The award recognises her work on developing promising biomarkers to precisely determine those patients who respond best to immunotherapy for head and neck cancer.
Head and neck cancer is a significant problem in the UK with over 4,000 deaths annually. The programme of research investigated the ability of the patient’s own immune system to be primed to attack the patient’s cancer.
Professor Mark Lawler, Professor of Digital Health and Chair in Translational Cancer Medicine and the architect of the joint training programme, said: “The situation for head and neck cancer has worsened in the UK due to the indirect impact of the Covid pandemic, so it is crucial that we deliver the best possible care that we can. Dr Taylor’s work highlights how a precision medicine approach can potentially help deliver significant benefit and improve survival for patients with head and neck cancer.”
The initiative received significant funding from the Health and Social Care (HSC) Research and Development Division, Public Health Agency, Northern Ireland.
Dr Janice Bailie, Assistant Director of the HSC Research and Development Division in Northern Ireland, said: “We are delighted that this initiative which we have supported has been recognised through an international award. The joint fellowship programme is a significant capacity builder for Northern Ireland. Leaders like Dr Taylor represent the future, using innovative research to develop the new diagnostics and treatments that our patients urgently need.”
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