Samra Turajlic is Group Leader at the CRUK Manchester Institute. Her overarching aim is to deliver fundamental and clinically applicable insights into cancer evolution across initiation, metastasis, and therapy. She proposed the first evolutionary classification of cancer by identifying conserved patterns of mutation ordering, epistasis, and parallel evolution in renal cell carcinoma, demonstrating their predictive value for patient outcomes. During the pandemic, she led the world’s largest immune-profiling study in cancer patients, shaping vaccine scheduling and booster policy.
Her commitment to patient engagement is evident in her work with advocacy groups, trustee roles in two charities, leadership within Cancer Research UK, and regular contributions to media and public events, helping to demystify cancer research and build public trust in science.