Kathryn Simpson
Team Lead
Kathryn jointly runs the Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology Group with Caroline Dive at the CRUK Manchester Institute and leads the Preclinical Pharmacology Team in the CRUK National Biomarker Centre. The SCLC Biology Group aims to better understand phenotypic heterogeneity and disease evolution in SCLC. Combined with preclinical pharmacology, these research goals seek to provide detailed insight into basic research and biomarker-focused investigations that centre around understanding disease heterogeneity in patients, and to ultimately translate these findings into improved patient outcomes.
About Dr Kathryn Simpson
After completing her PhD studies in Cambridge, Kathryn joined the CRUK Manchester Institute in 2005 as a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist in the Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology Group (CEP), led by Professor Caroline Dive that eventually became the CRUK National Biomarker Centre. In 2009, she became Joint Team Lead of Preclinical Pharmacology, and in 2022 became Team Leader of the Preclinical Pharmacology Team in the National Biomarker Centre as well as Joint Lead with Caroline Dive of the Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology group in the CRUK Manchester Institute.
Kathryn has expertise in preclinical studies of SCLC, including CTC-derived explant models (CDX), PDX, patient derived material, ex vivo, in vitro and in vivo mechanisitic and functional studies
She conducts multidisciplinary biomarker research at the interface of patient care and research, both as part of a team and as a team leader.
Qualifications
- PhD in Biochemistry | 2004 | University of Cambridge
- BSc (Hons) Biochemistry with Industrial Experience | 2000 | University of Manchester
Interests
- Small cell lung cancer
- Liquid biopsies
- CTC-derived explant models
Publications
- TIAM1-RAC1 promote small-cell lung cancer cell survival through antagonizing Nur77-induced BCL2 conformational change
- Lineage Plasticity in SCLC Generates Non-Neuroendocrine Cells Primed for Vasculogenic Mimicry
- A biobank of small cell lung cancer CDX models elucidates inter- and intratumoral phenotypic heterogeneity
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“We are so pleased to have received the funding to enable us to test our hypothesis in the lab. If we can create a new medicine that can precisely target a specific type of cell within the tumour, and restore anti-cancer immune responses, this will be a game-changer for oesophageal cancer patients “
Sara Valpione
Former Institute Clinical Fellow and now Clinician in Residence within the CRUK National Biomarker Centre
“My charity bake sales – known as “David’s Great British Bake Off” – are always a hit, home baked products taste so much better than shop bought and are greatly appreciated by staff!”
David Jenkins
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“We’ve seen some remarkable responses, with an improvement for some patients within days. This is an early phase trial so there’s a lot more work to do. But the data we have so far is very encouraging and could help many thousands of people in the future”
Tim Somervaille
Senior Group Leader
“It is a pleasure to introduce my team who work to deliver our research goals. We work in a friendly and collaborative environment, supporting each other’s projects. “
Amaya Virós
CRUK Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellow
“We are so pleased to have received the funding to enable us to test our hypothesis in the lab. If we can create a new medicine that can precisely target a specific type of cell within the tumour, and restore anti-cancer immune responses, this will be a game-changer for oesophageal cancer patients “
Sara Valpione
Former Institute Clinical Fellow and now Clinician in Residence within the CRUK National Biomarker Centre
“My charity bake sales – known as “David’s Great British Bake Off” – are always a hit, home baked products taste so much better than shop bought and are greatly appreciated by staff!”
David Jenkins
Purchasing Officer
“We’ve seen some remarkable responses, with an improvement for some patients within days. This is an early phase trial so there’s a lot more work to do. But the data we have so far is very encouraging and could help many thousands of people in the future”
Tim Somervaille
Senior Group Leader
“It is a pleasure to introduce my team who work to deliver our research goals. We work in a friendly and collaborative environment, supporting each other’s projects. “
Amaya Virós
CRUK Advanced Clinician Scientist Fellow