Alan Ashworth facts for kids

Alan Ashworth is a British scientist born in 1960. He is a molecular biologist, which means he studies the tiny parts of living things, like genes. He is famous for his important work on genes that can increase the risk of getting cancer.

Currently, Dr. Ashworth leads a big cancer center in the United States. It's called the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Francisco. This center helps people with cancer and does a lot of research to find new ways to fight the disease. Before this, he was the head of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London.

Early Life and Education

Alan Ashworth grew up in Bolton, England. He went to St Mary's Primary School and then Thornleigh Salesian College.

He studied Chemistry and Biochemistry at Imperial College London. Later, he earned his PhD in Biochemistry from University College London.

Career in Cancer Research

Dr. Ashworth started working at the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) in London in 1986. He was a scientist studying cells and molecules.

In 1999, he became the first Director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre. This center became well-known around the world. It has over 120 scientists working to understand and treat breast cancer. Dr. Ashworth led this center until 2011. After that, he became the Chief Executive of the ICR until 2014.

Discovering Cancer Genes

One of Dr. Ashworth's biggest achievements is his work on genes linked to cancer risk. In 1995, he was part of the team that found the BRCA2 gene. This gene is connected to a higher risk of certain cancers. Today, doctors use this discovery to help identify women who might be at a higher risk.

About ten years later, Dr. Ashworth found a new way to fight cancer. He discovered how to use weaknesses in cancer cells, especially those with changes in genes like BRCA1 or BRCA2. This led to a new way of using special medicines called Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. These medicines target and attack cancer cells more effectively.

Dr. Ashworth is very passionate about using his lab discoveries to help patients. He believes in "personalized cancer medicine." This means finding treatments that are best for each person's unique cancer.

Leading Cancer Centers

In 2014, Dr. Ashworth moved to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He became the President of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. He also took on other important roles there, helping to lead cancer services.

In 2016, he helped start the UCSF Center for BRCA Research. This center focuses on studying the BRCA genes. In November 2016, he also launched the San Francisco Cancer Initiative (SF CAN). This program works to improve cancer care in the San Francisco area. In 2017, he became the first leader of the University of California Cancer Consortium. This group brings together cancer experts from across California.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Alan Ashworth has received many awards for his important work:

• 1991 British Postgraduate Medical Federation Prize
• 1999 Elected to European Molecular Biology Organization
• 2002 Elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences
• 2008 Fellow of the Royal Society
• 2009 European Society for Medical Oncology Lifetime Achievement Award
• 2009 Elected Fellow of the European Academy of Cancer Sciences
• 2010 Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation David Workman Memorial Award
• 2010 Meyenburg Foundation Cancer Research Award
• 2013 Basser Global Prize
• 2015 Spirit of Empowerment Award, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered (FORCE)
• 2015 Genetics Society Medal
• 2016 Drexel Prize in Cancer Biology
• 2016 American Association for Cancer Research Board of Directors
• 2017 Komen Brinker Award for Scientific Distinction