Professor of Cancer Genetic & Applied Epidemiology
Email: amd24@cam.ac.uk
Background
Professor Dunning has spent almost all her career investigating the genetic epidemiology of common diseases; She did her PhD in cardiovascular genetics at UCL before moving to Cambridge to work on the genetics of hormonal cancers. She set up and continues to manage the wet-lab team within the CCGE. She was appointed Reader in Cancer Molecular Genetics in 2016 and Professor of Cancer Genetic & Applied Epidemiology in 2022. Disabled by autoimmune arthritis since 2012, she is the current University Disability and Wellbeing Champion.
Research
Professor Dunning’s research focuses on the following areas:
Since 2003 our wet-lab team have conducted the high-throughput genetic analysis that underpins the work done by the statistical and epidemiological teams within the CCGE and in international cancer consortia. Specifically our team are responsible for biological sample collection and curation in addition to high-throughput genotyping using both SNP-Chips and targeted sequencing used within the following consortia and individual studies:
Specific programmes of work include:
Breast Cancer Association Consortium (BCAC): an international collaboration of more than 100 research studies. As a founder member of BCAC, Professor Dunning has helped lead the fine-scale mapping of breast cancer risk loci, with the aim of defining the many genetic risk variants that are directly responsible of altering risk of breast cancer.
Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 (CIMBA): investigation of genetic and other modifiers of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer risks for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers.
Confluence: The Confluence project will develop a large research resource to uncover breast cancer genetics through genome-wide association studies (GWAS).
BRIDGES: Breast Cancer Risk after Diagnostic Gene Sequencing
Early Detection (incorporating EMBED): Professor Dunning supports our patient representatives while our wet-lab team manage the sample collection within this newly refunded program.
RadioGenomics Consortium (RGC): Professor Dunning used experience gained within the BCAC to help set up this growing international consortium.
Teaching & Administrative Roles
Professor Dunning taught on the Certificate in Genetics at the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education from 2007 to 2022. From 2019 to 2024 she served as Director of Graduate Studies for the Oncology Department and continues to act as formal supervisor for the CRUK Cambridge Cancer Centre students in their initial MRes year.
Since 2021, Professor Dunning has Co-Chaired the Disabled Staff Network, and as University Disability Champion, she represents disabled staff within the Clinical School and on the University Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (ED&I) Committee. She has a particular interest in tackling workplace bullying and applies her epidemiological experience to encourage staff and students, from very diverse backgrounds, to feel they can belong in this tradition-filled University.
Publications
For a full list of Publications, please go to: Professor Alison M Dunning - Google Scholar