Cancer Research UK Appoints Muslim Professor as Chief Clinician
Professor Mariam Jamal-Hanjani has been appointed Chief Clinician at Cancer Research UK, taking on a leading role in shaping the charity’s clinical research and efforts to improve cancer treatment.
She is a Professor of Cancer Genomics and Metastasis at University College London and an internationally recognised researcher specialising in how cancer evolves, spreads and develops resistance to treatment.
Her work includes major studies investigating lung cancer, helping scientists understand how tumours change over time and why some cancers become harder to treat. This research could help pave the way for more targeted treatments and better outcomes for patients.
Cancer Research UK chief executive Michelle Mitchell praised her contributions, saying:
“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.”
Speaking about her appointment, Professor Jamal-Hanjani said: “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.”
She added that she wanted to accelerate the translation of research into better cancer outcomes, highlighting the NHS as a major asset in connecting scientific discoveries with patients.
Professor Jamal-Hanjani began her new role on October 2026, succeeding Professor Charles Swanton, who held the position since 2017.
Source: Cancer Research UK
