Professor Ludwig Dubois appointed as Chair in Experimental and Translational Radiobiology
After an international search, the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) and Division of Cancer Sciences – Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health (FBMH) are delighted to welcome Professor Ludwig Dubois as the new Chair in Experimental and Translational Radiobiology at The University of Manchester.
Professor Dubois’ previous appointment was within the Maastricht University, Netherlands. He will take up his new post in Manchester on 1st March 2026.
He will spearhead discovery and translational biology research within UK Proton Research Facility and drive proton physics collaborations between FBMH and the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE).
In his new role, Professor Dubois will establish and lead a cutting-edge programme in radiobiology and pre-clinical translational experimental research, with a particular emphasis on combined treatment strategies that highlight new uses for proton beam therapy. His planned research programme will build the evidence base for proton and proton FLASH therapies in combination with targeted and immune therapies, to accelerate new radiotherapy treatment indications across the NHS.
I’m honoured to join the Manchester Cancer Research Centre as Chair of Experimental and Translational Radiobiology. I aim to establish a dynamic radiobiology programme that deciphers the biology of proton radiotherapy response and resistance, explores combined modality approaches and bridges preclinical and clinical research. I am looking forward to collaborating with talented scientists and clinicians within the MCRC, NHS and other stakeholders to advance personalised radiotherapy for the benefit of patients.
Professor Ludwig Dubois
Professor Dubois’s research emphasises the roles of functional imaging, tumour biology and drug development as applied to problem of tumour hypoxia, a factor responsible for treatment resistance and metastatic spread. More recently, his work has expanded to include the mechanisms underpinning radiotherapy-induced normal tissue toxicity and use protons and other mitigating strategies to prevent long-term complications.
Altogether, Professor Ludwig’s programme will form the pre-clinical basis for new clinical trials, through collaborations with clinical academics in the MCRC and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
I am extremely pleased that Professor Ludwig will be joining the MCRC. He has a proven track record in driving translational science directly into clinical trials, as evidenced by his work on hypoxia-targeting agents. His recruitment is an exemplar for the MCRC partnership with support from DCS-FBMH, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and The Christie Charity and as well as support from our CRUK Centre and RadNet awards. I fully expect he will catalyse biology and physics within Manchester’s world-leading radiotherapy programme, through levering of his international network of collaborators. Importantly, he brings valuable experience and learnings in acquiring Horizon-ERC grants, in direct alignment with MCRC strategic initiatives.
Professor Rob Bristow
Director, Manchester Cancer Research Centre
We are thrilled to welcome Professor Dubois to Manchester. His cutting edge expertise in proton therapy and tumour microenvironment biology will add real strength to our programmes and open new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across the Division and between scientists and clinicians. We are delighted he is joining us and look forward to the scientific advances his perspective and leadership will undoubtedly help drive.
Professor Stephen Taylor
Head of the Division of Cancer Sciences
I'm thrilled to welcome Ludwig Dubois to our team at the MCRC. His world-leading expertise in proton beam radiobiology is exactly what we need to complement our radiation physics and computational modelling work to reduce side-effects. His appointment is timely as we push forward with projects like BRAINatomy, that aim to understand and minimise cognitive effects of paediatric brain tumour treatment. Working together, our mechanistic expertise in biology and physics will lead to improved patient outcome, in ways that simply weren't possible before.
Professor Marianne Aznar
Professor of Radiation Oncology Physics, Division of Cancer Sciences
Professor Dubois has served as Meeting Organiser or Committee Chair within several leading international societies, including: ESTRO (European Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology), SMI (Society for Molecular Imaging), NVRB (Dutch Society for Radiation Biology), and EACR (European Association for Cancer Research) and serves on the ESTRO Biology and Education Committee.
Professor Dubois has established an international reputation as an expert in imaging and targeting of the tumour microenvironment and has been invited to speak at more than 50 international conferences. He has led, co-led and participated in multiple EU‑funded research consortia, including Euroxy, Metoxia, MSCA-ITN Radiate, and SCANnTREAT, and currently coordinates the MSCA-ITN THERADNET network.
Professor Dubois brings an exceptional depth of expertise that will strengthen our Faculty’s strength in radiobiology and cancer research. His innovative approach to proton therapy and translational science aligns perfectly with our ambition to drive forward discoveries that make a genuine difference to patient care. We are very pleased to welcome him to Manchester and look forward to the momentum his leadership will generate across the FBMH and FSE research communities.
Professor Ashley Blom
Vice-President and Dean for the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
Professor Dubois’s appointment reflects our commitment to advancing scientific excellence that directly benefits society. His leadership in experimental and translational radiobiology will play a vital role in positioning Manchester as an international hub for proton research and innovative cancer treatment. We are proud to welcome him to our University and look forward to the impact his work will have on patients, clinicians, and the global scientific community.
Professor Duncan Ivison
President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester
In recognition of his contributions to the imaging and targeting of tumour hypoxia, he was awarded the ESTRO–Varian Juliana Denekamp Award at the 14th International Wolfsberg Meeting on Molecular Radiation Biology/Oncology in 2015. He now is now a lead Organiser of the Wolfsberg same meeting, imparting mentorship to early career investigators around the UK and EU.
We extend a very warm Manchester welcome to Professor Dubois and look forward to an exciting research programme which is designed to directly impact on cancer care and improve cancer outcomes worldwide.
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