Dr Lloyd-Lewis secured an esteemed 8-year Wellcome Trust Career Development Award, which recognises mid-career researchers who have the potential to be international research leaders. This award aims to support researchers in driving ambitious programs of work that lead to substantial shifts in understanding that could have significant implications for human health.
Stem and progenitor cells play pivotal roles in organ formation during embryo development, tissue repair, and regeneration throughout adulthood. Additionally, their involvement in cancer development and therapy resistance is increasingly established. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanical forces significantly influence cell identity, with tissue stiffness and scarring also impacting tumour development. Dr. Lloyd-Lewis will leverage this funding to integrate cutting-edge techniques in stem cell and developmental biology with biophysics and mathematical modelling to advance our understanding of how the physical properties of tissues influence dynamic stem cell fate decisions during normal organ development, and how abnormal tissue mechanics contribute to early cancer initiation.