13 July 2011
Cancer Research UK invests in future world-leading scientist in Dundee
CANCER RESEARCH UK has awarded Dr Sonia Rocha from the University of Dundee a prestigious fellowship as part of a series of grants given to new investigators who are set to become the eminent cancer scientists of the future.
The charity has awarded £12 million to 10 exceptional researchers from across the country to develop their careers and to aid exciting discoveries that will help more people beat cancer than ever before.
Dr Rocha will receive a six-year Senior Cancer Research Fellowship totalling around £1,100,000.
Senior Cancer Research Fellowships support outstanding independent investigators in building on their previous work by allowing them to develop a world-class research group.
Dr Rocha will use the fellowship to understand how molecules in our cells respond to certain stresses and how they talk to each other to make sure the cells don’t progress to cancer.
Dr Rocha said: 'I am delighted to have received this award from Cancer Research UK, which will allow me to embark on an ambitious and rewarding project. This funding recognises the importance of this type of research as the foundation of novel and more effective cancer therapies.'
Dr David Scott, Cancer Research UK’s director of science funding, said: 'Having 10 awards available sends out the important message that Cancer Research UK is serious about supporting new scientists at the start of their careers.'
Professor Margaret Frame is chair of the panel of world-renowned cancer experts that helped to select these scientists and science
director at the Edinburgh Cancer Research UK Centre. She said: 'It was highly competitive and we ended up with an excellent set of individuals. Now Cancer Research UK will nurture their talent and their passion for cancer research.
'I am always amazed by the breadth of wonderful new innovation and ideas that I see at these interviews. The funding from Cancer Research UK will give these ten scientists the time and resources to take on challenging problems in cancer. It will be exciting to see what comes out of these projects over the next few years. I look forward to watching them develop their own independent careers and join the next generation of cancer research leaders in the UK and internationally.'
Cancer survival rates have doubled since the 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
Cancer Research UK spends around £33 million each year in Scotland, including funding research at the Dundee Cancer Centre, a partnership between Cancer Research UK, the University of Dundee and NHS Tayside.
For media enquiries, please contact:
John Fyall on 0131 243 2644 or 07713 687200; or Rachel Gonzaga in the Cancer Research UK press office on 020 3469 8252 or, out of hours, 07050 264 059.
Notes to editors:
For more information on the grants visit:
www.cancerresearchuk.org/new-investigator-awards.
Career Establishment Awards http://science.cancerresearchuk.org/funding/find-grant/all-funding-schemes/career-establishment-award.
Career Development Fellowship http://science.cancerresearchuk.org/funding/find-grant/all-funding-schemes/career-development-fellowship
Senior Cancer Research Fellowship http://science.cancerresearchuk.org/funding/find-grant/all-funding-schemes/senior-cancer-research-fellowship
About Cancer Research UK
- Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research
- The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public.
- Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates double in the last forty years.
- Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses.
- Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org
Jolene Cargill
Regional Press Support Scotland, Race For Life
Cancer Research UK
For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902 |
