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 steer the charity’s clinical research strategy and accelerate breakthroughs in cancer treatment and patient care.
In her new position, Professor Jamal-Hanjani will take on a vital responsibility in shaping the direction of clinical investigations funded by the organization, guiding efforts to transform innovative scientific discoveries into tangible real-world benefits for individuals diagnosed with the disease. Her appointment marks a significant transition for the charity as it continues its ongoing mission to combat one of the world’s most challenging health crises through cutting-edge research, clinical trials, and strategic collaboration across the medical sector.
A distinguished figure in the scientific community, Professor Jamal-Hanjani currently serves as a Professor of Cancer Genomics and Metastasis at University College London (UCL). She is internationally recognized for her pioneering research specializing in the complex biology of how cancer evolves, spreads throughout the body, and develops resistance to conventional medical treatments. Her academic and practical expertise places her at the forefront of modern oncology, where understanding the dynamic nature of tumors is considered one of the key frontiers in improving long-term patient survival rates.
Her extensive portfolio of scientific work includes leading major, high-impact studies investigating lung cancer. Through this meticulous research, Professor Jamal-Hanjani and her teams have helped the global scientific community gain deeper insights into how tumors change over extended periods of time, why certain cancers mutate to evade therapeutic interventions, and why specific cases become increasingly difficult to treat. These crucial insights are widely regarded by medical professionals as foundational steps toward paving the way for more highly targeted treatments, personalized medicine, and significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients facing complex cancer diagnoses.
The leadership transition has drawn high praise from across the medical research sector. Michelle Mitchell, the Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, warmly welcomed Professor Jamal-Hanjani to her new role, emphasizing the extraordinary 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 immense value of Professor Jamal-Hanjani’s background in tackling the multifaceted challenges posed by tumor evolution and drug resistance.
Expressing her thoughts on taking on the prestigious position, Professor Jamal-Hanjani reflected on the legacy and future ambitions of the charity. She noted that stepping into this leadership role is both a professional honor and a profound responsibility given the organization’s historic impact on the landscape of oncology and patient advocacy.
"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.
Looking ahead at the strategic priorities of her tenure, she emphasized an unwavering commitment to accelerating the translation of laboratory breakthroughs into practical clinical outcomes that can directly benefit patients in need. In doing so, she specifically highlighted the National Health Service (NHS) as a monumental national asset capable of serving as a vital bridge, seamlessly connecting groundbreaking scientific discoveries with the everyday clinical care experienced by patients across the country. The integration of robust research initiatives within healthcare infrastructure is viewed as a cornerstone for fostering innovation and ensuring that life-saving advancements reach clinical settings as swiftly and efficiently as possible.
Professor Jamal-Hanjani officially commenced her duties as Chief Clinician in October 2026. In taking on the post, she succeeds Professor Charles Swanton, a highly regarded oncologist and researcher who held the position of Chief Clinician since 2017, steering the charity through a period of substantial scientific advancement and heightened focus on tumor heterogeneity and evolutionary dynamics.
With Professor Jamal-Hanjani now at the helm of its clinical research endeavors, Cancer Research UK looks forward to building upon its rich history of discovery, fostering collaboration among top-tier international researchers, and continuing its relentless pursuit of innovative solutions to outsmart cancer.