Ruth Plummer

Professor Ruth Plummer is a leading clinical oncologist and cancer drug development specialist at Newcastle University's Faculty of Medical Sciences, where she serves as Professor within the Northern Centre for Cancer Care. Her career spans over two decades of pioneering work in early phase clinical trials and novel cancer therapeutics.

Professor Plummer's research focuses on developing innovative cancer treatments with particular expertise in DNA damage response mechanisms, PARP inhibitors, and targeted therapies for melanoma and other solid tumors. Her work bridges laboratory discoveries with clinical applications, emphasizing the translation of basic science into effective patient treatments. She has been instrumental in numerous first-in-human and phase I/II clinical trials that have shaped modern cancer therapeutics.

Her extensive publication record demonstrates consistent leadership in cancer research, with recent work focusing on combination therapies, immunotherapy approaches, and precision medicine strategies. Professor Plummer's research has significantly contributed to our understanding of how to effectively target DNA repair pathways in cancer cells, particularly through PARP inhibition.

• Principal Investigator for multiple national and international clinical trials
• Expert in phase I/II trial design and implementation
• Specialist in biomarker development for treatment response prediction
• Leader in establishing infrastructure for cancer drug development

Professor Plummer has received research funding from major cancer research organizations and pharmaceutical partners to support her innovative clinical trial programs. Her work has directly influenced treatment guidelines and therapeutic approaches for multiple cancer types, particularly in melanoma and ovarian cancer where PARP inhibitors have become standard of care.