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31st March 2021

DATA-CAN’s Scientific Director wins prestigious award for outstanding contribution to cancer research and care

Professor Mark Lawler has received the ‘Irish Association for Cancer Research Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Medicine and Research’ Award.

Professor Mark Lawler, DATA-CAN’s Scientific Director and Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor and Professor of Digital Health at Queen’s University Belfast, has received the prestigious ‘Irish Association for Cancer Research Outstanding Contribution to Cancer Medicine and Research’ Award. The award recognises Professor Lawler’s exceptional contribution to cancer research and cancer care on the island of Ireland.

As the current Scientific Director of DATA-CAN, Professor Lawler’s work with his colleagues on COVID-19 and its impact on cancer has received international attention. Based on his work, he was invited to co-chair the European Cancer Organisation’s Special Focussed Network on COVID-19 and Cancer, which under his stewardship launched its 7-Point Plan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on cancer services and cancer patients. He also led the Critical Gaps in Colorectal Cancer Research Initiative, which has defined research priorities in this common cancer over the next decade. His work on cancer inequalities received the prestigious European Health Award in 2018.

Professor Lawler’s work was instrumental in driving the recent commitment to the Ireland-Northern Ireland-US National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Consortium by the Ministers for Health in Ireland and Northern Ireland and the Director of the NCI.

Professor Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast, said,

“Professor Lawler’s contributions to cancer research have significantly advanced our understanding of cancer, and his person focused approach has set the standard for cancer care, putting the patient at the centre of all we do. His innovative vision has paved the way for new and exciting international collaborations.”

Professor Mark Lawler said,

“I am incredibly humbled to be receiving this prestigious award. The recognition of your peers is a very special honour for me. But this award also recognises the many talented scientists and doctors whom it has been my pleasure to work with and most importantly the patients whom it has been my privilege to both work with and represent throughout my career.”