Abstract
Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald graduated from Cambridge University in 1992. She performed a research degree at Stanford University, California (1995–1997) and then undertook specialist training in gastroenterology as well as a period of postdoctoral research at Barts and The London Hospitals (1997–2001) before moving to her current position in Cambridge in 2001. At present, she is a tenured Programme Leader at the MRC Cancer Cell Unit, Hutchison-MRC Research Centre, Cambridge and Honorary Consultant in Gastroenterology and Oncology at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.
In Cambridge, Professor Fitzgerald is head of a multi-disciplinary translational research unit, which aims at improving methods for early detection of oesophageal cancer through better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis. This includes the genetic determinants of Barrett’s oesophagus and oesophageal cancer, evaluation of endoscopic and non-endoscopic screening for pre-cancerous conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract, research on clinical and molecular biomarkers in Barrett’s oesophagus and exploration of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of oesophago-gastric cancer.
Professor Fitzgerald was awarded the 2014 UEG Research Prize for a project on “Combination of quantifiable genomic assays with a patient friendly non-endoscopic cell retrieval device called Cytosponge™ for management of patients with Barrett’s oesophagus”. The project was praised for its practical and innovative approach to an important clinical problem, which maximizes the potential for successful application.
Rebecca Fitzgerald is married and has four children. The picture shows the presentation of the Research Prize to Professor Fitzgerald during the Plenary Session of the UEG Week Vienna on Monday October 20th, 2014, by Professor Magnus Simren, Chair UEG Scientific Committee, and Professor Michael Farthing, UEG President.