A Queen Mary, University of London scientist has received a prestigious Cancer Research UK Clinical Scientist Fellowship – one of four awarded to UK clinical investigators.
Dr Michelle Lockley has been awarded £852,000 by Cancer Research UK to develop her clinical academic career, bridging the gap between the laboratory bench and the patient’s bedside. She will receive a four-year fellowship to support her clinical academic research to develop new treatments for ovarian cancer, using common viruses, called adenoviruses, which are altered so that they kill cancer cells.
The funding is part of a three million pound total funding pot awarded to the four researchers - an important investment from Cancer Research UK, with the aim of identifying the next generation of clinical research leaders in the UK.
Dr Lockley, said: “This fellowship is a fantastic opportunity for me. My clinical practice is in ovarian cancer and my research is driven by the need to improve treatments for the women I treat. This award will provide me with the environment and support to progress my research into adenoviral gene therapy with the ultimate aim of developing new therapeutic approaches in ovarian cancer.”
Professor Philip Johnson is chair of the clinical interview panel and a world leader in cancer trials at the University of Birmingham. He said: “We saw oncologists, surgeons, haematologists, public health specialists and more. It was a tough decision, but we have found four great post-doc clinicians. These are people who see clinical problems that need solving, and then do research to find solutions. They have an exciting and rewarding career ahead of them.”
Dr David Scott, Cancer Research UK’s director of science funding, said: “The doctors receiving this funding are carrying out world-class research to develop new ways to diagnose and treat patients more effectively. We hope this funding will be an important boost to develop new approaches which we hope will ultimately increase survival from cancer.”
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