Prestigious funding awards for emerging leaders in cancer research
Posted on Monday 18 May 2026
Dr Simon Baker has been awarded a major five-year senior fellowship, jointly funded by Kidney Research UK and York Against Cancer, for his work targeting the "BK virus"—a common but often hidden virus that can get out of control in kidney transplant patients and damage the urinary tract.
Bladder cancer in the general population may also be a potential long-term consequence of poorly-controlled BK virus infections, which might happen more commonly as the immune system ages.
Meanwhile, Dr Vicki Jennings has secured a £125,000 grant from the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard scheme, a programme designed to help the UK’s most promising scientists launch their independent careers.
Dr Jennings’ research is on ovarian cancer, with a focus on exploring strategies for harnessing the immune system to recognise and destroy tumour cells, as well as understanding how tumour cells hide from our immune system.
A key aspect of Dr Jennings’ research is focussed on using viruses to treat cancer. Dr Jennings hopes that these novel therapeutic viruses will offer more effective treatment strategies with fewer side effects for cancer patients.
Professor Will Brackenbury, Director of the Jack Birch Unit, said: “These two prestigious grants provide the Jack Birch Unit with a fantastic opportunity to build on our generous support from York Against Cancer, and further expand our research into bladder and ovarian cancers to accelerate development of new treatments that can benefit patients in the future”.
Dr Baker said: “This £562,000 investment in my lab means we can continue our search for ways to tackle BK virus and the diseases it causes.
“We are looking for new antiviral therapies to improve the lives of transplant recipients suffering with BK virus. In the longer term, the aim in tackling BK virus is to prevent bladder cancers - taking inspiration from the successes seen in preventing cervical cancers by stopping HPV infection.”
Dr David Crosby, Chief Research Officer at Kidney Research UK, said "We are proud to support the next phase of Simon’s research, in partnership with York Against Cancer, building on the novel insights gained during his intermediate fellowship.”
Andy Knowles, CEO of York Against Cancer, said: “We’re delighted to be a funding partner for Simon Baker’s new five-year senior fellowship, alongside Kidney Research UK. At York Against Cancer, we’re committed to backing high-quality research that has the potential to improve outcomes for patients and families affected by cancer. Simon’s work is a great example of that commitment in action."
Dr Jennings said: “This award will allow me to develop an important aspect of my research programme which aims to develop new treatment options for ovarian cancer patients.”
“In this study, we will explore whether tiny particles released by cells, called vesicles, can be used to target and reprogram immune cells. By doing this, we hope to switch the immune system back on so it can better fight the cancer and improve treatment outcomes for patients.”
The Jack Birch Unit is supported by generous funding from local charity York Against Cancer. The Jack Birch Unit’s mission is to understand how the environment surrounding tumours shapes how they develop, progress, and respond to treatment, and to use this knowledge to benefit patients.
Notes on the Funders
Kidney Research UK is the leading charity in the UK focused on funding research into the prevention, treatment and management of kidney disease. Its vision is the day when everyone lives free from kidney disease and for more than 60 years the research it funds has been making an impact. But kidney disease is increasing as are the factors contributing to it, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, making the charity’s work more essential than ever.
Kidney Research UK works with clinicians and scientists across the UK. It collaborates with partners across the public, private and third sectors to prevent kidney disease and drive