Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani has been officially appointed as the new Chief Clinician at Cancer Research UK, stepping into a prominent leadership role designed to shape the charity’s overarching clinical research strategy and spearhead national efforts to dramatically improve cancer treatment outcomes.
A globally recognized expert in her field, Professor Jamal-Hanjani currently serves as a Professor of Cancer Genomics and Metastasis at University College London (UCL). Her academic and clinical career has been defined by pioneering investigations into the complex mechanisms of how cancer evolves, spreads throughout the body, and ultimately develops resistance to standard medical treatments.
Her extensive body of work includes leading major, high-profile studies investigating lung cancer, providing the scientific community with critical insights into how tumors change over time and why certain malignancies become increasingly difficult to treat. By decoding these evolutionary pathways, her research helps pave the way for the development of more precise, targeted treatments, offering renewed hope for more effective interventions and better long-term outcomes for patients facing complex diagnoses.
The appointment has drawn widespread praise from leadership within the scientific and medical communities. Michelle Mitchell, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, welcomed Professor Jamal-Hanjani to the role, emphasizing the immense value and depth of experience she brings to the organization.
"Mariam brings to Cancer Research UK deep experience of leading high-performing research teams that are delivering radical new insights into how cancer changes as it grows, spreads, resists treatment, and sometimes returns," Michelle Mitchell said, highlighting the critical nature of understanding tumor evolution in modern oncology.
Reflecting on her new responsibilities, Professor Jamal-Hanjani expressed both humility and enthusiasm for the path ahead. She noted the vital importance of translating rigorous scientific inquiry into tangible medical benefits that reach patients in clinical settings.
"Cancer Research UK has an extraordinary track record of turning scientific discovery into real-world benefit for patients, and the chance to help shape that mission is something I feel deeply privileged to take on," Professor Jamal-Hanjani stated.
She further emphasized her strategic vision to accelerate the translation of laboratory breakthroughs into practical clinical applications, pointing to the National Health Service (NHS) as an invaluable national asset capable of seamlessly connecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries with the patients who need them most.
Professor Jamal-Hanjani officially assumed her new position in October 2026. She succeeds Professor Charles Swanton, a distinguished oncologist and researcher who held the Chief Clinician position with distinction since 2017, guiding the charity through significant advancements in cancer genomics and personalized medicine during his tenure.