Spotlight on Dr Nirupa Murugaesu, Notting Hill and Ealing High School

As we count down to the GDST Alumna of the Year Award 2018, we’re shining the spotlight on each of our trailblazing finalists. Here, we find out more about Dr Nirupa Murugaesu, alumna of Notting Hill and Ealing High School.

Dr Nirupa Murugaesu is the Clinical Lead for Molecular Oncology at Genomics England. She provides clinical leadership and oversight of the Cancer Programme for The 100,000 Genomes Project, the groundbreaking genome sequencing project – and the largest national sequencing project of its kind in the world – set up to harness the power of genomics in the treatment of rare diseases and cancers.

The project involves sequencing the DNA codes of cancer patients, in order to be able to provide better, earlier diagnoses and personal care for sufferers. By comparing DNA from a tumour and from a patient’s normal, healthy, cell precise changes are identified, which then inform doctors about the best treatment for individual patients.

The project is not only transforming cancer care in the NHS, but is also helping to kick-start the genomic industry in the UK. Her work involves engagement of the UK clinical academic community to enhance delivery of molecular testing in NHS clinical cancer care and establish a national research platform of linked molecular and clinical data.

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