The Cambridge-based scientist, who received the Dr Josef Steiner Cancer Research Prize 2019 for medical discovery in cancer genomics, describes the pinnacle moments of her career and her personal achievement
With numerous headlines waxing lyrical about Dr Serena Nik-Zainal’s groundbreaking medical discovery with cancer genomics, this Cambridge-based scientist certainly needs no introduction. Her bittersweet journey in getting here, however, deserves to be told.
Prior to receiving the Dr Josef Steiner Cancer Research Prize 2019 for her holistic work in the field of cancer genome interpretation, Serena hails from a number of UK’s prestigious institutions.
At her alma mater, the University of Cambridge, she achieved first class honours in Medical and Veterinary Science Tripos in 1998 and subsequently a Clinical Medicine degree in 2000, before being awarded a CRUK Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellowship in 2017.
She also worked at the Wellcome Sanger Institute from 2013 to 2017, after earning a PhD in Cancer Genomics there in 2012.
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As the principal investigator of the Cambridge University’s department of Medical Genetics, Serena’s dedication to science and curative medicine flows like a reservoir. Now that she and her team have cinched world recognition for cancer research, Serena’s next step is to make her work useful by translating it to clinical applications. Through it all, the mother of two children takes it all in her stride as she keeps up with a stream of well-wishers.
Amidst her demanding schedule and travels, she took some time out to share with us how she found her calling when she least expected it, her thoughts on breaking the glass ceiling as an Asian female scientist, and what makes her work exceptionally meaningful.
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