Future Leaders Academy

A major obstacle to progress is the limited number of scientists working in pancreatic cancer research. To make sustainable improvements to the lives of people with pancreatic cancer we need to train our Professors of the future, now.

Our academies are designed to attract world-class early career scientists into pancreatic cancer research, and provide them with mentorship and training to develop the essential skills and expertise needed to pursue their career as a leading scientist in pancreatic cancer. Providing support at this early stage of their careers, will ensure that the best researchers are ready to make the difference that we need in years to come, as well as right now.

These academies give PhD students access to state-of-the art facilities and leading experts. This gives scientists the best chance to drive positive changes in pancreatic cancer, and it helps the pancreatic cancer field attract and retain the research leaders of tomorrow.

Future Leaders Academy 2021: The University of Cambridge

As part of our second Future Leaders Academy, we’re funding five PhD students to take on the disease, in collaboration with the University of Cambridge. This collaboration will build on the success of the charity’s previous Future Leader Academy programme at the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, in Glasgow.

With supervision from senior members of the team at The University of Cambridge, students will help to advance our understanding of pancreatic cancer, while also developing the skills that will help them become the professors of the future. Dr Giulia Biffi will be overseeing the research projects and supporting the students as Academy Director.

The Academy has been made possible because of the wonderful generosity of the Ellis Family, in memory of Lesley Ellis. Lesley passed away on June 20th 2019, peacefully at home, surrounded by family, after a short but brave fight with pancreatic cancer. She was just 59. The Ellis family wish to support our Future Leaders to build their career in pancreatic cancer research and help make the breakthroughs that are so desperately needed.

Meet the 2021 Future Leaders and find out more about their projects

With your support we can fund even more of the UK’s brightest PhD students as they begin their research careers. Donate today and help fund our Future Leaders Academy.