Natalie Cook

Dr. Natalie Cook is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Experimental Cancer Medicine at the Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester. She is based at the Clinical Trials Unit, Oak Road Treatment Centre, and works with the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team delivering early phase trials to patients while developing her research interests in translational assay design and gastrointestinal oncology.

Education:

• Medical degree from University of Sheffield
• MRCP (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians)
• PhD from University of Cambridge, funded by CRUK Clinical Training fellowship
• Specialist training in Medical Oncology at Cambridge University Teaching Hospitals Trust
• 2012 Rothwell Jackson Postgraduate Travelling Fellowship for 2-year drug development research at University of Toronto and Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Dr. Cook's research focuses on the development of early phase clinical trials of experimental anti-cancer therapies, with particular emphasis on translational assay development and early phase trials for gastrointestinal cancers. Her work investigates the role of the Notch pathway in pancreatic cancer and explores precision oncology approaches through molecular tumour boards. She has made significant contributions to understanding rare cancers and developing novel immunotherapeutic approaches for solid tumors, with research spanning molecular profiling, biomarker identification, and personalized treatment strategies.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on precision oncology, with research spanning molecular tumour boards, early phase clinical trials for rare cancers, and novel combination therapies. Her work bridges the gap between laboratory research and clinical application, with particular attention to how genomic information can inform clinical decision-making for cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of translational research in improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Scientific Awards:

• Rothwell Jackson Postgraduate Travelling Fellowship (2012)

Dr. Cook is actively involved in teaching and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students in health-related specialties. She contributes to the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre and previously worked on the Cancer Precision Medicine Theme project. Her current research is supported through these major funding initiatives that advance precision oncology and early phase clinical trial design in cancer treatment.

She is a key member of the Experimental Cancer Medicine Team at the Clinical Trials Unit, Oak Road Treatment Centre, where she delivers early phase trials to patients while advancing research in translational cancer medicine, with particular focus on gastrointestinal malignancies and novel therapeutic approaches.