Institute Professor Wins Prestigious Science Award, UK

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 10 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The Institute of Cancer Research's Professor Christopher Marshall FRS has been awarded the Royal Society's prestigious 2008 Buchanan Medal.

The medal is in recognition of his outstanding contribution to understanding how cancers develop and identifying major targets for cancer therapeutic treatments.

The Royal Society, the UK's national academy of science, awards the Buchanan Medal every two years in recognition of distinguished contribution to the medical sciences. The medal is named for Sir George Buchanan FRS (1831-1895) remembered for his pioneering work in public health.

Professor Marshall's current research focuses on identifying mechanisms that allow cancer cells to spread in the body in order to develop new therapies to prevent the growth of secondary tumours.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this award from the Royal Society in recognition of the work that my laboratory has performed in studying the molecular basis of cancer," Professor Marshall said.

Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, is delighted about this announcement:

"Professor Marshall's work has had a profound influence on our knowledge of signal transduction pathways which is vital to the development of new cancer treatments," he said.

"This outstanding achievement is a tribute to the quality of Professor Marshall's research and his award is an honour for The Institute of Cancer Research."

Martin Rees, President of the Royal Society said:

"Since 1731, the Royal Society's medals, awards and prize lectures have recognised excellence in science. They reward those that have made outstanding achievements in a wide variety of fields of research. They recognise exceptional scientific endeavour and their recipients have included the UK's greatest scientists."

You can find out more about the Royal Society and its awards programme here.

About The Institute of Cancer Research

The Institute of Cancer Research is Europe's leading cancer research centre with expert scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.

The Institute is a charity that relies on voluntary income. The Institute is one of the world's most cost-effective major cancer research organisations with over 95p in every £ of total income directly supporting research.

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The Institute of Cancer Research