Two Wales Cancer Research Centre (WCRC) researchers, Dr Mat Clement and Dr Carly Bliss, have been awarded Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS) Springboard awards. These grants provide up to £125,000 over two years, along with a tailored package of career support, to assist newly independent biomedical scientists in launching their research careers.
Dr Carly Bliss, a Lecturer in Cancer Immunology at Cardiff University, focuses on developing pre-clinical cancer therapies that utilise adenoviruses. Her research includes different approaches to harness and redirect antiviral T-cells against cancer, as well as cancer vaccine strategies deploying novel vectors based on rare adenovirus serotypes to prime anti-tumour immune responses.
On receiving the award Dr Bliss said:
“I am thrilled to have my research supported by The Academy of Medical Sciences and am humbled to stand amongst the excellent scientists who have also received this support. This Springboard award will enable me to grow my research group and explore new ways to tackle cancer by using viruses to stimulate the immune system. The current target of this research is pancreatic cancer and cancers of the head and neck; however, longer term I hope to expand our immunotherapeutic approaches to a wide range of solid tumours. WCRC’s steadfast support of my research has been instrumental in expanding key preliminary data and building towards this prestigious award from The Academy of Medical Sciences.”
WCRC Research Fellow Dr Mat Clement’s work aims to identify key regulators of T-cell function in glioblastoma. Utilising spatial transcriptomics from freshly resected tumours, he analyses immune suppressive regions that inhibit the host’s immune system compared to non-suppressive regions, which are then tested. This work aspires to inform the design of more effective immunotherapies for glioblastoma.
Dr Clement commented:
“I’m over the moon to receive this funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences. This funding will allow me to investigate some of the key reasons behind why Glioblastoma (GBM), which is an untreatable brain cancer and one of the most poorly survived cancers, is able to grow unchecked and freely in the brain. This will hopefully inform new ways to allow me to design more effective immunotherapies for GBM and give new hope to patients with this devastating disease. I’m very grateful to the WCRC and my other funders who have supported allowing me to generate the preliminary data required for this prestigious award.”
In addition to the financial grant, awardees also gain access to the Academy’s acclaimed mentoring and career development programme, helping to build collaborations and further career advancement opportunities.
On hearing about the awards WCRC Director Prof. Mererid Evans said:
“I am absolutely delighted for Dr Carly Bliss and Dr Mat Clement on receiving these well-deserved AMS Springboard awards. Their success is a testament to their dedication and innovative research in cancer immunotherapy. The entire WCRC team is incredibly proud of their achievements.
We are also pleased that WCRC’s support has played a role in helping them secure this award, providing a foundation to expand their research and teams. Continued investment in research infrastructure is vital to advancing breakthroughs in cancer treatment, and we look forward to seeing the impact of their work in the years to come.”