Updates from the SCRC
SCRC Review of 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, here we review our progress and plans thus far: In June, we officially launched the Sussex Cancer Research Centre (SCRC) as a collaborative hub to bring cancer scientists, clinicians, allied health professionals and patients together to pioneer interdisciplinary research to improve cancer treatments and patient outcomes. In doing so we were delighted by the level of interest and support, not only from the cancer research community, but from across the region. To facilitate these aims and to foster such collaborations we introduced a number of competitive awards. These included a fully-funded SCRC PhD Studentship. Further, we launched a Pump-Priming Fund to finance innovative cancer research projects. Lastly, we initiated the SCRC Creative Engagement Award to fund innovative projects that use art and creative approaches to connect with the community and raise awareness about cancer research. In this newsletter we are delighted to report some of the outcomes of these funding initiatives. In addition to these awards, we are facilitating collaborations through bringing together experts from across a number of research themes, and have also launched a cross-institutional mentoring programme.
SCRC Plans for 2025
Over 2025 the SCRC plans to continue to enhance collaborations through facilitating further interactions between researchers, clinicians, and patients across recently formed and new research themes. We hope to promote further engagement with industry in facilitating cancer research. We plan to strengthen our mentorship programme for early-career researchers to cultivate future leaders in cancer research. Through the SCRC Creative Engagement Award we will initiate innovative projects that use art and creative approaches to connect with the community and raise awareness about cancer research. We plan to encourage participation from people with lived cancer experiences in research discussions, ensuring their voices and stories are integral to the research process. We plan to organise community events where researchers, patients, and the public can interact, share knowledge, and discuss ongoing research projects aimed at improving cancer patient outcomes. Lastly, we plan communicate our collective research efforts and progress at our annual SCRC symposium.
Thank you
Importantly, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your involvement and support, and especially our sponsors - University of Sussex School of Life Sciences, BSMS, University of Brighton, the Sussex Cancer Fund, and philanthropic donors. If you have further suggestions, are interested in helping or supporting these activities or just want to get involved then we would be delighted to hear from you.
For Researchers
SCRC PhD funding outcomes
Thank you to all researchers who applied for both our PhD studentship (see above), and pump-priming projects. We had far more applications than we could fund and after a rigorous review process we're proud to have been able to support a range of projects from the bench to the bedside. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their generous support which has enabled us to provide this 3.5 year funded SCRC PhD studentship, including the University of Sussex School of Life Sciences, BSMS, University of Brighton and the Sussex Cancer Fund. Many thanks also to our independent reviewers. A key feature of this SCRC-funded studentship was to facilitate inter-institutional cutting-edge cancer research with a strong translational component. We are proud to announce that the SCRC-funded studentship was awarded to Frances Pearl and colleagues, who will use AI solutions to guide treatment strategies for cancers of unknown primaries. Starting in the new year we'll feature each funded project here, and on our website, so stay tuned to learn about the amazing work happening within the cancer centre. We also hope to be able to announce more funding opportunities very soon so watch this space. We should also add that the standard of applications was extremely high and as we can only currently fund one studentship we will work to support the unsuccessful applicants in seeking external funding.
Cancer Policy Research Theme
If you are interested in researching cancer policy, possibly around the themes of ensuring patient equality; prevention and early diagnosis; innovation in treatment and technology or personalised care, then please get in contact (asap) as we have a funding opportunity with the deadline of early January.
First SCRC-funded PhD now open for applications!
Applications are invited for a 3.5-year funded PhD studentship at the Sussex Cancer Research Centre available from September 2025 under the supervision of Dr Frances Pearl, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex. It will be co-supervised by Prof Laurence Pearl FRS FMedSci, (Sussex), Dr Max Whibley (RSCH) and Dr Eleni Ladikou (BSMS).
If you want to do a PhD at the interface of cancer research, artificial intelligence, and clinical practice then this is an incredible opportunitiy. We're so proud to have been able to support this project. For this and other positions currently available within the SCRC check out the jobs page.
General Interest Events
BSMS Debate Society: Lecturers vs Students Debate
BSMS Debate society are hosting a presidential-style debate to raise money for the Sussex Cancer Research Centre. It's sure to be a fun way to support cancer research in Sussex. On the 8th January two brave students are going to take on the lecturers. There will be opportunitiy for the audience to get involved too.
They will be debating the notion of: "The NHS should be privatised", so you know the debate is going to be exciting!
Tickets are £3 for students, available here, and £4 for non-students available here. A screenshot of your payment will get you into the event.
Thank you for supporting us, and we look forward to a good debate. See you there!
News
Dr Ethan Morgan wins prestigious 2024 IPVS Early Career Award
Dr Ethan Morgan, Lecturer in Biochemistry and Biomedicine, has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 IPVS Early Career Recognition Award by the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS). This honour celebrates exceptional contributions to the field of papillomavirus research. Dr Morgan’s works explore how HPV contributes to cellular changes that drive cancer progression and suggest potential pathways for therapeutic intervention in HPV-associated cancers.
New Grant for Dr Rhys Morgan
Dr Rhys Morgan has been awarded a 3 year project grant by Worldwide Cancer Research to tackle Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The project focuses on post-transcriptional networks in WT1-mutated AML, and kicks off in April 2025. Congratulations Rhys and keep an eye on his social media for project updates as the project progresses!
Bowel Cancer UK grant call launching in January 2025
Bowel Cancer UK are looking for proposals that support Goal 1 of their Research Strategy, which aims to stratify bowel cancer risk, improve screening sensitivity and coverage, and enhance diagnostic approaches. Innovations achieving a ‘stage shift’ or enhancing existing systems are welcome and patient involvement from the design stage is key. Applications for the Early diagnosis Project Grants are planned to open early next year. You could receive up to £165,000 for a project lasting up to three years.
For more information, visit the Bowel Cancer UK website: Apply for a grant | Information for researchers | Bowel Cancer UK
If you need assistance with building your team, contact us Hello@SussexCancer.org