Helen Townley
Williams Fund Research Fellow
Senior visiting Research Fellow (Engineering Science)
Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health (NDWRH)
Tell us a bit about your role
My research group works on nanoparticle technologies for applications in paediatric oncology. Nanoparticles can be used to transport chemotherapeutics directly to tumours, and can be modified with antibodies or nucleotides. Alternatively, their intrinsic properties can be used e.g. for radiosensitization, or they can also incorporate imaging components. The aim is to create better treatments with fewer side-effects.
What is the most meaningful aspect of your work?
Seeing students develop their research skills; both practical and intellectual. Also, working closely together with our sponsors from the Williams Fund shows us what impact our work could have on the paediatric patients and their families.
Can you tell us about something you've done, contributed to that you're most proud of?
I was able to see a project from idea, through several years of research, patenting, publishing, fund raising, market landscape and regulatory enquiries, through to spinning out a company. This brings the technology closer to the clinic, and the possibility to help treat cancer patients.
What changes would you most like to see in the Medical Sciences in the next 100 years?
Today, a world without antibiotics is unthinkable, yet this was the case less than 100 years ago. My hope would be that within the near future cancer can become a disease that is no longer feared, but is easily treatable with compounds and technologies which have little or no side-effects.