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute the amazing place that it is. Among many deserving nominees, this year's Award winners are: ❤️ Anna Toporska-de Grunwald Community Heart Award - Monique Sarjantson The Community Heart Award has been created to celebrate outstanding contributions to cultivating a positive culture and nurturing meaningful connections within the building. It is named in memory of a colleague who sadly died of cancer in 2023. Monique receives the award in recognition of her tireless efforts behind the scenes over many years to organise countless social events that bring together the whole Institute community. She cares hugely about the wellbeing of all Institute members and is a positive ambassador for the organisation, both across the Biomedical Campus and as a volunteer at Careers Fairs. 🎓 Mentor of the Year Award - Ian Cannell & Kirsty Sawicka Mentors play a crucial role in shaping the growth and development of our colleagues, and this award celebrates a standout mentor who has truly made a difference through their commitment to nurturing talent and building a stronger, more resilient community. Ian & Kirsty jointly receive this year’s award. Both are members of the Hannon Group and are generous and supportive mentors in their own right, however in repeated nominations they are mentioned as a pair! One PhD student reflects that, “From sharing protocols, knowledge and wisdom I will be forever grateful for them and feel lucky to have been able to work with such inspiring and selfless scientists.” 🦸 Unsung Hero Award - cathy pauley The Unsung Hero Award shines a spotlight on those exceptional individuals who consistently go above and beyond their roles to make a meaningful impact. By selflessly devoting their time and effort, they enrich our community and contribute significantly to the success of our shared mission.  Cathy has worked at the Institute for over 18 years, and the depth of knowledge about laboratory equipment, as well as her contacts within the Institute and across the University, that she has accrued over the years is invaluable. One nomination says, "her willingness to go above and beyond her regular duties should be recognised by all.”

The Institute currently has TWO EXCITING OPENINGS for researchers working in #AI and #MachineLearning. Whether you're a postdoc looking to lead your first major independent research project or you're seeking an opportunity to establish your own research group, the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute wants you to take your next career step with us. 🧠 Postdoctoral Transition Fellow (Senior Research Associate) Join Prof Richard Gilbertson's Group, working as part of the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Children's Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence, and use artificial intelligence and machine learning to create the world's first entirely digital models of the hardest to treat children's brain tumours. The role holder will be part of the CRUK CBTCE Early Career Research Network and will have access to career support and expert mentoring with the aim of applying for independent funding at the end of the project. 👉 https://lnkd.in/eeaR_KaR 💻 Junior Group Leader (AI for Cancer Research) We're looking for a highly motivated, early career leader who is ready to develop and head a research team focussed on leveraging the newest developments in AI for discovery science or translation, in biology or medicine. The position comes with a flexible start-up package that could fund: 🧑🔬 2 postdocs and a technician 🧑🎓 2 PhD students 🔬 Budget for our state-of-the-art Core Facilities 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGgXDPcB

We are hiring a core-funded Group Leader working in Artificial Intelligence! The position comes with a flexible start-up package that could fund: 🧑🔬 2 postdocs and a technician 🧑🎓 2 PhD students 🔬 budget for our state-of-the-art core facilities. The role will include developing and leading a research team focused on leveraging the newest developments in AI for discovery science and translation in biology or medicine. Find out more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eGgXDPcB University of Cambridge | Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation

📢 After a successful review, Cancer Research UK (CRUK) has committed an unprecedented £173 million to our Institute. Our research has already made a positive impact for patients and their families, from the development of diagnostic tests and advanced imaging methods, to the roll out of personalised medicine programmes. With this new funding, we aim to accelerate our impact for patients, with new schemes to integrate clinicians into every aspect of our research and to embrace new technologies like the promise of artificial intelligence to enhance our discovery portfolio. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/ejUPYdF9

7 October marks 30 years since a scientific paper was published identifying the BRCA1 gene for the first time. A new piece from the University of Cambridge explains how this discovery not only transformed our understanding of how cancers arise, but how they can be treated. We're so proud of the Institute scientists who have played pivotal roles in this process. This includes Prof Sir Bruce Ponder, who led the consortium responsible for the discovery of BRCA2, and Prof Sir Stephen (Steve) Jackson, whose work on DNA repair led him to develop an effective treatment for BRCA-mutation positive cancers. Jackson reflects, “It’s been a great example of cooperative research. It’s not just the fundamental scientists, it's the epidemiologists, it’s the pharmaceutical companies, it's the biotech companies and the patients themselves. Of course, there were some skirmishes along the way, but it's been a global effort, and one that the UK has played a major role in. It’s a great showcase for what we can achieve.” Click the link below to read the whole story 👇 https://shorturl.at/r1Jnb

👩🎓 Applications for our PhD Programme are now open! 🌍 There are over 90 postgraduate students at the Institute, with 2/3 from overseas, creating a truly international programme. Students benefit from our collaborative culture, state-of-the-art facilities, and comprehensive training and career development support.  You can view all available projects on our website: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gx3fEefb ⏰ Deadline: 31 October 2024 University of Cambridge | Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation #PhDfunding

✨ We are delighted to announce that Dr Madzia Crossley will be joining us as a Junior Group Leader in early 2025. Her research will focus on understanding RNA – DNA hybrid structures called R loops, how they contribute to cells becoming cancerous, and whether they can be used to detect cancer in the clinic. 👉 Read more about Madzia's research: https://lnkd.in/eg6wzxch Cancer Research UK Science and Innovation | University of Cambridge

Our IMAXT team has been awarded £5.2 million by Cancer Grand Challenges to establish the Spatial Profiling and Annotation Centre of Excellence (SPACE) at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, in collaboration with the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge. ✨ SPACE will use advanced 3D tumour mapping technology to provide detailed insights into tumour ecosystems, helping researchers study cancer in new ways. Originally developed for space research, this technology has the potential to transform cancer diagnosis and treatment. Led by Professor Gregory Hannon, Dr Dario Bressan and Dr Nicholas Walton, the centre will enable wider access to these groundbreaking tools for cancer researchers globally. Read more 👉 https://lnkd.in/eVPxzd6R

"We want to improve cancer detection and monitoring, so that every patient is given the best possible chance.” Prof Sarah Bohndiek and her team are developing #photoacoustic imaging technology that works for everyone. One of the challenges with the application of photoacoustic imaging, like several light-based medical technologies, is that it does not perform as well for people with darker skin tones. Melanin, the main pigment that affects skin tone, absorbs light, meaning less light can get through the skin to make a measurement. “We wanted to look at the physics behind the underperformance of light-based imaging technologies for people of colour, which could help us address it", says Dr Thomas Else. Corpus Christi College Cambridge | Clare College | Cancer Research UK (CRUK) | Cavendish Laboratory - Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge Find out more ⬇ https://shorturl.at/o25jE

"We are creating order out of the chaos.” Prof Florian Markowetz and Prof James Brenton, both Senior Group Leaders at Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, are among the Cambridge scientists celebrated for their pioneering research using AI to transform patient outcomes. AI VERSUS CANCER, read here ⬇ https://lnkd.in/ejKMmKC2 Cancer Research UK (CRUK) | University of Cambridge | Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre | Cambridge Biomedical Campus