St Cross Alumnus Awarded Francis Crick Medal for Groundbreaking Cancer Research

St Cross College is delighted to share that alumnus Professor Sam Behjati has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Francis Crick Medal and Lecture by the Royal Society, in recognition of his pioneering research into the developmental origins of childhood cancer.

Professor Behjati studied Clinical Medicine at St Cross from 2003 to 2006. He now holds dual roles as Group Leader at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and Clinical Professor of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Cambridge, where he also completed his doctorate.

His research has transformed the understanding of how childhood cancers arise, using cutting-edge genomic techniques to trace their origins back to early developmental stages. This work has not only deepened scientific knowledge but also opened new avenues for early diagnosis and targeted therapies. Professor Behjati’s approach combines rigorous data science with a compassionate focus on improving outcomes for young patients.

His Francis Crick Lecture, titled Unravelling the Origins of Childhood Cancer, was delivered at the Royal Society on 10 October 2025 and was livestreamed for a global audience. More information, as well as a recording of the lecture, can be found on the Royal Society’s website here.

St Cross warmly congratulates Professor Behjati on this distinguished honour and celebrates his continued impact on medical science and child health, as well as the immense pride that he brings to the entire St Cross community.