Moorfields fellow honoured

Clinical research fellow at Moorfields Eye Hospital, Dr John Bladen, has been named the recipient of the 2017 Moorfields research medal.

Receiving the award at the hospital’s annual alumni meeting, the accolade recognises “the most outstanding research being carried out by trainees at Moorfields and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.”

Dr Bladen receives the medal for his ongoing research into eyelid cancer, which aims to improve understanding of how and why cancer develops.

The fellow’s research involves dissecting the molecular pathways of aggressive eyelid cancers with a view to identifying new anti-cancer therapies. To date, Dr Bladen has identified genes that promote tumour growth in basal cell carcinoma, one of the most common types of skin cancers. He has also identified genes in the tissue surrounding the growth that had previously been considered non-cancerous.

Speaking about receiving the award, Dr John Bladen said: “I am delighted that my research has been recognised by the Moorfields alumni association. It’s an honour to receive this prestigious award and to join past recipients who I have long admired and respected.

“I hope that my research will improve our pathological understanding of eyelid cancers and lead to the development of less invasive treatments in the future.”

Dr John Bladen’s research is part-funded by the Fight for Sight clinical fellowship award. It is also supported by the Moorfields Eye Charity, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.