Following the presentation of this year’s British Neuro-Oncology Society (BNOS) Young Investigator of the Year Award, we sat down with the winner, Dr Phoebe McCrorie, to find out more about her groundbreaking work and how her research will go on to help patients.
What is your current role, and what is your research about?
"I am a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Nottingham and currently funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC). I am studying how well drugs can penetrate brain tissue when delivered locally, focusing on treating a type of brain cancer known as IDH-wildtype glioblastoma."
Can you share your accomplishments in neuro-oncology research so far?
"I have always worked in neuro-oncology research, from my PhD project to four-and-a-half years as a postdoctoral researcher. I began looking at drug delivery systems against IDH-wild type glioblastoma as a part of my PhD, before discovering potential new drugs against paediatric hindbrain tumours.
"I have just finished a four-year post, funded by The Little Princess Trust, which investigated druggable targets against group 3 medulloblastoma (MB) and atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours (ATRT). We studied how the genes in certain brain tumour cells (MB and ATRT) changed when they were grown with healthy brain cells. By targeting these genetic changes, we found two drug combinations that worked well together to fight these tumour cells, including cells taken directly from patients. Testing these drug combinations in live models to see if they are safe and effective has just begun.
"In my current MRC-funded position, I use a technique called Orbitrap Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (OrbiSIMS) to detect tiny amounts of drugs and map their exact locations within brain tissue. This helps us understand how certain drugs penetrate the brain."
How will your research go on to help patients?
"It is my hope that the research I do will one day help patients suffering with brain tumours. Through collaboration, I hope that some of the drugs and/or drug targets we discover will be utilised in clinics, offering patients longer survival times and a better quality of life, which is desperately needed for patients with high-grade brain tumours."
What motivated you to pursue a career in neuro-oncological research?
"Cancer research was a goal of mine throughout my undergraduate degree, which is why I undertook a PhD in neuro-oncological research. High-grade brain tumours have historically dismal survival times and this needs to change, and I hope to be a part of this change through the research career I am pursuing."
How do you feel about being BNOS Young Investigator of the Year 2025?
"I am extremely grateful and proud to be chosen as the 2025 BNOS Young Investigator of the Year. The previous Young Investigators have carried out incredible research and have gone on to successful careers in neuro-oncology, which is something I aspire to do. I feel very lucky to be recognised for the work I have carried out so far and what I plan to do in the future."
If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting their research career, what would it be?
"I have been very fortunate to have fantastic peers and mentors throughout my research career. My advice is to find someone who supports your progression throughout each stage of your career and who allows you to grow. Also, research can be difficult, so having passion for your work is essential. Use this passion to drive you to getting involved in more than just your research, for example generating collaborations, joining committees, and meeting fellow peers."
Congratulations to Dr Phoebe McCrorie on this well-deserved recognition. We eagerly anticipate the impact of her research on the future of neuro-oncology.
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