Women in Cancer Network

Our Vision

Our goal is to create a strong network and improve opportunities and visibility for women in cancer sciences. We aim to:

• Champion Diversity & Inclusion: we are committed to embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion in all we do. Our goal is to address the unique challenges faced by women within the field of cancer sciences, advocating for equal opportunities to allow women to thrive and achieve their full potential.
• Offer Support & Mentorship: empowering women through our WOMENtorship in Cancer Sciences and Women in Leadership programmes, as well as ongoing and future events & opportunities.
• Provide opportunities and resources: collate and share insightful resources, opportunities, and news for women in cancer sciences through our website and across our mailing list to support women in their personal and professional growth.

WOMENtorship in Cancer Sciences Mentorship Scheme

Our newly launched and still growing mentorship scheme is designed to connect women in cancer sciences.

Each mentee is paired with a more senior mentor that will help them to achieve their full potential on a career-development level, also offering guidance and advice on challenges that women experience in academia.

Below are our current senior mentors:

Aliah Hawari

Computational biologist specialising in cancer genomics and data science with expertise in identifying genomic drivers of tumour evolution. Malaysian-born and educated before completing my PhD at University of Oxford, I bring global perspective to my research on diversity and ethnicity in cancer genomics and early detection strategies. Now a postdoctoral research associate at University of Manchester and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). My international journey and experience balancing academic advancement with family responsibilities positions me to mentor women navigating similar paths in science.

Mentoring areas:

• Women in computational biology/bioinformatics
• Research field transition
• International academic / academic mobility

Frances Turrell

Lecturer in Cancer Biology. Research focussed on investigating how the microenvironment influences tumour progression, dormancy, and metastasis in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, with a focus on age-related changes that promote metastatic relapse, aiming to identify high-risk patients and develop novel therapeutic and immunotherapy strategies to prevent late-stage metastasis and improve treatment outcomes.

Having recently embarked on my independent research career and started my own group, I can offer mentorship to those who are uncertain about their future career direction or whether to embark on the path to become a researcher leader. This includes mentorship around some of the challenges that are often encountered and that I have faced myself, (e.g. low confidence/self-doubt, how to build a network, how to become resilient and keep momentum, how to maintain a healthy work-life balance), and ways to navigate/overcome these.

Additionally, throughout my research career I have worked in many labs under supervisors/PIs with very different personalities and leadership styles and so I can offer mentorship around work/supervisor relationships and navigating conflict.

Mentoring areas:

• Career progression
• Transition to independence
• Work-life balance
• Effective supervision/leadership
• Navigating conflict
• Building self-confidence/ overcoming imposter syndrome
• Research project management/ research skills

Sarah Kitson

Clinician Scientist / Hon Consultant. Research focussed on endometrial cancer prevention and developing models to identify women at high risk of the disease within the general population. Establishing a career as a female academic surgeon is extremely challenging, evidenced by a paucity of role models. I would love to help mentor individuals thinking of pursing such a career path and to offer my own experience for support.

Mentoring areas:

• Combining clinical and academic careers, particularly for craft specialities
• Striving to achieve a work-life balance
• Developing research independence post PhD

Angela Davey

Physicist working in cancer research, radiotherapy and paediatrics late effects. My career and research interests are underpinned by the goal of improving patient outcome by using real-world healthcare data. I have expertise in statistical analysis for complex datasets and medical images. My current work aims to use routine data to develop kinder radiotherapy treatments to minimise late effects in childhood cancer survivors. [MPhys, PhD, and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester.]

Mentoring areas:

• Navigating tricky transitions, e.g. PhD to Post-doc.
• Beginning to establish independence during your post-doc years (e.g., identifying grant opportunities, confidently putting yourself forward for new opportunities)
• Share learnings from my experience with leadership coaching (e.g., staying true to your values and vision, daily habits for building confidence, finding and using your voice)
• Dealing with setbacks, anxieties, and impostor syndrome (something I still work on every day!)

Angeliki Malliri

Angeliki completed her bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Patras and obtained her PhD from the University of Crete, Greece. She worked as a postdoctoral scientist at the CRUK Beatson Institute in Glasgow and the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam. She established her independent research group in 2004 at CRUK Manchester Institute and moved to the Division of Cancer Sciences in March 2024. A focus of her lab has been the mechanisms controlling and mediating cell migration and invasion, definitive characteristics of malignant cells essential for metastasis. Even though initially her lab was investigating these processes in several cancers, recently they have been focusing on KRas-mutant lung adenocarcinoma and small-cell lung cancer. Angeliki’s lab has also been addressing KRas-mutant isoform selective functions in lung cancer development and response to treatments in close collaboration with Dr Colin Lindsay, Clinical Senior Lecturer at DCS. 

Mentoring areas: 

• Performing research in both research institutes and universities. 

• Starting your independent research group in academia 

• Grant applications, fellowship applications 

Cam Coulson-Gilmer

I’m a research fellow specialising in cancer biology, with a focus on ovarian cancer and replication stress. I am driven by my passion for translational cancer research; my work aims to identify the mechanisms underlying sensitivity to novel therapeutic agents. I have been part of the Division of Cancer Sciences for almost seven years, during which time I have gained increasing independence and confidence, although I still experience impostor syndrome. Through mentorship, I hope to help others recognise their strengths and progress in their careers with confidence. 

Mentoring areas: 

• Transition from PhD to post-doc research 

• Identifying funding opportunities 

• Navigating supervisor and colleague relationships 
• Maintaining a healthy work/life balance 

Cynthia Eccles

Professor Eccles, is an honorary MAHSC chair and translational radiotherapy research group lead.  Her research focuses on improving radiotherapy outcomes, with a strong emphasis on magnetic resonance image guided and adaptive radiotherapy, radiotherapy motion management and the validation of imaging biomarkers for treatment response. She is co-lead of the AHP Doctoral Academy, creating structured pathways for AHPs to become clinical academics and lead research-driven practice. Her work addresses the under-representation of AHPs in research and fosters a culture that translates findings into practical clinical applications. Through this initiative, Cynthia demonstrates a commitment to mentoring and empowering future AHP research leaders, particularly women in cancer sciences, by providing them with the tools and support to excel in impactful research. 

Mentoring areas: 

Happy to help with anything really… 

Eliana Vasquez Osorio

Computer scientist working in cancer research since 2004. She is currently a Senior Research Fellow in the advanced radiotherapy group, part of the radiotherapy-related-research. Her areas of expertise include image processing, non-rigid image registration, computational geometry, deformation modelling and treatment outcome modelling. She also works and teaches artificial intelligence techniques in the context of medical physics. Originally from Colombia, where she did her bachelor studies, Eliana as lived and worked in Germany, the Netherlands (where she did her PhD) and now in the UK. She also had a long career break after a difficult pregnancy.  

Mentoring areas: 

• During my international trajectory, I have always tried to adapt and absorb the best in every situation. I can mentor others who are moving between cultures (both social and research-wise). 

• Returning to academia after my career break was difficult.  I can share my experience and provide advice to others who are balancing academic progress with family responsibilities. 

Gillian Mackie

I have worked in cancer research for the last 6 years, and I am currently in my first postdoc position at the University of Manchester. My work is in the field of breast cancer dormancy, focusing on the ageing microenvironment and changes in immune populations. I have recently (2024) finished my PhD and spent some time working outside of academia as a medical writer. I have recent experience of finishing my PhD and finding the right next step for me. I also invested a lot of time and energy into building a professional network during my PhD which I would be happy to discuss and advise on, as it is often an undervalued skill in science.  

Mentoring areas: 

• Networking advice 

• Transitioning from PhD onwards 

• Work-life balance 

Hannah Harrison

Hannah Harrison is a research fellow at the University of Manchester with over 20 years of experience in cancer research, focusing on breast cancer development, risk, prevention, and metastasis. She has worked at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and completed a PhD in Oncology at the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research. Her research aims to improve translational cancer research by developing innovative models for studying tissue biology, cancer stem cells, and tumour microenvironments. Dedicated to 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), she has created models to reduce animal testing with support from organizations like NC3Rs and CRUK. 

Mentoring areas: 

• Transition to independence 

• Work-life balance 

• Building self-confidence 

• Research project management 

• Research skills 

Isabel Pires

I am a Lecturer in Cancer Biology and PI in DCS, where I lead the Tumour Hypoxia Biology group. My research focuses on tumour hypoxia biology and other aspects of the biophysical tumour microenvironment and their exploitation for therapeutic benefit. I am also the Social Responsibility (SR) lead for DCS and lead the Radiobiology unit for the Medical Physics in Cancer Radiation Therapy MSc amongst other teaching responsibilities.  

I have worked in both research intensive (UoM, CRUK-MI, University of Oxford) as well as more teaching focused (lecturer and SL at University of Hull for 10 years) institutions, so have experience of a wide array of contexts in UK academia, and of L&T in HE. I am also interested in ECR mentoring and support, maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the context of the demands of academia, and addressing the specific challenges for women in academia, at all levels. I am originally from Portugal, moved to the UK over 23 years ago, and am now a dual citizen. 

Mentoring areas: 

• Working in other UK universities (both research intensive or more L&T focused) 

• Moving positions mid-career 

• Balancing research demands in a more teaching intensive university 

• Developing a teaching portfolio in preparation for your 1st independent position 

• Pastoral care and team support 

• Adjusting to an academic career in the UK from those moving from abroad (EU)

Niki Flaum

I am a medical oncology trainee and clinical lecturer, splitting my time 50:50 between research and clinical work. My research interests include novel breast cancer biomarkers, early diagnosis and prevention of breast cancer in young women, and pregnancy-related/postpartum breast cancer. I also have two small children, and am passionate about supporting women balancing work, family, and their mental health.  

Mentoring areas: 

• Work-life balance 

• Clinical and research work 

• Considering career changes 

Sankari Nagarajan

I am a Lecturer in the University working on aggressive breast cancer models with a CRUK fellowship. I am the deputy director of Manchester Breast Centre. I am a female researcher from a BAME background who has been in academia for an extended period. I am also an ambassador of women in science promoting women empowerment and equity. Importantly I had a baby when starting my academic lab during Covid. I am very happy to share my experience, things I could have done better and how to stay sane in academia.  

Mentoring areas: 

• Staying sane in academia 

• Career development in academia 

• Fellowship applications 

• Navigating science and academia with childcare responsibilities 

• Overcoming postnatal depression and toning down your own expectations 

• Patient engagement 

Simona Valletta

I am currently a group leader at the University of Manchester, where my research interests include acute myeloid leukaemia, ageing and tumour microenvironment.  

Before moving to Manchester, I worked at the University of Oxford as postdoc before and PI later. With more than 10 years’ experience in academia, I have been always happy to mentor junior colleagues who have approached me about my career along the way.  

I am committed to mentoring women to find their voice and advance their career. 

Mentoring areas: 

• Career progression 

• Transition to independence 

• Work-life balance 

• Visibility/building international profile 

• Navigating conflict 

• Leadership 
• Networking 

Get involved

We are always looking to expand and recruit new members to help grow the network and support our ongoing goals and projects.

If you wish to join the network, please contact simona.valletta@manchester.ac.uk

You can also follow us on X (Twitter) @WiCN_Manchester