Ruth Thompson

Dr. Ruth Thompson is a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow at the School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, UK. Her research focuses on understanding mitotic DNA damage checkpoints, cancer therapeutic strategies targeting cell cycle regulation, and mechanisms of tumor resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. She previously held a JG Graves Academic Fellowship at the University of Sheffield and conducted post-doctoral research at Mount Sinai Hospital (New York) and Geisel School of Medicine (Dartmouth College).

Education

• PhD, YCR Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Sheffield (2006-2010)
• BSc, Genetics, University of Sheffield (2003-2006)

Research Highlights

• Investigating mitotic DNA damage sensing mechanisms
• Developing checkpoint inhibitors to enhance cancer therapy
• Identifying novel targets in nucleolar stress response
• Advancing understanding of PARP/PARG pathways in genome maintenance

Scientific Contributions

• 2025: Discovered a mitotic checkpoint governed by SOD1
• 2022: Developed computational tools for cell cycle phasing
• 2019: Uncovered IRAK1-PIN1 axis in tumor radiation resistance
• 2015: Defined CDK2-dependent sensitivity to Chk1/Wee1 inhibitors

Awards & Fellowships

• Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow (2018-present)
• JG Graves Academic Fellow (2016-2018)