Sigourney Bonner co-founded Black in Cancer while studying for her PhD in paediatric brain tumours at the University of Cambridge. One objective is to increase the number of Black scientists in cancer research, which has led to establishing a Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme in partnership with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Windsor Fellowship. One of the first students supported by the funded programme, Randy Greaves, says studying on our MRes+PhD programme has given him the opportunity to realise a life-long dream.
Black scientists in Cambridge are driving change to help create a cancer research sector that better represents the wider population. Among them, an organisation co-founded by a Cambridge student to champion Black excellence in cancer research is also working to empower the Black community around the disease and break down harmful stigma and misconceptions. Black in Cancer was launched by Sigourney Bonner – with US colleague Dr Henry Henderson – while she was studying for a PhD in paediatric brain tumours at the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Institute, and Cambridge University. Sigourney, who is now a Postdoctoral Associate based at the CRUK Cambridge Institute, said: “Black people are still underrepresented in research while being overrepresented in cancer mortality. So, Black in Cancer is about addressing both of these challenges. We want to bring Black researchers to the fore, and at the same time create a trusted, and culturally informed source of information for people who are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer.” Since its launch in 2020, Black in Cancer – which recently moved its headquarters to Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute – has established partnerships with universities and research organisations in the UK and the US, created a conference series, developed a mentorship programme, and helped Black researchers access around £1.5m of funding. The organisation has also worked with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) on the launch of the Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme, in partnership with Cambridge University, to help develop the next generation of Black scientists in cancer research and tackle barriers to progression. Find out more about the programme: https://lnkd.in/e7v_gEV9 #ChangingTheStoryOfCancer #CambridgeUniversity #CambridgeResearch
Jodie A. Maybe worth connecting with Black in Cancer?
I am not retired
3moYou have done extremely well getting into Cambridge, I thought it was a very beautiful town, Kings College was my favourite building and my friend thought that Cambridge was more beautiful than Oxford!