Dr Milène Volpato

Profile

I did my undergraduate studies at the University Paul Sabatier in Toulouse, France. I came to the UK in 2001, at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, where I obtained my PhD in Cancer Pharmacology, on the preclinical development of novel NQO1 targeting pro-drugs and predictive biomarkers of response in superficial bladder cancer, working with Professor Roger Phillips and Professor Paul Loadman.

I then worked on the genetic epidemiology of NQO1 polymorphisms in cervical cancer and their impact on tumour development and progression in the context of Human Papilloma Virus infection. I joined the laboratory of Professor TH. Rabbitts ( FRS) in Leeds, where I studied the molecular basis of lineage reassignment and leukemogenesis upon chromosomal translocation within in vivo MLL-related leukaemia models. I joined Professor Mark Hull and the Molecular Gastroenterology group in 2010. My research has since focused on the preclinical development of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in particular, for the prevention and/or treatment of colorectal cancer.

Responsibilities

• Module Lead, MSc Molecular Medicine
• Module Lead, MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy
• Athena Swan SAT member

Research interests

My work is centred on the pre-clinical development of the naturally occurring omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for the prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. I work with a range of pre-clinical models to investigate potential mechanisms of resistance to the omega-3 fatty acids in colorectal cancer in order to personalise therapy and develop a combination regimen to improve patient outcomes. In particular, I am investigating how EPA and DHA can enhance tumour response to a range of immunotherapies, including immune checkpoint inhibitor and oncolytic virus in a range of solid tumours.

Qualifications

• PhD Cancer Pharmacology
• MSc in Health Bioengineering

Professional memberships

• BACR
• AACR
• UK Therapeutic Cancer Prevention Network
• ECMC Junior investigator Network

Student education

I teach on several of modules of the MSc Molecular Medicine and MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy (School of Medicine) in the form of lectures and tutorials. I regularly supervise BSc, MSc and FY2 medical students during their research project, as well as postgraduate research students. 

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's