Oxford, UK and Cleveland, Ohio, US, July 1, 2026
The Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre (OHC) has announced a major expansion of its rare childhood cancer research program following a £5.25 million partnership between the University of Oxford and The Little Princess Trust. As part of the initiative, internationally recognized cancer genomics expert Professor Isidro Cortés-Ciriano has been appointed as the inaugural Little Princess Trust Professor of Paediatric Oncology. The new academic position will lead a dedicated childhood cancer research program within Oxford’s Department of Paediatrics while also providing scientific leadership for Oxford-Harrington’s Cancer Theme. The collaboration is designed to strengthen education, research, and translational medicine by combining Oxford’s internationally renowned expertise in cancer biology, genomics, computational science, and clinical research with drug development capabilities at the Harrington Discovery Institute in Cleveland, Ohio. The initiative aims to accelerate scientific discoveries into innovative therapies for children with rare and difficult-to-treat cancers, addressing one of the most urgent unmet needs in pediatric oncology.
New Professorship Expands Oxford’s Pediatric Cancer Research Leadership
The appointment of Professor Isidro Cortés-Ciriano represents a significant investment in academic excellence and pediatric cancer research. Widely recognized for his pioneering work in computational cancer genomics, artificial intelligence, and precision oncology, Professor Cortés-Ciriano previously conducted internationally acclaimed research at EMBL-EBI in Cambridge. His work has focused on understanding how cancers develop through genomic analysis while identifying novel therapeutic targets using advanced computational methods. In his new role, he will establish a multidisciplinary childhood cancer research program that integrates genomics, molecular biology, clinical oncology, and drug discovery. His appointment is expected to foster new collaborations across Oxford, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the wider Oxford-Harrington research network, creating new educational and research opportunities for scientists, clinicians, and students working in pediatric oncology.
£5.25 Million Partnership Supports Research, Education and Innovation
The £5.25 million funding partnership with The Little Princess Trust, the second-largest funder of childhood cancer research in the United Kingdom, provides long-term support for advancing pediatric cancer education and scientific innovation. The charity has already funded more than 165 childhood cancer research projects, reflecting its commitment to improving treatment options for young patients. According to Wendy Tarplee-Morris MBE, Co-founder of The Little Princess Trust, every child diagnosed with cancer deserves access to safer and more effective treatments. The partnership combines world-class academic research at the University of Oxford with translational drug development expertise from the Harrington Discovery Institute, creating an environment where scientific discoveries can progress more rapidly toward clinical application. The initiative also strengthens educational programs by supporting future researchers and clinicians dedicated to pediatric oncology and precision medicine.
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Global Academic Collaboration Aims to Transform Childhood Cancer Care
Childhood cancer remains one of the leading causes of disease-related death among children worldwide, with approximately 20,000 children and young people diagnosed each year across the United Kingdom and the United States. While treatment outcomes have improved for some cancers, many rare and relapsed childhood cancers continue to have limited therapeutic options. Leaders at the Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre believe that combining genomics, artificial intelligence, translational medicine, clinical research, and drug development will accelerate the discovery of personalized therapies for these patients. Professor Matthew Wood, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of the Centre, emphasized that Professor Cortés-Ciriano’s appointment strengthens Oxford-Harrington’s ability to translate scientific discoveries into real-world treatments. Dr. Matthew Anderson, Co-Director of the Centre, added that the expanded Cancer Theme will enhance ongoing research in brain tumors, Hodgkin lymphoma, blood cancers, and eye cancers, reinforcing the Centre’s mission of advancing education, research, and innovation while delivering next-generation therapies for children with rare cancers
Source: Oxford-Harrington Rare Disease Centre press release
