Submitted by Catherine Atkins on Wed, 24/05/2023 - 12:05
On 15th May we were delighted to welcome the new Early Cancer Institute Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to the Institute for an inaugural meeting.
The Board was appointed in 2022 to coincide with our launch as a new Institute at the University of Cambridge.
Its role is to provide external and independent strategic advice to the management team of the Early Cancer Institute and to provide critical and constructive input into major decision making.
We are fortunate to have an eminent board with a wealth of experience across a broad number of sectors who are influential in their respective fields.
Sara Hiom VP, NHS Implementation & External Affairs at GRAIL Europe is a passionate spokesperson for early cancer diagnosis, previously working for Cancer Research UK for over 20 years.
Jos Jonkers is Senior Group Leader in the Division of Molecular Pathology, Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) and Harry de Koning is Deputy Head and Professor of Public Health and Screening Evaluation, Erasmus University, Rotterdam. Both made the journey from the Netherlands to join the meeting and give their excellent insight in person, for which we are very grateful.
The meeting was expertly chaired by Jason Mellad, CEO and Founder of Start Codon where he translates innovative technologies into better patient outcomes.
Manuel Serrano of Altos Labs joined us virtually from Madrid and added his wise vision to the discussion
The board also includes a patient representative, Caroline Haughey, KC who, alongside her relevant real-world legal experience, personally understands what it is to live with knowledge of cancer risks for breast cancer through genetic testing.
Unfortunately the final board member, Lord Prior of Brampton was unable to join us on 15th May, but regularly provides strategic guidance.
Following the lively and engaging formal meeting, the SAB toured the Institute and spent time meeting the Group Leaders on a one-to-one basis before reconvening for a poster session over drinks.
We aim for the SAB meeting to be an annual event and look forward to seeing the Board members again.