Leeds scientist wins £125k award to tackle cancer with AI
Leeds researcher Dr Sharib Ali has been awarded £125,000 to develop AI solutions for early bowel cancer detection, as part of a £7.6 million national investment in scientific leaders.
In its largest-ever funding initiative for early-career researchers, the Academy of Medical Sciences is investing £7.6 million to tackle urgent health challenges, from Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and obesity to addiction and climate change's impacts on health.
Dr Ali, from the School of Computer Science at the University of Leeds, is one of 62 researchers selected nationwide to receive the Academy’s Springboard Award. His work will focus on developing an artificial intelligence system to enhance the early detection of bowel cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease – a condition affecting over half a million people in the UK and increasing cancer risk sixfold.
The AI system will integrate multi-modal imaging data to improve biopsy selection during colonoscopy, helping clinicians make better-informed decisions and improving patient outcomes. The project will be delivered with Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and the National Pathology Imaging Co-operative.
Dr Ali said: “I am honoured to receive the Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award. This award will support my passion for tackling cancer through novel AI techniques and interdisciplinary research.
“The two-year funding support from AMS can be fundamental in shaping my research group. With the added benefit of mentorship and career development trainings, it will enrich my career growth.”
Dr Ali is joined by colleague Dr Alexander Garvin, from the Faculty of Biological Sciences, who aims to develop new protein-level strategies for fighting lung cancer.
Each of the 62 selected scientists from 41 UK institutions will receive between £100,000 and £125,000, along with mentorship and career development support, to help establish independent research careers and drive innovation in biomedicine.
The Academy’s Springboard programme is supported by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Wellcome, and the British Heart Foundation. Launched in 2015, it has invested £43.8 million to accelerate the careers of future scientific leaders across the UK.
UK Science Minister Lord Vallance said: “Research supported by the Springboard programme can help to address some of the most pressing health challenges, like antimicrobial resistance and cancer, by giving early-career researchers across the UK the opportunity to test their ideas.
“Through this programme we are supporting the next generation of researchers to lead their groundbreaking research so that the UK can continue to be a pioneer in medical science.”
Applications for the next round of Springboard funding are now open. Institutions can nominate candidates by the end of April 2025.
