Manchester cancer professor elected to Learned Society of Wales

Professor Gareth Evans, a leading breast cancer geneticist and Consultant in Manchester University Foundation Trust’s (MFT) Division of Genomic Medicine at Saint Mary’s Hospital, has been elected as a fellow for the prestigious Learned Society of Wales.

The Society aims to promote excellence and scholarship across a range of disciplines, inspire learning, and benefit the nation, by championing scholarly activity and research.

Also Professor in Medical Genetics and Cancer Epidemiology at The University of Manchester, Gareth was nominated to the society by Professor Meena Upadhyaya from Cardiff University, for his outstanding contribution to research into hereditary cancer and its epidemiology over the last 30 years.

The fellowship includes academics, researchers and professionals from across Welsh and UK institutions, who are prominent figures in their field and play a significant role in Welsh public life. It elected 43 new fellows in 2020, including Professor Evans, with the Society now having 563 fellows to date.

Gareth has worked for the Trust for 30 years and runs clinics at Saint Mary’s, The Christie and the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital.

Professor Evans, who is also Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Theme Lead for the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, said:

“I’m delighted to have been elected into this prestigious fellowship, and to join so many distinguished medics, academics and other professionals who have done so much to further learning and research in Wales.”

“My Welsh heritage and culture, and improving services for women at risk of breast cancer are hugely important to me, and it’s an honour to be recognised for both of these things with this honour.”

As well as supporting women screened for breast cancer in family history clinics, he has an international reputation in clinical research for cancer genetics, genomics, and Neurofibromatosis. His research focuses on improving screening services and genetic testing to identify risk of the disease.

As well as lecturing around the world, he has published several papers within this field, developed national training programmes in breast cancer screening, and has sat on several national committees in cancer screening, including for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Speaking on the latest intake of fellows, Welsh Learned Society President Sir Emyr Jones Parry said:

“‘I am delighted to see the election of 43 new fellows, showing again the talent connected with Wales, which will reinforce the work of the Society, recognising excellence, promoting research and putting our expertise at the disposal of the nation.

As part of the Fellowship, Professor Evans will help shape the Society’s work, take part in public lectures, events, and school activities organised by the society, as well as elect new fellows, and provide advice and policy briefings related to his work.