Alan Ashworth facts for kids

Alan Ashworth is a famous British scientist. He was born in 1960 in Bolton, England. He is known for his important work on genes linked to cancer. These are genes that can increase a person's risk of getting cancer.

Currently, he leads a big cancer center in the United States. It is called the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. This center helps people with cancer and does a lot of research. Before this, he was in charge of the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London.

Early Life and Education

Alan Ashworth went to St Mary's Primary School and Thornleigh Salesian College in Bolton. He studied Chemistry and Biochemistry at Imperial College London. Later, he earned his PhD in Biochemistry from University College London.

Alan Ashworth's Career in Cancer Research

Starting His Research Journey

Alan Ashworth began working at the Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) in London in 1986. He started as a scientist studying cells and molecules. In 1999, he became the first Director of the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre (BBCRC).

This center is now known all over the world. More than 120 scientists work there. They study breast cancer from its basic parts to new treatments. Alan Ashworth led the center until 2011. Then, he became the Chief Executive of the ICR until 2014.

Discovering Cancer Genes

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

Ten years later, Alan Ashworth found a new way to fight cancer. He discovered how to use weaknesses in cancer cells. This included cells with changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. This led to a new way to use a type of medicine called Poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. These medicines can target and stop cancer growth.

Focus on Patient Care

Alan Ashworth is very passionate about helping patients. His research aims to take discoveries from the lab and turn them into better care for people. He especially works on "personalized cancer medicine." This means finding treatments that are best for each person's unique cancer.

Moving to the United States

In 2014, Alan Ashworth left the ICR. He moved to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In January 2015, he became the President of the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. He also became a Professor of Medicine there.

New Initiatives and Collaborations

Since moving to UCSF, Alan Ashworth has started new projects. In 2016, he helped create the UCSF Center for BRCA Research. This center focuses on research related to the BRCA genes.

In November 2016, he launched the San Francisco Cancer Initiative (SF CAN). In 2017, he became the first leader of the University of California Cancer Consortium. These groups work together to fight cancer.

Awards and Recognition

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