Supernumerary Fellow Professor Yang Shi Wins Prestigious Leopold Griffuel Award

Professor Yang Shi (FRS, FMedSci, member, US National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts and Sciences) Supernumerary Fellow of Exeter College and Professor of Epigenetics at the University of Oxford, has been honoured with the 53rd ARC Foundation Leopold Griffuel Award for Basic Research. The accolade, shared with Professor Giacomo Cavalli of the University of Montpellier, celebrates pioneering work in cancer research.

The Leopold Griffuel Award, among the most prestigious in the field of oncology, recognises outstanding contributions to fundamental cancer research. Professor Shi was selected for his groundbreaking discoveries in epigenetic regulation and its implications for cancer development. His research has uncovered critical mechanisms by which gene expression is controlled without altering DNA sequences, particularly through the action of histone demethylases.

Professor Shi joined the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at Oxford in 2020 and has since led a laboratory exploring how epigenetic changes influence cancer cell identity and progression. His early discovery of the first histone lysine demethylase, LSD1, launched a new field in cancer epigenetics and laid the groundwork for novel therapeutic strategies. His current research continues to explore the intersection of RNA modifications and chromatin biology, offering new avenues for targeted cancer therapies.

Commenting on the award, Professor Shi noted that the honour reflects the collaborative spirit and innovation of his research team, past and present. “This recognition is a testament to decades of teamwork and scientific curiosity,” he said.

Exeter College congratulates Professor Shi on this distinguished achievement.

For more on Professor Shi’s work, visit the Ludwig Oxford and NDM websites.