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

• Programme Lead, MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy
• Academic sub-dean for postgraduate assessment, School of Medicine
• Academic Adviser to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

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 inhibitors and oncolytic viruses in a range of solid tumours.

Current students:

Miss Nametso Khumo (PhD)

Mr Hanyang Sun (PhD)

Miss Isata Fofanah (MSc)

Past PGR students

Mr John Hutchinson

Miss Catriona Marshall

Mr Louis McLoughlin

Qualifications

• PhD Cancer Pharmacology, UK
• MSc in Health Bioengineering, France
• BSc in Health Bioengineering, France

Professional memberships

• BACR, EACR
• AACR
• UK Therapeutic Cancer Prevention Network

Student education

I am a LPGR for posgraduates students in LIMR

I deliver modules for  the MSc Molecular Medicine and MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy (School of Medicine), on laboratory research and cancer drug development

I am the programme lead for MSc Cancer Biology and Therapy and the Deputy Lead for MSc Molecular Medicine

I supervise BSc, MSc and FY2 medical students during their research projects, as well as PhD students. 

Research groups and institutes

• Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's