Richard Gilbertson

Professor Richard Gilbertson FRS FMedSci FRCP is a paediatric oncology clinician-scientist at the University of Cambridge and Senior Group Leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. He holds the Li Ka Shing Chair of Oncology, serves as Head of the Department of Oncology, and directs the CRUK Cambridge Major Centre and Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence.

His research focuses on the interplay between normal development and cancer origins, particularly brain tumors like medulloblastoma and ependymoma. Key themes include

• genomic and epigenetic profiling of pediatric cancers
• targeted therapies via developmental insights
• liquid biopsy applications
• cross-species modeling
• stress granule biology in oncogenesis

Recent publications highlight trends in

• pediatric brain tumor genomics
• potassium channel modulation of Wnt signaling
• metastasis regulation via ion channels
• virtual tumor modeling
• epigenetic-metabolic pathway targeting
• medulloblastoma subgroup-specific therapies

Scientific awards include

• Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS)
• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP)

He mentors clinical PhD students and leads major initiatives like the CRUK Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence and the Brain Cancer Virtual Institute. His work spans preclinical modeling, clinical trials, and multi-omic approaches to cancer biology.