Dr Karen Slattery, Translational and Clinical Project of the Year Award winner
Award-winning projects include a new potential treatment path for high-grade ovarian cancer, and Ireland’s first patient-led metastatic breast cancer research initiative
25 February 2025: People involved in ground–breaking research projects around the country were honoured at the Irish Cancer Society Research Awards on Thursday, February 20th, at the Irish Cancer Society Head Office in Ballsbridge, Dublin.
In 2024 alone, the Irish Cancer Society funded over 25 new research projects and over 180 cancer researchers.
The event, hosted by the Irish Cancer Society’s Head of Research, Dr Claire Kilty, celebrates some of the amazing work in cancer research being carried out by nominees around Ireland, funded by the Irish Cancer Society.
Among those to claim top honours were Translational and Clinical Project of the Year Award winner, Dr Karen Slattery, whose research identified new therapeutic targets for the treatment of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Translational research looks at applying laboratory findings to real-world settings, to treat or prevent human disease.
Translational and Clinical Project of the Year Award winner, Dr Karen Slattery, said: “My research is focused on understanding how ovarian cancer impacts the immune system. We observed that ovarian cancer patients have dysfunctional immune cells, including important cancer-fighting immune cells called Natural Killer cells and T cells.
“By studying the makeup of abdominal fluid that has cancer cells from ovarian cancer patients, we were able to identify a specific type of fat molecule, known as a phospholipid, that is a key driver of this immune dysfunction.
“Importantly, blocking the uptake of this phospholipid into Natural Killer cells was able to restore their ability to kill cancer cells. These findings may guide the design of future immunotherapies for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.
“Winning this Irish Cancer Society Research Award is a deeply humbling and significant milestone in my career as a scientist. It is an honour to receive recognition for the years of hard work I’ve put into this research.
“Working on this project has been incredibly rewarding, and I am proud of the contribution we’ve made to the field of ovarian cancer research.”
Jennifer Fitzpatrick, PhD Researcher of the Year Award winner
The prize of PhD Researcher of the Year went to Jennifer Fitzpatrick. Jennifer’s project, called ‘The CHildhood and adolescent cancer survivors’ physical Activity and Movement Programme’ (CHAMPs) is a global first of its kind. The programme was developed, in collaboration with families, to support young people (aged 10 to 19 years) who have had cancer. CHAMPs is a free, personalised, 12-week physical activity programme, based entirely in the young person’s’ home and guided by their ability and interests for activity.
PhD Researcher of the Year Award winner, Jennifer Fitzpatrick, who is based in the Technological University of the Shannon, said: “Receiving a nomination for an Irish Cancer Society Research Award is such an honour. It recognises me dedicating the last four years of my work to improving the lives of young people who have had cancer. Seeing first-hand the impact CHAMPs can have on families is incredibly emotional, but also extremely rewarding.
“I am truly grateful for the platform to develop a global first-of-its-kind programme for young people who have had cancer, but to also be recognised for this achievement is such a privilege.”
Congratulating the winners, Irish Cancer Society Head of Research Dr Claire Kilty said: “Cancer research in Ireland has a huge impact on the lives of people affected by cancer. It is a driving force in improving not only treatments and outcomes, but in quality of life beyond cancer. It was fantastic to get an appreciation of the amazing cancer research projects currently happening right across the country.
“We are proud to be the largest voluntary funder of cancer research in Ireland. However, none of the vital research we fund would be possible without the support of the public, especially on days like Daffodil Day. We would encourage everyone to please get out there and support Daffodil Day in whatever way you can on March 28th.”
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