Welsh politicians learn about vital cancer research work at Bangor

The cutting edge research work on cancer being carried out in the School of Medical Sciences was highlighted to senior Plaid Cymru politicians during a recent visit to the North West Cancer Research Institute.

Sian Gwenllian, Plaid Cymru’s Arfon Assembly candidate, Shadow Health Minister Elin Jones and Arfon AM Alun Ffred Jones met Edgar Hartsuiker, Senior Lecturer in Cancer Biology, Chairman and Group Leader and Professor Dean Williams, Professor of Surgery and Head of the School of Medical Sciences. Professor Williams is also Consultant Vascular and General Surgeon at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

The North West Cancer Research Fund Institute is a centre of excellence for molecular cancer studies and provides students with opportunities to work on vital research projects as part of undergraduate and postgraduate courses taught in the School of Medical Sciences.

Sian Gwenllian, whose husband and father both died of cancer, said: “Most families know someone who has been touched by cancer so the research work on this terrible disease being carried out at the institute is crucial. I was hugely impressed by what is being done and it was great to see the close working relationship between the institute, Bangor University, BCUHB and the students.”

Prof. Williams commented “As a school and indeed as a university we carry out research of the very highest calibre in a wide range of medical and health related fields. These sorts of visits are an important part of showcasing this excellence beyond academia and to inform policy makers of the latest developments in the fight against Cancer.”

Publication date: 22 January 2016