University College London appoints the next Director of the UCL Cancer Institute

Professor Gert Attard, John Black Charitable Foundation Endowed Chair in Urological Cancer Research and Team Leader of the Treatment Resistance Group at the UCL Cancer Institute has been appointed as the next Director of the UCL Cancer Institute.

The UCL Cancer Institute is the hub for cancer research at University College London. The Institute draws together over 400 talented scientists who are working together to translate research discoveries into developing kinder, more effective therapies for cancer patients.

Society was retained by UCL for this pivotal appointment to conduct an international search for world-class academics who are passionate about driving advancements in cancer research and leading a diverse team. The incoming Director of the UCL Cancer Institute will develop and deliver a strategy to further enhance the globally-leading research portfolio of the Institute and lead groundbreaking initiatives.

Professor Attard is a clinician scientist and team leader at UCL Cancer Institute, and honorary medical oncology consultant at University College London Hospital. His main research interest is dissecting treatment resistance, currently with a focus on plasma DNA analysis, in order to inform on the development of novel therapeutics and biomarkers for castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). He is an experienced clinical trialist in CRPC and a co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts, including several important papers on advanced prostate cancer.

Professor Attard’s many awards over the years include the ASCO Foundation Annual Merit Award in 2007, Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investor Award in 2008, the AACR-GlaxoSmithKline Outstanding Clinical Scholar Award in 2009, the Medical Research Society/Academy of Medical Sciences Sue McCarthy Prize in 2010, the McElwain award in 2010 and the Cancer Research UK Future Leaders Award in 2017. Professor Attard is an associate editor with ESMO official journal Annals of Oncology and sits on the scientific advisory boards of several companies.

On his appointment, Professor Attard commented “I look forwards to taking over from Tariq Enver as director of the UCL Cancer Institute in September. I am confident the Institute will continue to make important discoveries that improve the lives of cancer patients and deliver world-class training to the next generation of scientists. I am proud to be leading so many excellent teams and world-class faculty.”

Professor Attard takes up the Directorship in September and Society would like to wish him all the best in his new role.