Chris obtained his PhD in oncology in 1984 from Manchester University for his work on monoclonal antibodies to study DNA damage and repair. After post-doctoral research in France and The Netherlands he worked as a scientist at the World Health Organization’s cancer agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). In 1996 he took up the Chair of Molecular Epidemiology at the University of Leeds later becoming Director of the Leeds Institute of Genetics, Health and Therapeutics. He was elected Director of IARC from 2009 and served a maximum two five-year terms of office, leading the organisation in a mission of “cancer research for cancer prevention”. Upon leaving IARC he was awarded the IARC Medal of Honour and the title Emeritus Director.
His main research interest has been to understand the interplay between environmental and genetic risk factors in the causation of human cancer. He established the concept of the “exposome” to complement the genome, an initiative which has led to a new field of exposome research. He has published over 300 scientific articles, edited two editions of the World Cancer Report and been the recipient of a number of awards for his scientific work.
Chris has held a long-standing interest in how Christian beliefs and values can help shape the pursuit and understanding of science and its applications; he enjoys engaging with people of all faiths or none on this subject matter. He is currently finalising a book titled Unravelling DNA: Applying Christian Values in a Genetic Age.
