Our programmes

Simon is a Principal Group Leader & Assistant Research Director for Translation at the Francis Crick Institute in London and Chief Translation Advisor for Cancer Research UK with over 30 years’ experience studying mechanisms of DNA repair and telomere maintenance. Over the years Simon’s lab has discovered new DNA repair/telomere genes and provided novel insights into human diseases including cancer. In 2016, Simon helped to establish Artios Pharma Ltd where he functioned as VP of Science Strategy alongside his academic roles at the Francis Crick Institute and Cancer Research UK.

Benura obtained her PhD in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Professor David Leach. She completed her postdoctoral training at the National Cancer Institute (NIH) in the laboratory of Dr Eros Lazzerini Denchi, where she investigated the regulation of alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) and identified potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in ALT-dependent cancers. In 2025, she joined the Francis Crick Institute, supporting Simon Boulton’s translational research efforts focused on targeting ALT in cancer.

Pete joined the Chemical Biology STP of the Francis Crick Institute in 2024, following a four year industry-academia fellowship carried out at the Crick. Prior to this Pete worked in early stage drug discovery at GSK for over 20 years, contributing to and leading projects in a range of therapy areas, including immuno-inflammation, infection and oncology. Pete carried out his PhD in biochemistry and enzymology with Professor Luiz Sorio Carvalho at the MRC National Institute of Medicinal Research.

Rob carried out a DPhil in chemistry under the supervision of Professor Paul Brennan at the University of Oxford, working on the development of small molecule treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. He completed a brief postdoc with Professor Brennan at the ARUK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute before joining the Chemical Biology STP of the Francis Crick Institute in 2023 as a senior medicinal chemist.

Stéphane obtained his PhD in Biochemistry and Crystallography at the CNRS, University of Paris-Saclay, where he studied the enzymatic mechanism of Glucosamine-6-Phosphate Synthase. He completed his postdoctoral training at the CRUK-London Research Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Neil McDonald, focusing on the structural analysis of actin-binding proteins. Following a role as Head of the Protein Structure Unit at CRUK, London, he joined the Francis Crick Institute’s Structural Biology Science Technology Platform to support the institute’s drug discovery projects.