Dr Helen Parker is a Senior Research Fellow, within Cancer Sciences at the University of Southampton. Dr Parker is a molecular biologist, whose research focuses on advancing our understanding of cancer biology and providing mechanistic insights that are enhancing risk stratification, prognosis, and the treatment of haematological malignancies
Dr Parker graduated from the University of Southampton with a degree in Biochemistry in 2002, then joined the University’s Leukaemia Research Fund Cytogenetics Group as a research assistant. Whilst working within the group, Dr Parker completed a PhD in the genetic profiling of haematological malignancies, then began her post-Doctoral career working with Professor Jon Strefford, to establish the Cancer Genomics group. Fourteen years later, Dr Parker is the Senior Research Scientist for the group. Focussing on B-cell malignancies, including CLL and SMZL, Dr Parker employs a plethora of genomic approaches to dissect the human genome and its epigenetic regulation. Through biomarker discovery and validation, and enhancing our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and pathways dysregulated in malignancy, the Cancer Genomics group aims to transform the management of cancer patients by improving diagnosis, risk stratification and the development of targeted treatments.